Guides
Electricity Bill Guides for Australian Households in 2026
Straight answers about electricity bills, built on official figures and 2026-27 prices. Start with what a household like yours typically pays, or jump to the problem you want to solve.
- Guides
- 48
- on this page
- Usage data
- AER
- 2020 benchmarks
- Prices
- 2026-27
- regulated, incl. GST
- Cities covered
- 6
- by household size
Typical yearly bills at a glance
Usage from the AER benchmarks priced on each state's regulated flat rate, supply included. WA and the NT are not covered by the benchmarks.
| City | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $1,637 | $2,342 | $2,715 | $3,029 | $3,592 |
| Melbourne | $1,295 | $1,827 | $1,894 | $2,099 | $2,535 |
| Brisbane | $1,655 | $2,135 | $2,427 | $2,850 | $3,163 |
| Adelaide | $1,888 | $2,772 | $3,215 | $3,605 | $4,311 |
| Canberra | $2,101 | $2,747 | $3,343 | $4,016 | $4,241 |
| Hobart | $2,150 | $2,838 | $3,009 | $3,342 | $3,524 |
Typical bills by household
What homes like yours use and pay, built on the AER's official consumption benchmarks.
- One-person householdWhat a single-person household typically uses and pays for electricity in each capital city, and why the supply charge matters more when you live alone.
- Two-person householdWhat couples and two-person households typically use and pay for electricity in each capital, which quarter costs the most, and where the money goes.
- Three-person householdWhat a three-person household typically uses and pays for electricity in each capital, and how much a third person really adds to the bill.
- Family of fourWhat a family of four typically uses and pays for electricity in each capital, which quarter costs the most, and how to bring a family bill down.
- Five or more peopleWhat large households typically use and pay for electricity in each capital, why the cost per person is so much lower, and how to keep the total down.
- Apartment billsWhat apartment households typically pay for power, how billing works in apartment buildings, and how to keep a unit's electricity bill low.
- Pensioner billsWhat one and two-person retiree households typically pay for power, the concessions available in every state, and the help on offer if bills get hard.
- Bills with solarSolar panels should cut your bill, but many owners are surprised by what is left.
- Bills with an EVAn EV can be one of the biggest loads in a home.
- Estimate a new billMoving somewhere new and want to budget for power? Here is a simple way to estimate the bill using official usage benchmarks and 2026-27 prices.
When a bill looks wrong
Finding out why a bill is high, and what you can do about it.
- High electricity billA higher bill always has a reason.
- Bill shockAn unexpectedly large bill is stressful.
- Bill up after smart meterA smart meter measures what you use, it does not make you use more.
- Price changesYour electricity price can change, but not whenever a retailer likes.
- Fees and chargesFees can quietly add to a power bill.
- Bill in creditA credit balance means you have paid ahead.
Saving money
The changes that cut bills the most, in order of what they are worth.
- Reduce your billNot every energy tip is worth your time.
- Best time to run appliancesWhen you run big appliances can matter as much as which ones you own.
- Standby powerAppliances that look switched off often are not.
- Replacing old appliancesNew appliances use less power, but buying one costs money.
- Measuring energy useLabels and estimates only go so far.
- Reading smart meter dataYour smart meter knows when you use every kWh.
- kW vs kWhKilowatts and kilowatt hours sound alike but measure different things.
- Tips for rentersRenting does not mean paying high power bills.
Heating, cooling and the house
Running costs compared, so you can pick the cheapest way to do each job.
- Cheapest way to heatHeating options vary hugely in running cost.
- Cheapest way to coolCooling costs range from a few cents an hour to over two dollars.
- Fan vs air conditionerA fan costs a few cents an hour and an air conditioner many times more.
- Leave the air con on?A common question with a clear answer for most homes, and a few important exceptions.
- Cheapest way to dry clothesDrying clothes can cost nothing or over a dollar a load.
- Cheapest way to cookSome kitchen appliances cost cents per meal and others several times more.
- Dishwasher vs hand washingThe answer depends on how much hot water you use.
- Summer billsSummer bills climb when the air conditioner works hardest.
- Winter billsFor most Australian homes, winter brings the biggest bill of the year.
- Christmas lightsChristmas lights cost less than most people fear, unless the display gets big.
Your situation
Shared homes, home offices, empty houses and medical needs.
- Working from homeA home office costs less to run than most people think, until the heater goes on.
- Splitting billsSharing a house means sharing the power bill.
- Granny flat electricityAdding a granny flat raises a question every owner faces: how should the power be supplied and billed? Here are the options, the costs and the rules.
- Empty houseAn empty home still costs money every day it is connected.
- Medical equipmentMedical equipment and the heating or cooling that health needs can add a lot to a power bill.
- Outage compensationLong or frequent blackouts can earn you a payment in some states.
Making your home efficient
Find where energy goes, then fix the house itself: insulation, draughts, windows and efficient appliances.
- Home energy auditBefore you buy anything, find out where your power actually goes.
- InsulationInsulation is one of the few upgrades that cuts both heating and cooling bills.
- Draught-proofingGaps around doors, windows and floors let heat out in winter and in during summer.
- Windows and glazingWindows are the weak point in most homes' insulation.
- Energy star ratingsThe star label on fridges, TVs and air conditioners hides a more useful number: the kWh a year.
How the market works
Where electricity comes from, what wholesale prices do to bills, and prices for small businesses.
- Wholesale electricity pricesWholesale prices make up about a third of a typical power bill.
- Where electricity comes fromCoal still leads, but renewables supplied almost four in ten units of Australia's electricity in 2025.
- Small business electricityThe same price protections that cover homes also cover small businesses.
Calculators and prices
Put your own numbers in.