Average electricity bill for two people by city
| City | kWh a year | kWh a day | A quarter | A year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MelbourneVictoria | 4,840 | 13.3 | $457 | $1,827 |
| BrisbaneQueensland | 5,126 | 14.0 | $534 | $2,135 |
| SydneyNSW | 5,237 | 14.3 | $586 | $2,342 |
| CanberraACT | 6,107 | 16.7 | $687 | $2,747 |
| AdelaideSA | 5,046 | 13.8 | $693 | $2,772 |
| HobartTasmania | 8,784 | 24.1 | $710 | $2,838 |
When in the year the bill is highest
| City | Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 1,278 | 1,232 | 1,565 | 1,162 |
| Melbourne | 1,112 | 1,125 | 1,493 | 1,110 |
| Brisbane | 1,393 | 1,281 | 1,250 | 1,202 |
| Adelaide | 1,225 | 1,188 | 1,526 | 1,107 |
| Canberra | 1,200 | 1,468 | 2,042 | 1,397 |
| Hobart | 1,581 | 2,109 | 2,950 | 2,144 |
A two-person home in Canberra or Hobart uses much more in winter than in summer, while Brisbane's highest quarter is summer. If you budget by quarter, expect the bill after the coldest or hottest months to be the largest. Bill smoothing spreads the cost evenly. See billing periods.
What drives a two-person bill
- Working from home. One person home during the day adds heating, cooling, lighting and computer use. See working from home electricity.
- Hot water. Usually the second biggest cost. A heat pump uses about 30% of the energy of an electric element system.
- Heating and cooling. The biggest item for most homes, especially with a ducted system.
- Gas or all-electric. A home with gas heating and hot water uses less electricity but pays two supply charges.
Retired couples
Couples at home all day use more in daytime hours, which can make a free midday plan such as the Solar Sharer Offer worth comparing. Our pensioner electricity bills guide covers concessions too.
Paying less as a couple
Compare plans with your real usage
Use the kWh from a full year of bills on the government comparison sites.
Time your big loads
Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in cheap hours. See the best time to run appliances.
Heat and cool only the rooms you use
Close doors and use zone controls.
Questions about two-person electricity bills
Based on the AER benchmarks and 2026-27 regulated prices, between about $1,827 and $2,838 a year depending on the city, or $457 to $710 a quarter.
Between about 13 and 24 kWh a day averaged over the year, according to the AER benchmarks for the capitals.
Yes. The supply charge and appliances such as the fridge are shared. In Sydney, each person in a two-person home pays about 28% less than someone living alone, on the benchmark figures.
The AER benchmarks do not cover Western Australia or the Northern Territory. Use the WA or NT bill calculator with your own usage.
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.