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In July 2019, the Default Market Offer (DMO) was introduced to home and small business electricity customers in NSW, SA and South East QLD.
What’s changing?
From 1 July 2026, the DMO has been expanded for residential and small business customers and now includes;
- regulated flat rate tariffs
- regulated time of use tariffs
- regulated residential controlled load
- non-regulated small business controlled load
- demand tariffs
- non-regulated comparison prices
- a specific Solar Sharer offer for residential customers with smart meters
The DMO is determined by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for each electricity distribution area in NSW, SA and South East QLD. It is based on benchmark household and business usage and is generally updated on a yearly basis.
The DMO acts as a maximum price for a retailer's electricity standing offers, as well as a comparison price for comparing a retailer's electricity market offers.
For more information about the DMO, visit Australian Energy Regulator website.
The DMO was introduced by the Federal government to set a limit on the price for standing offers. It also acts as a comparison price designed to make it easier for consumers and business to compare energy plans across different providers.
Your energy distributor is the company responsible for the poles, wires and gas pipes in your area. You’ll find the name of your distributor at the top right-hand side of your energy bill.
There are five electricity network areas impacted by the DMO across three states.
NSW
QLD
SA
Electricity plans are now easy to compare – just look at the percentage difference from the comparison price.
A tariff is a way we charge you for the electricity you use. Tariffs are typically made up of supply and usage charges.
The DMO applies to electricity customers in NSW, SA and South East QLD:
On a Standing Offer Home electricity plan with:
- a flat rate and/or a controlled load
- a time of use rate with or without a controlled load
- a Solar Sharer Offer for customers with smart meters
- demand tariff
On a Standing Offer Business electricity plan with:
- a flat rate
- a time of use rate
The DMO does not apply to:
- Residential or small business electricity customers on a market plan, which is an energy plan typically with a benefit or incentive (e.g. a discount or a credit to your bill) for a fixed amount of time.
- Gas accounts including bulk hot water
- Small business electricity controlled load
- Embedded networks
- Prepayment meter tariff
- Standing Offer Home or Standing Offer Business electricity plans in Victoria or the Australian Capital Territory.
This is a type of electricity infrastructure generally managed by the building owner. A person living in an apartment complex, retirement home, caravan park or tenant in a shopping centre may be receiving their electricity via an embedded network.
In VIC, it’s called the Victorian Default Offer. Find out more.
In the ACT, it’s called the reference price. Find out more.
No, the DMO doesn’t apply to gas.