Energy giants AGL, Origin, and EnergyAustralia have confirmed they will lift prices across most states, with some households facing increases of more than $300 a year. The sharpest rises are expected in New South Wales, South Australia, and the ACT.
It’s yet another blow for families already managing rising mortgage repayments, grocery costs, and fuel prices, and one that industry experts say is pushing many to look for more permanent solutions.
“Every year we hear that power prices are going up, and every year it catches families off guard,” says Chantha Lake, Managing Director of SunEnergy. “What’s different now is that families finally have more control. New federal battery subsidies and long-term energy plans are giving people a real chance to step off the hamster wheel.”
The new federal battery subsidy, introduced earlier this year, covers up to 50% of the cost of a home battery system. Combined with the growing availability of solar and battery subscription models like SunPlus, households are starting to take a second look at how they buy their power.
“We’ve seen a sharp increase in demand,” says John Daly, SunEnergy’s Head of Installations. “Families who would never have considered solar and battery before are now calling us daily, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s become a necessity.”
SunPlus, SunEnergy’s long-term solar and battery subscription, offers households the ability to fix their electricity costs, with no upfront payment. The company says customers on these plans are shielded from market volatility and rising retailer prices.
“We’re installing systems for people who are fed up. They want certainty,” John adds. “SunPlus gives them that, it locks in a low rate and they don’t have to worry about maintenance or surprise price hikes.”
While subscription plans aren’t new, the combination of federal subsidies, rising energy prices, and new technologies is making them more accessible, and more urgent.
Chantha says this shift represents a broader change in how Australians think about power.
“We’ve reached a tipping point,” she explains. “Electricity can no longer be treated as an untouchable cost. With the right setup, households can take back control, and protect themselves now and into the future.”
Despite the momentum, Chantha is quick to acknowledge that more work needs to be done to make energy savings accessible to all Australians.
“We’re now focusing on solutions for renters,” she says. “Because this isn’t just a homeowner issue. Everyone deserves access to affordable, reliable energy, and that includes people who don’t own the roof over their head.”
With the federal government’s quarterly rebate of $75 kicking in from July 1, some relief is on the way. But for many families, it won’t go far enough.
“Government rebates help,” says John. “But they don’t fix the core issue, reliance on a retail energy market that keeps pushing prices up. What we’re offering is a way out of that cycle.”
As households prepare for another round of energy hikes, the message from industry insiders is clear: the old way isn’t working. And while change won’t happen overnight, it’s no longer out of reach.
