Off-peak electricity times in Australia

Peak and off-peak times depend on your network and retailer. Here are the most common times on current time-of-use plans, network by network.

Key facts

  • On Ausgrid (NSW), the most common peak time on retailer time-of-use plans is 3pm–9pm, and the cheapest time is 9pm–3pm.
  • On Endeavour (NSW), the most common peak time on retailer time-of-use plans is 4pm–8pm, and the cheapest time is 10am–2pm.
  • On Energex (QLD), the most common peak time on retailer time-of-use plans is 4pm–9pm, and the cheapest time is 11am–4pm.
  • On Citipower (VIC), the most common peak time on retailer time-of-use plans is 4pm–9pm, and the cheapest time is 11am–4pm.
  • On SA Power Networks (SA), the most common peak time on retailer time-of-use plans is 6am–10am, 4pm–12am, and the cheapest time is 10am–4pm.
Weekday times on retailer time-of-use plans, 24 September 2026. Your plan's times are on your bill.
StateNetworkMost common peak timeMost common cheapest timePlans checked
New South WalesAusgrid3pm–9pm9pm–3pm406
New South WalesEndeavour4pm–8pm10am–2pm418
New South WalesEssential Energy7am–10am, 3pm–10pm10pm–7am, 10am–3pm282
New South WalesEssential Energy Far West7am–9am, 5pm–8pm10pm–7am255
QueenslandEnergex4pm–9pm11am–4pm251
QueenslandErgon4pm–9pm11am–4pm14
VictoriaAusNet Services4pm–9pm11am–4pm203
VictoriaCitipower4pm–9pm11am–4pm193
VictoriaJemena4pm–9pm11am–4pm190
VictoriaPowercor4pm–9pm11am–4pm196
VictoriaUnited Energy4pm–9pm11am–4pm197
South AustraliaSA Power Networks6am–10am, 4pm–12am10am–4pm154
the ACTEvoenergy7am–9am, 5pm–8pm10pm–7am86
TasmaniaTasNetworks7am–10am, 4pm–9pm9pm–7am, 10am–4pm18

Times are the most common across retailers' plans on each network and can differ on your plan. Check your energy fact sheet or bill.

Want the cheapest times to charge a car? See EV electricity plans. Want free power? See free electricity plans.

Common questions

What are off-peak electricity times?

Off-peak is the cheapest time of day on a time-of-use plan. The exact hours depend on your network and your retailer, but it's usually overnight, and on many newer plans it's also the middle of the day when solar floods the grid.

What are off-peak times in NSW?

It depends on your network. The table shows the most common peak and cheapest times on retailer plans for Ausgrid, Endeavour and Essential Energy.

What is a time-of-use tariff?

A time-of-use tariff charges different rates at different times of day: a high peak rate (usually late afternoon and evening), a cheaper off-peak rate and sometimes a shoulder rate in between. It's the default for homes with a smart meter in most states.