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Small to medium business

Agribusiness rates and charges

What qualifies as agribusiness?

Agribusiness is a land used for farm operations and must be used for approved agricultural purposes as classified by ANZSIC class 01.

Your business is allocated an ANZSIC code when you register for your Australian Business Number. To find out your ANZSIC code, contact the Australian Taxation Office (external link).

Examples of approved farm operations include horticulture, dairy, keeping or breeding stock, growing fruit, vegetable, grain or other produce, and handling and packing of these products.

A farm does not include processing of farm products, retailing of farm products, intensive animal husbandry, forestry, aquaculture or garden centre operations.

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Agribusiness on General Commercial Tariff 22

This tariff is best for businesses that consume up to 10 000 kWh (or units) per quarter.

General – Tariff 22
Fixed Charges 79.793 ¢/ day
First 500 kWh/quarter 28.401 ¢/ kWh
Remainder 20.849 ¢/ kWh

Prices include GST

You can work out your load profile to determine whether you are better off on a demand tariff or an energy only tariff (such as this Tariff 22). Load profile is the ratio of the total energy used (divided by the number of hours) to the maximum demand (or load) placed on the system within the same period.

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Unmetered supply

Unmetered supply can be required for electric fences. An unmetered supply must have its equipment hard wired. Once complete your electrician will submit electrical works request (EWR) papers requesting an unmetered supply for an electric fence.

There is no quarterly charge for electric fence consumption however the services charge will still apply.

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Irrigation pumps

Large irrigation pumps that can be used on a timer to pump overnight should be connected to Irrigation Tariff 73/74 to take advantage of the overnight (OffPeak) rate.

Irrigation – Tariff 73/74*
Fixed Charges 261.346 ¢/ day
Energy (all kWh) – Night rate (8 pm – 7 am) 10.908 ¢/ kWh
Energy (all kWh) – Day Rate (7 am – 8 pm) 24.824 ¢/ kWh
*The night rate (Tariff 73) is to be available for not less than 10 hours between 8 pm and 7am. In general the night rate will be available for 10 hours, but subject to network constraints and at Aurora's discretion, an 11 hour window may be available on request. For individual customers the starting and finishing times for the night rate will be staggered and may commence at any time between 8 pm and 9 pm and end at any time between 6 am and 7 am, subject to the 10 hour minimum availability.

Prices include GST

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Curtilage Discounts

Curtilage discounts apply to farm outbuildings and non-irrigation pumps that are fed from the same transformer as your residence. From 1 July 2008 they are only available to installations which received them prior to 1 July 2008. No new curtilage discounts will be available after 1 July 2008. Between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, the discount will rebate 70% of the fixed charge for Tariff 22. For more information call the Business Customer Service Centre on 1300 13 2045 or contact us via our online form.

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Multiple connection points on your property

If you have more that one connection from a high voltage distribution line at a site or property, you are eligible for the Multiconnections Discount.

The full fixed charge is payable on the tariff with the highest fixed charge (principal tariff) with all other fixed charges capped at a maximum of 50% of the principal tariff.

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Explanatory notes

Fixed Charges consist of meter reading, billing costs, part of the meter capital cost and some of the costs of maintaining and connecting to the electricity distribution system.

Demand Charge is an annual charge that contributes towards the cost of transmission and distribution.

Energy Rate is the charge for each unit of electricity (kWh) that covers the cost of generating the electricity and some of the transmission and distribution costs.

Goods and Services Tax (GST): prices include GST.

Quarter means a period of 91 days.

For more information on business electricity rates and charges, call 1300 13 2045 or view the electricity tariffs brochure (PDF 104kB).

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