Free Electricity Every Day in Victoria: What's the Catch?

Your Questions Answered

• 1. Is the electricity really free?


• 2. How much electricity can I use for free?


• 3. How do I get it?


• 4. Does every retailer have to offer it?


• 5. Can I charge my home battery?


• 6. How do I check whether my battery supports grid charging?


• 7. Is it worthwhile if I already have solar?


• 8. What is the catch with higher electricity rates?


• 9. Will I lose my solar feed-in payments?


• 10. Is five hours free better than three?


• 11. Can I charge my electric car?


• 12. What should I ask before switching?

1. Is the electricity really free?

Yes. Under the Midday Power Saver, eligible electricity usage costs zero cents per kilowatt-hour between 11am and 2pm daily, including weekends.

However, the free allowance is capped. Daily supply charges and any applicable controlled-load charges remain. Electricity outside the free window is charged.

2. How much electricity can I use for free?

Up to 24 kWh each day during the three-hour window. This is shared across your household's eligible grid electricity usage, including battery and EV charging.

For example, if battery charging draws 15 kWh from the grid, that leaves 9 kWh of the free allowance for other household use. Usage above the cap is charged.

3. How do I get it?

The offer began on 1 October 2026. You need a smart meter and must contact your retailer to opt in.

It is a separate electricity offer, not three free hours automatically added to your existing plan.

4. Does every retailer have to offer it?

The requirement covers retailers above the scheme's 1,000-customer threshold. Very small retailers can be exempt.

If you cannot find it among your retailer's advertised plans, ask specifically for the Victorian Midday Power Saver standing offer.

5. Can I charge my home battery?

Yes. The scheme allows home battery charging during the free window, with the stored electricity available for use later.

Your system must support grid charging. Whether you can fill it within three hours depends on its available capacity, charging power and system settings.

For illustration, a system charging steadily at 5 kW for three hours draws 15 kWh. Charging losses mean less than 15 kWh will be stored.

6. How do I check whether my battery supports grid charging?

Look in your battery or inverter app for settings such as scheduled charging, grid charging, force charge or time-of-use control. Names vary between systems.

Solar charging does not prove that grid charging is available.

Give your installer the battery and inverter model numbers and ask:

"Can this system automatically charge from the electricity grid between 11am and 2pm, and is that function enabled?"

Also ask how scheduling interacts with your backup reserve, warranty and any Virtual Power Plant agreement. Follow the manufacturer's instructions rather than changing unfamiliar advanced settings.

7. Is it worthwhile if I already have solar?

Potentially. On sunny days, your panels may already fill the battery without buying electricity.

The opportunity is greater on cloudy days and through winter: free grid electricity could supply the charge your panels cannot provide.

If that stored energy carries your household through the expensive hours, you may buy very little electricity outside the free period. However, winter heating and lower solar production can also increase the chance of the battery running out.

8. What is the catch with higher electricity rates?

Compare the proposed rates with your current bill. A higher rate only increases your usage costs when you actually buy electricity at that rate.

For example, a rate rising from 25 cents to 40 cents adds 15 cents for every kWh purchased. Buy 2 kWh and the increase is 30 cents; buy 10 kWh and it is $1.50.

Battery owners should examine how much grid electricity they still need after the battery runs down. Also compare daily supply charges: an extra 20 cents a day adds $73 a year, regardless of usage.

9. Will I lose my solar feed-in payments?

Check the individual offer. Momentum's Midday Power Saver information states that customers receive no solar feed-in tariff. Red Power5 also pays zero cents for exports.

If your exports earn very little, the loss may be small. Use the export credits on your bills to calculate what you would actually give up.

10. Is five hours free better than three?

Not necessarily. Red Power5 is a separate market offer with a longer window but a smaller allowance.

Midday Power Saver: 11am-2pm, up to 24 kWh free daily.
Red Power5: 11am-4pm, up to 15 kWh free daily.

Five hours provides more charging time, but 9 kWh less free electricity. Red charges for usage above its cap, and daily supply charges remain.

For a battery owner, the better choice depends on charging speed, the energy needed and the complete tariff.

11. Can I charge my electric car?

Yes, but charging shares the daily allowance with the house and any home battery.

A charger drawing 7 kW for three hours uses 21 kWh, leaving 3 kWh of the Midday Power Saver allowance for other usage. Actual charging power varies.

12. What should I ask before switching?

Ask your retailer to confirm:

The exact plan name and free hours.
The daily free allowance and rate above the cap.
Every usage rate and its applicable hours.
The daily supply charge.
Any controlled-load charges.
The solar feed-in tariff.
Whether existing discounts or benefits disappear.
An estimated bill comparison using your actual consumption.

Compare the whole bill. More free hours do not necessarily mean more free electricity or a cheaper plan.

Official Information and Retailer Offers

Victorian Government: Midday Power Saver
Victorian Energy Compare
Momentum Energy: Midday Power Saver
Red Energy: Red Power5

Details checked 15 October 2026. Retailer offers and prices can change. Confirm the current energy fact sheet before switching.

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