Key Points
- At least 11 retailers and one federal scheme now offer free electricity windows across Australia, mostly between 11am and 3pm.
- NSW, SA and Queensland get the federal Solar Sharer scheme on top of retailer plans; WA and the NT have no free window plans.
- Supply charges and peak rates still apply outside the free window, and vary by network.
This is zecar's national guide to every free electricity plan in Australia, covering the federal Solar Sharer scheme and offers from major retailers, broken down by free window, daily cap and state availability.
Free electricity plans have become widely available, particularly for households that can shift usage into the middle of the day. Electric vehicle owners, home battery users, and anyone who can run appliances during a set window all stand to benefit.
Free Electricity Plans in Australia Compared
There are currently 12 free electricity offers across 11 energy retailers, plus the federal Solar Sharer scheme, available to households in Australia. Coverage is strongest in NSW, SA and Queensland, where the federal scheme adds to retailer plans. Victoria has no federal scheme but the widest range of retailer offers, and Western Australia and the Northern Territory currently have no free electricity window plans at all.
Free Electricity Plan Availability by State
State | Solar Sharer Scheme | Retailer Plans | Details |
NSW | ✅ | ✅ | Federal Solar Sharer scheme plus multiple retailer plans |
SA | ✅ | ✅ | Federal Solar Sharer scheme (12pm to 3pm) |
QLD | ✅ | ✅ | South East Queensland is covered by most plans, regional Queensland has limited options |
VIC | ❌ | ✅ | No federal scheme, but the widest range of retailer offers |
ACT | ❌ | ✅ | No federal scheme, weekend-only free electricity options available |
TAS | ❌ | ✅ | No daily free window plans, but Aurora Energy offers free Power Hour events |
WA and NT | ❌ | ❌ | No free electricity window plans currently available |
Use our EV Energy Compare tool to find the best plan for your address, or check out the full list below.
The table below lists every free electricity plan zecar tracks as of August 2026, including the federal Solar Sharer scheme and offers from retailers across the country.
Free Electricity Plans Compared
Retailer / Plan | Free Window | States | Daily Free Cap | Requirements |
Federal Scheme - Solar Sharer Offer | 11am-2pm (NSW/QLD), 12pm-3pm (SA) | NSW, SA, QLD | 24kWh | 📟 Smart meter |
Flow Power - 4Free | 11am-3pm | VIC, NSW, SA, QLD | 32kWh | ❓ Not stated |
Diamond Energy - Everyday + Daylight Tariff | 11am-2pm (NSW/QLD), 12pm-3pm (SA) | NSW, SA, QLD | 24kWh | 📟 Smart meter |
GloBird - ZEROHERO | 12pm-3pm | VIC, NSW, SA, QLD | 50kWh/day (1,500kWh over 30 days) | 🔋 Home battery |
GloBird - FOUR4FREE | 11am-3pm | VIC, NSW, SA, QLD | 50kWh/day (1,500kWh over 30 days) | 📟 Smart meter |
CovaU - SolarMax | 11am-2pm | NSW, SA, QLD | 50kWh | ☀️ Solar |
OVO - The Free 4 Plan | 11am-3pm | VIC, NSW, SA, QLD | No cap (subject to fair use policy) | ❓ Not stated |
Ergon Energy - Solar Sharer (Tariff 12F) | 11am-2pm | Regional QLD | 24kWh | ☀️ Solar + smart meter |
Powershop - EV Day | 12pm-2pm | VIC, NSW, SA, QLD | Not published | ❓ Not stated |
Red Energy - EV Saver | 12pm-2pm (weekends) | VIC, NSW, SA, QLD, ACT | No cap | ❓ Not stated |
ActewAGL - evEnergy Saver | 12pm-2pm (weekends) | ACT | Not published | 🚗 EV + smart meter |
Aurora Energy - Power Hours | Event-based | TAS | No cap | ❓ Not stated |
EXPERT TIP
These free windows only tell part of the story. Supply charges apply every day regardless of usage, and the peak and off-peak rates that apply outside each free window vary by network and retailer. When comparing plans, weigh the free window alongside the rest of the rate card, not just the free hours on offer.
How to Choose the Best Free Electricity Plan
The right free electricity plan depends on when you can actually use the free window, your state, and whether you have an EV, solar, or a home battery. Here's a breakdown of which plans suit different households.
Best for Daytime EV Charging
If you can plug in during the middle of the day, these plans offer the longest free windows:
- OVO | The Free 4 Plan (free 11am-3pm, no daily cap, subject to fair use policy)
- Flow Power | 4Free (free 11am-3pm, 32kWh daily cap)
- GloBird | FOUR4FREE (free 11am-3pm, 50kWh/day cap)
The example below shows how a daytime free window works in practice: usage is free during the set hours, then reverts to the standard flat rate for the rest of the day.
Get a quote for OVO's The Free 4 Plan
Best for Home Battery Owners
For households with a home battery that can be topped up during the day:
- GloBird | ZEROHERO (free 12pm-3pm, requires a home battery, 50kWh/day cap)
Best for Solar Households
These plans are built around households that already have solar and want a matching daytime rate:
- CovaU | SolarMax (free 11am-2pm, requires solar, 50kWh cap)
- Diamond Energy | Everyday + Daylight Tariff (free 11am-2pm NSW/QLD, 12pm-3pm SA, 24kWh cap)
Best for Weekend-Only Charging
If you mainly use power on Saturdays and Sundays, these plans offer a free weekend window:
- Red Energy | EV Saver (free 12pm-2pm weekends, no cap)
- ActewAGL | evEnergy Saver (free 12pm-2pm weekends, ACT only, requires EV and smart meter)
Best for Regional Queensland
Regional Queensland has fewer options than the South East, but Ergon Energy offers a dedicated solar tariff:
- Ergon Energy | Solar Sharer (Tariff 12F) (free 11am-2pm, requires solar and a smart meter, 24kWh cap)
BONUS TIP
A free window only helps if you can actually use it. Scheduling appliances and EV charging to start right when the free period opens, rather than partway through, makes the most of a short daytime window.
Finding the Best Deal for Your Address
Free window plans vary by network and postcode. Use zecar's EV Energy Compare tool or the Federal Government's Energy Made Easy website to compare offers for your specific address.
Get a quote for OVO's The Free 4 PlanWho Should Consider Switching
These plans can work exceptionally well if you:
- Charge an EV during the day
- Run appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, or pool pumps during the free period
- Have a home battery and can load it up during the free window
If you're mainly charging overnight, it's worth comparing dedicated EV plans instead of focusing solely on free electricity plans. Overnight EV tariffs often deliver a lower effective rate for high-mileage drivers who cannot shift charging into the middle of the day.
FAQ: Solar Sharer Offer vs Retailer Plans
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
