What's the Average Electricity Bill in Australia?

The average Australian household pays about $1,400 to $1,650 a year for electricity, or roughly $350 to $410 a quarter. A single person typically pays $820 to $1,120 a year, while a family of four can pay $1,750 to $2,500. South Australia tends to have the highest average bills, and the ACT and Tasmania among the lowest.

Here's how your bill compares, and what you can do if it's higher than you expected.

Average yearly electricity bill by state

South Australia (Adelaide): about $1,580
NSW (Sydney): about $1,450
Queensland (Brisbane): about $1,420
Victoria (Melbourne): about $1,380
ACT and Tasmania: about $1,310 to $1,340

Indicative averages based on Canstar Blue 2026 survey data, as reported by Selectra, last updated June 2026. Single-rate tariffs.

Average bill by household size

1 person: about $820 to $1,120 a year, depending on the state
2 people: about $1,200 to $1,600 a year
4 people: about $1,750 to $2,500 a year

Source: Selectra, June 2026. In WA, a household of four typically pays about $2,000 to $2,350 a year.

Why your bill might be higher than average

Your plan: the cheapest plan for your usage can be hundreds of dollars a year less than a standing offer.
Heating and cooling: air conditioning on hot days is often the biggest driver of summer bills.
Older appliances: old fridges, electric hot water tanks and pool pumps use a lot of power.
Working from home, which adds daytime usage.
Discounts ending: a pay-on-time or new-customer discount may have expired.

How to lower your electricity bill

Compare plans on the government's free Energy Made Easy site, or Victorian Energy Compare if you're in Victoria. Have a recent bill handy.
Ask your retailer for a better offer. A quick call can sometimes get you onto a cheaper plan.
Check your concessions. If you have a pension or concession card, make sure your retailer has it on file.
Run the air con smarter. Cool the rooms you use, close curtains in the afternoon, and set it to around 24 to 26°C.
Use off-peak times for the dishwasher and washing machine if you're on a time-of-use plan.
Turn appliances off at the wall instead of leaving them on standby.
Pay monthly or fortnightly to avoid a big quarterly bill. Our guide on paying bills monthly or yearly explains the trade-offs.

If you can't pay your electricity bill

Contact your energy retailer as early as you can. Retailers must offer help to customers in financial difficulty, such as a payment plan or more time to pay. Your state may also offer emergency grants for overdue energy bills, and free financial counselling is available on the National Debt Helpline, 1800 007 007.

Check those options first. A loan should be a last resort for an ongoing bill, because it doesn't lower the cost of the power you use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average quarterly electricity bill in Australia?

About $350 to $410 a quarter for an average household, based on yearly averages of $1,400 to $1,650.

What is a normal electricity bill for one person?

Usually about $820 to $1,120 a year, or roughly $205 to $280 a quarter, depending on the state.

Which state has the most expensive electricity?

South Australia usually has the highest average bills, at about $1,580 a year.

How can I check if I'm on a good electricity plan?

Compare your current plan on Energy Made Easy, or Victorian Energy Compare in Victoria, using details from a recent bill.

What should I do if I can't pay my power bill?

Call your energy retailer straight away and ask about their hardship program, a payment plan or an extension. You can also call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.