Queenslanders whacked with power bill increase – but some relief available

Queenslanders are set to see a 4.2 per cent surge in their power prices but there are ways to make your money stretch with two rebates.

The increase will start on July 1 and see the average annual bill of $2000 rise by $80 in the state with some of the highest power bills in the country.

"It's quite disappointing, it's going to hurt families doing it tough and unfortunately energy is one of things people can't afford not to pay," Compare the Market spokesperson Phillip Portman told 9News.

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Queenslanders told 9News the increase would hurt their pockets.

"I'm an ex-serviceman and I've got a DVA pension and my pension doesn't go up as much as electricity bill does," Mick Leckning said.

"It's 500 or 600 a quarter and that's for two people, in a fairly small house and we don't have air conditioning or heating and we're still paying that much," Kate Callaghan said.

But some relief is around the corner with two electricity rebates set to be applied around the same time the increase starts.

Households will receive a $1000 power rebate while concession card holders get $1372 with an extra $300 from the federal government.

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Portman said there are ways to stretch the rebate and it pays to shop around for the best deals.

"There's the potential to save hundreds of dollars right now and it's important that if you see deals, you act on them, because what's available today, might not be available tomorrow," he said.

"Don't just stick to what you've always known, because you could be getting ripped off."

According to Compare the Market research, the best deal is OVO Energy's "the one" plan, which is 28 per cent cheaper than the current reference price.

Origin's advantage variable plan and ENGIE Queensland's perks plan are both 20 per cent lower.