The Australian federal government will on Thursday issue a final white paper on energy, which will call on the states to deregulate their electricity sectors.
AAP reports it will advocate charging more for power at peak times and using new technologies to help households manage their bills.
Smart meters, which allow customers to monitor and adjust their energy usage, could be part of the proposals.
The white paper is also expected to campaign for more efficient investment in infrastructure so cash is not pumped into projects that are only used in occasional peak times.
Energy Minister Martin Ferguson will also urge the states to follow Victoria's lead and deregulate their electricity sectors.
Queensland has indicated it is not ready to sell its electricity assets without putting the sale to voters.
Opposition energy spokesman Ian Macfarlane said some states would need encouragement to get them across the line on deregulation.
"But you won't get the states to do what needs to be done by politicising the issue or by waving a big stick at them," he told ABC Radio.
