Spotting a Shooting Star is More Likely Than Paying a Fair Energy Bill in 2025
24th September 2025
By by FTMA Supporting Partner, Choice Energy
In 2025 you’re more likely to see a shooting star (30% chance) than receive a fair energy bill (20% chance).
The truth is, a fair energy bill has become harder to find than a shooting star.
In fact, Australians are paying the 4th highest energy bill in the world, following Germany, the UK and France. (refer to image).
For manufacturers such as yourselves, that’s more than just an amusing comparison and a startling statistic— it’s a serious cost issue that directly impacts margins and has a trickle-down effect to all areas of a business.
So what is a “fair energy bill”? That is, a bill that’s reasonable for what you use and doesn’t include any hidden, confusing or inflated charges.
Roughly only 1 in 5 businesses get a bill that could be considered “fair” under the current market conditions. Meanwhile, many are stuck paying far more than they should.
This matters more than you might realise.
So Why Few “Fair” Bills?
Energy is integrated into every household, every business, but no one actually has the time to go shopping around to find the best deal.
Wholesale costs (the price to generate electricity) and network costs (maintaining poles, wires, infrastructure) are rising— energy retailers feel the burn from this, but ultimately these costs are passed onto businesses to absorb.
Most businesses are on electricity contracts that don’t suit their usage patterns. Standing offers and default rates act as a safety net, but they’re rarely the cheapest option. Add in rising wholesale costs, network charges, hidden fees and complex tariff structures, and the result is that 4 out of 5 businesses are paying more than they should and that cost gets baked into every piece that gets produced.
Many customers who remain on default contracts end up missing out on cheaper market offers available from retailers. By going to market, you can yield significantly better pricing through bespoke retail offers.
Why It Matters for FTMA Members
Running large manufacturing sheds, powering saws and presses, drying timber — these all make energy one of your biggest operational expenses. An inflated electricity bill doesn’t just nibble at the edges; it can eat into profits, raise your outgoing expenditures, and make it harder to price products in a way that helps you stay competitive. Even a small percentage overspend adds up quickly when your equipment runs all day, every day.
What This Could Cost You in The Long Run
Consider a truss production line using heavy electricity during peak hours. If you’re on a mismatched tariff or the default rate, simply switching to a more suitable plan or adjusting when equipment runs could save you thousands of dollars a year. Even a 5–10% reduction in energy spend can make a meaningful difference to profit margins in high-volume energy- intensive manufacturing.
How you can take control of your energy bills
Energy is one of those expenses that often gets pushed down the to-do list, but with bills rising and fairness becoming rarer than a shooting star, it’s an area where attention really pays off. Every dollar saved on power is a dollar that can be reinvested into machinery and your business.
By checking bills, exploring better rates, and getting a clearer picture of energy use, you can take the guesswork out of rising costs. You shouldn’t have to rely on luck, or a shooting star, to get a fair deal.
But here’s the reality — who has the time to do all of that on top of running a business?
Let Choice Energy help you take control of your energy bills
If you’re a FTMA member, you can access a free, no-obligation energy assessment through Choice Energy.
As an energy broker, we do the heavy lifting for you: analysing bills, comparing market offers, negotiating with retailers, switching energy retailers for you, and keeping an eye on future price shifts. It means you can stay focused on your operations while knowing you’re not overpaying for energy.
You don’t have to wish upon a star to hope for fair energy costs. With the right support, you can move onto better rates, boost efficiency, and understand where your bill money is going with confidence.
Simply send a copy of your latest energy bill to:
