OVO Energy launched in Australia in late 2019 and has grown into a recognisable name in the residential electricity market. OVO Energy was acquired by AGL in April 2024 and currently operates across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.
If you are looking at OVO Energy Plans for the first time or trying to understand what you are already on, this blog explains the tariff types, key plan conditions, and what to watch out for before you sign up. At Connect With Us, we work with OVO as part of our panel of retailers and can help you compare their plans against other options in your area.
Where Is OVO Energy Available in Australia?
OVO Energy operates in four states:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
If you need to Connect Electricity Today at a new address in any of these states, OVO is one of the retailers we can connect you with quickly and without paperwork headaches. You can only sign up with OVO Energy if you have a smart meter installed. This is a firm requirement across all their plans. If you do not currently have one, OVO can arrange installation, but it is worth confirming this before you proceed. If you are in Western Australia, Tasmania, or the Northern Territory, OVO Energy is not available in your area.
What OVO Energy Plans Are Available?
OVO Energy offers several tariff options, including The One Plan, The Basic Plan, The Free 3 Plan, and The EV Plan. Each plan has different features and benefits, catering to various energy needs and lifestyles.
Here is a summary of each:
| Plan | Best For | Key Feature
|
|---|---|---|
| The One Plan | Most households | Single flat rate, no complicated tariffs |
| The Basic Plan | Budget-conscious customers | Simple structure, no extras |
| The Free 3 Plan | Daytime users | Free electricity, 11 am to 2 pm daily |
| The EV Plan | Electric vehicle owners | Off-peak rate of $0.045/kWh, midnight to 6 am |
How Does the One Plan Work?
The One Plan is OVO’s basic plan without unnecessary add-ons, offering a single rate for your energy usage. It is a great option if you are looking for a no-fuss plan with no complicated tariffs or discounts.
Key conditions:
- Single flat usage rate regardless of time of day
- Daily supply charge applies on top of usage
- 3% OVO Interest Reward paid on any credit balance in your account
- Solar feed-in tariff available in eligible states
- Smart meter required
Values are based on $550 per annum for The One Plan tariff using a $0.21780 per kWh unit rate and a $0.99 per day supply charge, based on a representative consumption of 4,000 kWh per annum. Actual rates vary by state, distributor zone, and postcode.
For customers moving into a new property who need electricity sorted fast, we offer AGL Same-Day Connection for eligible addresses so you are not left without power when you arrive.
What is the Free 3 Plan?
The Free 3 Plan is one of the more distinctive OVO Energy plans on the market in Australia right now. The Free 3 Plan offers free electricity from 11 am to 2 pm every day. Shift your energy use to daytime renewables and enjoy three hours of zero cents per kWh power, seven days a week. This plan works well for households that can shift energy-intensive tasks, such as running the dishwasher, washing machine, or pool pump, into the middle of the day. If your household is home during the day or has smart home automation, the savings can be meaningful over a full year.
Conditions to be aware of:
- A smart meter is required
- Usage rates outside the free window are higher than a standard flat-rate plan
- The benefit depends entirely on how much of your usage you can shift to the 11 am to 2 pm window
If your household uses most of its electricity in the morning or evening, the Free 3 Plan may not deliver the savings it appears to offer at first glance.
What is the EV plan, and who is it for?
For households with an electric vehicle, OVO’s EV Plan is worth a close look.
With the EV Plan, you get a rate of just $0.045/kWh between midnight and 6 am to charge your EV. You can connect your EV to the OVO app and access insights on your vehicle usage, charging, and spending.
Key conditions:
- Smart meter required
- App connectivity is currently available only to Tesla, Mini, and BMW customers
- A solar feed-in tariff is included for eligible customers
- Standard usage rates apply outside the off-peak charging window
A referral credit of $180, paid over 12 months, is available for both the referrer and the new customer when signing up to the EV Plan.
How Does OVO Handle Billing?
This is one of the more distinctive aspects of OVO Energy plans in Australia, and it catches some customers off guard. OVO Energy has a different payment method: compulsory bill smoothing, meaning the provider will estimate your annual usage and set up 12 equal monthly payments. This will help you avoid bill shock in summer and winter when you are likely using heating or cooling systems, but it does mean you pay more throughout the rest of the year. If your energy use changes, OVO spreads the costs or savings across the rest of your payments to keep things smooth. They also pay interest on any credit balances.
Bill smoothing is not optional with OVO. If you prefer quarterly billing or want to pay based on actual usage each period, a different retailer may suit you better. If you are unsure, our team at Connect With Us can walk you through how OVO’s billing compares to other retailers on our panel before you decide.
What Are OVO’s Solar Feed-In Tariff Rates?
OVO offers solar feed-in tariffs across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. OVO Energy offers solar feed-in tariffs typically around 8 to 12 cents per kWh in New South Wales. Actual rates depend on your plan and location. The same range applies in Victoria, with solar feed-in tariffs typically around 8 to 12 cents per kWh, varying depending on the plan, distributor zone, and size of your solar system. OVO Energy is not currently offering solar plans to new customers, but you can access a feed-in tariff on its normal electricity plans in eligible states.
What Should You Check Before Signing Up?
Before committing to any plan, check the following:
- Your smart meter status: OVO requires a smart meter across all plans. Confirm whether you already have one or if OVO will arrange installation.
- Your postcode eligibility: Not all distributor zones within the four states are covered. Enter your postcode on OVO’s website or through a comparison service to confirm availability.
- Your usage pattern: The Free 3 Plan suits households that can shift usage to midday. The EV Plan suits those with a compatible electric vehicle. The One Plan suits those who want simplicity.
- The bill smoothing structure: Monthly equal payments are compulsory. Factor this into your cash flow if you are used to quarterly billing.
- Feed-in tariff rates if you have solar: Rates vary by state and distributor zone. Compare OVO’s feed-in rate against other retailers before deciding.
Wrapping Up
If you are ready to Switch Electricity Providers and want to see how OVO Energy plans compare against other retailers on our panel, Connect With Us makes that straightforward. We compare plans from OVO and other leading Australian retailers based on your postcode, usage, and billing preferences. If you need an AGL same-day connection for a new address or simply want to connect electricity today without dealing with multiple retailers directly, call us on 1300 412 421 or visit Connectwithus.com.au. The whole process takes just a few minutes.