Average electricity bill for three people by city
| City | kWh a year | kWh a day | A quarter | A year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MelbourneVictoria | 5,077 | 13.9 | $474 | $1,894 |
| BrisbaneQueensland | 6,169 | 16.9 | $607 | $2,427 |
| SydneyNSW | 6,361 | 17.4 | $679 | $2,715 |
| HobartTasmania | 9,475 | 26.0 | $752 | $3,009 |
| AdelaideSA | 6,102 | 16.7 | $804 | $3,215 |
| CanberraACT | 7,722 | 21.2 | $836 | $3,343 |
How usage grows from two to three people
| City | Two people | Three people | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 4,840 kWh | 5,077 kWh | 5% |
| Brisbane | 5,126 kWh | 6,169 kWh | 20% |
| Sydney | 5,237 kWh | 6,361 kWh | 21% |
| Hobart | 8,784 kWh | 9,475 kWh | 8% |
| Adelaide | 5,046 kWh | 6,102 kWh | 21% |
| Canberra | 6,107 kWh | 7,722 kWh | 26% |
Many costs are shared: the supply charge, the fridge, the router and most heating and cooling. What grows is hot water, washing, cooking and devices. A new baby can also mean more heating, more washing and someone home during the day.
Which quarter costs the most
| City | Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 1,530 | 1,503 | 1,903 | 1,425 |
| Melbourne | 1,143 | 1,165 | 1,606 | 1,163 |
| Brisbane | 1,644 | 1,531 | 1,545 | 1,449 |
| Adelaide | 1,460 | 1,442 | 1,846 | 1,354 |
| Canberra | 1,598 | 1,859 | 2,485 | 1,780 |
| Hobart | 1,623 | 2,192 | 3,286 | 2,374 |
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.
Keeping a three-person bill in check
Watch hot water
More showers and more washing. Efficient shower heads and cold washes help most. See hot water running costs.
Wash cold and line dry
See the cheapest way to dry clothes.
Compare plans every year
Usage changes as a family grows. Check your plan still suits your kWh.
Use cheap hours
Dishwasher, washing machine and dryer can all run outside the evening peak.
About the benchmark figures
In a few climate zones the AER pooled household sizes because samples were small, and in Melbourne's zone three-person usage is only slightly above two-person usage. Treat the figures as a guide and compare them with your own bills.
Questions about three-person electricity bills
Based on the AER benchmarks and 2026-27 regulated prices, between about $1,894 and $3,343 a year depending on the city.
Between about 14 and 21 kWh a day averaged across the year, according to the AER benchmarks for the capitals.
There is no official figure, but more washing, drying, heating and someone home during the day all add usage. Hot water and laundry are the main things to watch.
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.