How to read your electricity Bill

1. Your account summary
Your account summary details your electricity charges, including what you owe, recent payments, overdue amounts, adjustments, discounts, and rebates.

2. Tariff or plan name
This is the name of the tariff or plan you are on. .Your tariff or plan name is usually on the front page of your bill.

3. Government energy concessions
If you are receiving a government energy concession, the concession amount will be displayed as a credit (an amount paid back to you) on your bill.

4. Retailer contact details
Your retailer is the company that bills you for your electricity.

5. Distributor contact details
Some retailers provide their distributor's name and contact information. Others list the distributor's phone number as the contact for faults and emergencies. Your electricity distributor is responsible for the poles and wires connecting your property to the network. For any electricity faults or emergencies, contact your distributor directly.

6. Electricity usage comparison and history
Your electricity bill may contain a graph or table comparing your energy consumption to similar households nearby. Some providers also illustrate changes in your usage over time. Additionally, your bill will detail your usage and supply information.

7. Electricity connection information
Your bill contains information about the electricity connection at your address and when your meter is read. National Meter Identifier (NMI) is a unique 10 or 11 digit number assigned to the electricity connection at your address. Your NMI isn’t the same as your electricity meter number(s).

8. Electricity usage
The usage information you see will depend on the type of electricity meter you have and the type of plan you are on.

9. Meter readings
Your energy bill typically provides a breakdown of your consumption based on meter readings. This usage is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). The bill might also include details about the meter reading's quality. For instance, an "A" often indicates an 'actual' reading taken directly from your meter. Conversely, an "E" or similar usually signifies an 'estimate', meaning your usage was estimated for that billing period.

10. Rates and charges
Electricity consumption is typically billed at a rate (often called a tariff), in cents per kilowatt-hour. Your electricity bill will detail the specific rates applicable to your usage and the total cost in dollars. The rate charged may vary depending on the time of day the electricity is used.

11. Controlled load
If you see controlled load on your bill, it means electricity usage for one of your appliances, such as a hot water service or under floor heating, is charged at a different rate to your general usage. These rates are usually lower as they only apply to appliances that run overnight or in off-peak times. Controlled load can also be referred to as dedicated circuit consumption or off-peak.

12. Supply charge (Service to a property)
This fixed daily fee, also known as a daily supply charge, applies regardless of your electricity consumption. It covers the cost of supplying electricity to your property and is charged for every day of your billing period.

13. Solar feed-in tariffs
If you have solar panels and are on a solar plan, your bill will show any credits you receive from government solar feed-in and retailer schemes you qualify for. These credits represent money paid back to you.

14. Payment information
Retailers typically offer various bill payment methods. Be aware that some options may involve extra charges, so carefully review the terms and conditions for each. If you're struggling to pay your bill, contact your retailer promptly to discuss your situation.