How to estimate your new bill
Find the network
The real estate agent, seller or previous bill will tell you the distributor. Our rates by state page lists every network and its regulated price.
Estimate your usage
Use the AER benchmark for your household size and city, then adjust for gas, a pool, electric hot water or an EV.
Work out the cost
Multiply kWh by the usage rate, then add the daily supply charge for every day in the period.
Check it in the calculator
Enter your estimate in our bill calculator to see it line by line.
Typical usage for your household size
The tables below use the AER benchmarks priced on 2026-27 regulated rates. Start with the row that matches your household.
| Household | kWh a year | A year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3,109 | $1,637 |
| 2 people | 5,237 | $2,342 |
| 3 people | 6,361 | $2,715 |
| 4 people | 7,311 | $3,029 |
| 5 or more people | 9,008 | $3,592 |
| Household | kWh a year | A year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 2,953 | $1,295 |
| 2 people | 4,840 | $1,827 |
| 3 people | 5,077 | $1,894 |
| 4 people | 5,805 | $2,099 |
| 5 or more people | 7,351 | $2,535 |
| Household | kWh a year | A year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3,412 | $1,655 |
| 2 people | 5,126 | $2,135 |
| 3 people | 6,169 | $2,427 |
| 4 people | 7,682 | $2,850 |
| 5 or more people | 8,803 | $3,163 |
For Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart, see our guides for each household size, starting with two-person households. The AER benchmarks do not cover Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
Adjusting the estimate for your new home
| Feature of the new home | Effect on electricity |
|---|---|
| Gas heating, hot water or cooking | Lower electricity use, but a separate gas bill and supply charge. |
| Electric storage hot water | Higher use, often on a cheaper controlled load rate. |
| Pool | The SA Government says a pool typically uses 2,000 to 3,000 kWh a year. |
| Rooftop solar | Lower grid use during the day, and feed-in credits for exports. |
| Ducted air conditioning | Much higher use in hot or cold months than a single split system. |
| Apartment with an embedded network | The building may bill you, at prices capped by AER or Victorian rules. |
Ask about the home's usage
Some sellers or landlords will share recent bills. They are the best guide to how the home performs, as long as the household size was similar to yours.
Two-person households in the AER's figures range from about $1,827 a year in Melbourne to $2,838 in Hobart on regulated prices. Our moving house checklist covers connecting the power.
Questions about estimating a new bill
Start with the AER benchmark for your household size and city, adjust for gas, a pool, solar or an EV, then multiply the kWh by the usage rate for the network and add the daily supply charge.
Only with the current occupant's permission. Some sellers and landlords will share recent bills. Usage data belongs to the account holder, so a retailer will not release it to you.
Prices depend on the network that supplies the address. In NSW, Queensland and Victoria, moving across a network boundary can change the rate and supply charge.
For a two-person household, the AER benchmarks priced on regulated rates come to between about $152 and $237 a month depending on the city. Market offers can be cheaper.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.