Who it is for
Most Ausgrid small businesses.
Ausgrid small business tariffs
Ausgrid · EA225, EA251, EA256, EA050 · 2026–27
Most Ausgrid small businesses.
Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter region.
Compare the small business codes.
The exact 2026–27 network rates sit side by side. Open a code below for the worked example, the charge window and the checks before you change anything.
| Code | What it is | Status | Access | Energy | Demand / capacity | Export | Battery fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA225Small Business Time of UseLow voltage | Metering and access charges plus peak and off-peak energy rates. | Available |
|
| — | — | Conditional |
| EA251Small Business Demand — IntroductoryLow voltage | Metering and access charges, time-of-use energy and an introductory high-season kW demand rate. | Transitional |
|
|
| — | Strong |
| EA256Small Business DemandLow voltage | Metering and access charges, time-of-use energy and high-season kW demand. | Available |
|
|
| — | Strong |
| EA050Small Business FlatLow voltage | Metering and daily network access charges plus a flat anytime energy rate. | Closed |
|
| — | — | Weak |
What this family covers.
These codes share a charging method. The differences are in the rates, the time bands and who each code is for.
What is on the bill
- Daily access
- Time-of-use energy (peak 3–9pm working weekdays)
- kW demand charge (EA256)
Solar and battery
Solar cuts daytime units. On EA256, flattening your peak cuts the demand charge — that’s where a battery earns its keep.
Worth asking about
EA225 has no demand charge; EA256 trades one in for lower energy rates. Which wins depends on your load shape and retail contract — worth modelling both on real data before asking your retailer. EA050 is closed to new sites.
The codes in detail.
Open a code for its exact rates, the charge window, a worked example and the checks worth running before you change anything.
EA225Small Business Time of UseLow-voltage small-business connections.
EA225 Small Business Time of Use
Who it’s for
Low-voltage small-business connections.
What you pay
You pay different energy rates at different times. Check the current time periods and seasonal rules.
If you get solar
Solar reduces grid use while it is generating. Its value depends on the energy rate at that time.
If you get a battery
A battery can move energy to a more expensive period. Use actual retailer prices and allow for battery losses.
Check before you decide
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use the retailer prices, not only the network price list.
- Measure the energy that can move between time periods.
2026–27 network prices
What it costs, and when
These are the network’s charges only. Your retailer adds its own prices on top.
Peak is 3pm–9pm on working weekdays, November–March and June–August only.
What the network charges
- Access
- 218.6472 c/day
- Peak energy
- 39.757 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 5.8997 c/kWh
When the rates apply
3pm–9pm on working weekdays in November–March and June–August. All other times.
Illustrative example
Move 1,000 kWh from EA225 peak to off-peak
- The retailer passes through the network energy prices.
- The shift stays inside one billing period.
- Losses and project costs are zero.
1,000 kWh × (39.7570 − 5.8997) c/kWh ÷ 100Illustrative network-charge reduction: $338.57, excluding GST.This is not a retail saving. A battery has losses. The retail price spread may be smaller.
Would a battery help?
A guide, not a quote
Conditional fit
Time-of-use load shifting
The tariff provides a time-window signal rather than a demand target. Battery value depends on a repeatable price spread, sufficient cycling volume and a control system that preserves energy for the expensive window.
A battery can reduce these
- Peak-period grid imports shifted into a cheaper network or retailer window.
- Solar generation carried into later business load.
- Retailer energy exposure where its time periods align with battery dispatch.
A battery can’t change these
- Daily access, metering and other fixed charges.
- A network demand charge where none is included in this tariff.
- Energy already consumed directly from solar without incurring battery losses.
You’d need to check
- At least 12 months of interval usage and export data grouped by tariff window.
- Both retailer and network time periods and rates.
- Solar production, operating hours and seasonal load changes.
- Round-trip efficiency, usable capacity, cycling and degradation assumptions.
EA251Small Business Demand — IntroductoryEligible low-voltage small-business connections on the introductory demand pathway.
EA251 Small Business Demand — Introductory
Who it’s for
Eligible low-voltage small-business connections on the introductory demand pathway.
What you pay
You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kW demand in set periods.
If you get solar
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the billed peak occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not reduce the demand charge.
If you get a battery
A battery can reduce a billed peak. It needs enough kW and enough charge for the full event.
Check before you decide
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
- Check the battery power in kW against the full peak event.
- Model the tariff that will replace this temporary tariff.
2026–27 network prices
What it costs, and when
These are the network’s charges only. Your retailer adds its own prices on top.
Peak is 3pm–9pm on working weekdays, November–March and June–August only.
What the network charges
- Access
- 202.1082 c/day
- Peak energy
- 10.6016 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 10.6016 c/kWh
- Peak demand
- 1.3817 c/kW/day
When the rates apply
3pm–9pm on working weekdays in November–March and June–August. All other times.
Illustrative example
Lower the EA251 monthly peak by 50 kW
- The qualifying monthly peak is 50 kW lower.
- The billing month has 31 days.
- Other charges do not change.
50 kW × 1.3817 c/kW/day × 31 days ÷ 100Illustrative network-charge reduction: $21.42 for the month, excluding GST.EA251 is an introductory tariff. Confirm the current assignment and retailer pass-through.
Would a battery help?
A guide, not a quote
Strong fit
Peak-demand shaving
A recurring peak inside the tariff demand window is a direct battery target. The case weakens if the maximum is rare, unpredictable or longer than the battery can sustain.
A battery can reduce these
- The highest measured kW inside the tariff demand window.
- Peak-period grid energy when the battery discharges at the same time.
- Solar spill that can be stored without sacrificing the required peak reserve.
A battery can’t change these
- Daily access, metering and other fixed charges.
- A peak outside the defined demand window where the tariff does not count it.
- A new maximum created after the battery empties or misses dispatch.
You’d need to check
- At least 12 months of interval data, including every billed maximum.
- Demand timestamps, seasonal windows and billing reset rules.
- Battery power and duration tested against the full peak event.
- Retailer rates plus the network tariff—not a blended cents-per-kWh assumption.
EA256Small Business DemandEligible low-voltage small-business demand connections.
EA256 Small Business Demand
Who it’s for
Eligible low-voltage small-business demand connections.
What you pay
You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kW demand in set periods.
If you get solar
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the billed peak occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not reduce the demand charge.
If you get a battery
A battery can reduce a billed peak. It needs enough kW and enough charge for the full event.
Check before you decide
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
- Check the battery power in kW against the full peak event.
2026–27 network prices
What it costs, and when
These are the network’s charges only. Your retailer adds its own prices on top.
Peak is 3pm–9pm on working weekdays, November–March and June–August only.
What the network charges
- Access
- 242.1788 c/day
- Peak energy
- 3.0721 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 3.0721 c/kWh
- Peak demand
- 44.5311 c/kW/day
When the rates apply
3pm–9pm on working weekdays in November–March and June–August. All other times.
Illustrative example
Lower the EA256 monthly peak by 50 kW
- The qualifying monthly peak is 50 kW lower.
- The billing month has 31 days.
- Other charges do not change.
50 kW × 44.5311 c/kW/day × 31 days ÷ 100Illustrative network-charge reduction: $690.23 for the month, excluding GST.The battery or load control must cover the full peak event. Confirm the retailer pass-through.
Would a battery help?
A guide, not a quote
Strong fit
Peak-demand shaving
A recurring peak inside the tariff demand window is a direct battery target. The case weakens if the maximum is rare, unpredictable or longer than the battery can sustain.
A battery can reduce these
- The highest measured kW inside the tariff demand window.
- Peak-period grid energy when the battery discharges at the same time.
- Solar spill that can be stored without sacrificing the required peak reserve.
A battery can’t change these
- Daily access, metering and other fixed charges.
- A peak outside the defined demand window where the tariff does not count it.
- A new maximum created after the battery empties or misses dispatch.
You’d need to check
- At least 12 months of interval data, including every billed maximum.
- Demand timestamps, seasonal windows and billing reset rules.
- Battery power and duration tested against the full peak event.
- Retailer rates plus the network tariff—not a blended cents-per-kWh assumption.
EA050Small Business FlatLegacy low-voltage small-business connections.
EA050 Small Business Flat
Who it’s for
Legacy low-voltage small-business connections.
What you pay
You pay fixed charges and an energy rate. This tariff has no demand charge.
If you get solar
Solar reduces the electricity the site buys. The network gives no special reward for using solar at a set time.
If you get a battery
This tariff gives a battery no clear network target. Check retailer prices, solar exports and backup needs.
Check before you decide
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use the retailer prices, not only the network price list.
- Measure the energy that can move between time periods.
- Do not assume that a new site can select this tariff.
2026–27 network prices
What it costs, and when
These are the network’s charges only. Your retailer adds its own prices on top.
What the network charges
- Access
- 202.3139 c/day
- Anytime energy
- 11.3299 c/kWh
When the rates apply
One energy rate applies at all times.
Illustrative example
Price 1,000 kWh of EA050 network energy
- The site already has the closed EA050 tariff.
- The example excludes the access charge.
- The retailer passes through the network price.
1,000 kWh × 11.3299 c/kWh ÷ 100Illustrative network energy charge: $113.30, excluding GST.This is not the retail energy price. EA050 is closed to new assignments.
Would a battery help?
A guide, not a quote
Weak fit
Retailer-led value only
This network tariff does not provide a clear demand or time-window target for a behind-the-meter battery. Any case must come from the retailer spread, solar capture or resilience value.
A battery can reduce these
- Grid energy purchases where stored solar would otherwise be exported.
- Retailer time-of-use or wholesale exposure if the retail contract differs from the network structure.
A battery can’t change these
- Daily access, metering and other fixed charges.
- A network demand charge that is not present on this tariff.
- Quarterly block thresholds or closed/transitional tariff rules through dispatch alone.
You’d need to check
- Current retailer bill and complete retail rate schedule.
- At least 12 months of interval imports and solar exports.
- Eligible alternative network and retailer tariffs.
- Resilience requirements valued separately from bill savings.
Questions about small business tariffs.
Short answers to the things people ask before they change a tariff.
What is EA225?
EA225 is the Ausgrid Small Business Time of Use tariff. It is a available low voltage tariff for Low-voltage small-business connections. Metering and access charges plus peak and off-peak energy rates.
What is EA251?
EA251 is the Ausgrid Small Business Demand — Introductory tariff. It is a transitional low voltage tariff for Eligible low-voltage small-business connections on the introductory demand pathway. Metering and access charges, time-of-use energy and an introductory high-season kW demand rate.
What is EA256?
EA256 is the Ausgrid Small Business Demand tariff. It is a available low voltage tariff for Eligible low-voltage small-business demand connections. Metering and access charges, time-of-use energy and high-season kW demand.
What is EA050?
EA050 is the Ausgrid Small Business Flat tariff. It is a closed low voltage tariff for Legacy low-voltage small-business connections. Metering and daily network access charges plus a flat anytime energy rate.
Can solar or a battery reduce a small business bill?
Solar cuts daytime units. On EA256, flattening your peak cuts the demand charge — that’s where a battery earns its keep. For EA225, the battery signal is conditional: The tariff provides a time-window signal rather than a demand target. Battery value depends on a repeatable price spread, sufficient cycling volume and a control system that preserves energy for the expensive window.
How do the small business network charges work?
The charges are Daily access, Time-of-use energy (peak 3–9pm working weekdays), kW demand charge (EA256). 3pm–9pm on working weekdays in November–March and June–August. All other times. EA225 has no demand charge; EA256 trades one in for lower energy rates. Which wins depends on your load shape and retail contract — worth modelling both on real data before asking your retailer. EA050 is closed to new sites.
Which Ausgrid small business code applies to my site?
Most Ausgrid small businesses. The code on your retailer bill is the starting point. Your retailer must confirm any tariff assignment or change.
Are these network prices or retail prices?
Effective 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Published network prices exclude GST. These are the network charges only. Your retailer adds its own prices and may package the structure differently.
Reviewed by Mike Anderson · Last verified 7 November 2026
Effective 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Published network prices exclude GST. These are network charges only; your retailer adds its own prices.
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