Average electricity bill for five or more people by city
| City | kWh a year | kWh a day | A quarter | A year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MelbourneVictoria | 7,351 | 20.1 | $634 | $2,535 |
| BrisbaneQueensland | 8,803 | 24.1 | $791 | $3,163 |
| HobartTasmania | 11,555 | 31.7 | $881 | $3,524 |
| SydneyNSW | 9,008 | 24.7 | $898 | $3,592 |
| CanberraACT | 10,150 | 27.8 | $1,060 | $4,241 |
| AdelaideSA | 8,719 | 23.9 | $1,078 | $4,311 |
The AER groups all households of five or more together, so a family of seven will usually sit above these figures. In some climate zones the AER also pooled larger households because the samples were small.
Cost per person by household size
| Household | A year | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,637 | $1,637 |
| 2 people | $2,342 | $1,171 |
| 3 people | $2,715 | $905 |
| 4 people | $3,029 | $757 |
| 5 or more people | $3,592 | $718 |
Which quarter costs the most
| City | Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 2,158 | 2,082 | 2,761 | 2,007 |
| Melbourne | 1,686 | 1,718 | 2,245 | 1,702 |
| Brisbane | 2,430 | 2,182 | 2,153 | 2,038 |
| Adelaide | 2,080 | 2,019 | 2,688 | 1,932 |
| Canberra | 2,058 | 2,492 | 3,313 | 2,287 |
| Hobart | 2,178 | 2,719 | 3,706 | 2,952 |
Each figure covers about three months. The bold number marks the highest-use season in each city. Winter is the expensive quarter everywhere except Brisbane, where summer cooling pushes usage up. If you pay quarterly, that is the bill to plan for, or ask your retailer about bill smoothing to spread the cost evenly. Our winter and summer bill guides explain how to keep the peak quarter down.
Managing a big household's bill
Choose a low usage rate
With high kWh, a cent or two off the usage rate is worth more than a lower supply charge. See our comparison guide.
Spread the cost
Bill smoothing turns big quarterly bills into steady weekly or fortnightly payments. See billing periods.
Hot water and laundry
These grow fastest with more people. A heat pump hot water system and a heat pump dryer pay back fastest in big households.
Shift big loads
Large households run more loads, so free midday plans and off-peak timing save more. See the best time to run appliances.
Check concessions
Large families on lower incomes may be eligible for state energy concessions or retailer hardship help. See concessions by state and hardship programs.
Questions about large household electricity bills
Based on the AER benchmarks priced on 2026-27 regulated rates, between about $2,535 and $4,311 a year depending on the city.
Between about 20 and 24 kWh a day across the year for five or more people, according to the AER benchmarks.
Usually one with a low usage rate, because high usage multiplies every cent per kWh. Time-of-use or free midday plans can also suit if loads can be shifted.
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.