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What is the average (kWh) cost of electricity in Australia?

Depending on where in Australia you live, the average lies between 22.88c and 35.38c/kWh, but we know how to find the lowest price.

What you need to know

Energy prices are calculated based on a range of factors including:

  • The state you reside in and which energy distributor services your area
  • Which tariff you're on, for example single rate or time of use
  • How much power you use

Good to know: Home energy use is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). It's the combination of how many kilowatts (kW = 1,000 watts) you use in 1 hour.

Average electricity costs per kWh (by state)

Like most infrastructure, each state or territory is responsible for its own set of laws and regulations to determine the supply cost of electricity. This means prices differ depending on where in the country you live.

After energy is generated and distributed, it's down to energy providers to sell the plans on to you and get your connection set up.

If you're paying much more for power compared to the prices in the table, it could be time to compare energy providers and switch.

Why is electricity so much more expensive in some states than others?

South Australian residents may be frustrated seeing that residents in Victoria are paying 14.64c/kWh less for their electricity on average. Fortunately, the SA government does offer concessions to help alleviate the cost of electricity bills.

Differences in power bills are due to a range of factors that take place before you get your energy bill in the mail, including:

  • Generation costs. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar tend to have lower running costs; however, they often can't cover demand on their own. This means many states use more expensive coal and gas plants to meet energy needs. In South Australia in particular, there's a heavy dependence on wind power followed by gas, which is more expensive than black or brown coal.
  • Network costs. Each distributor is responsible for maintaining the poles and wires to keep a constant supply of power to homes and businesses. Network charges can account for up to half of your energy bill.
  • Retail mark-ups. In order to make money, retailers set their own mark-up on energy plans (in line with regulations).

Should I be comparing kWh costs between providers?

Yes, but only to a degree. Your kWh usage costs are going to make up the bulk of the cost of your electricity bill but they're only one part of the picture.

Your bill is also affected by:

  • Supply charges. A daily fee for being connected to the grid.
  • Tariff type. If you're on a single rate your kWh usage costs are going to be the same no matter the time of the day you're using power. But on a time of use tariff you'll have different prices during peak, off-peak and shoulder periods.
  • Bill credit. Some energy providers offer sign-up deals which can include bill credits. These are sometimes applied on your first or second bill, or be split across a period of time.

Take a look at our comparison table for an idea of what providers are offering. If you want a quote customised to your specific usage and location, you can use our energy comparison tool.

1 - 15 of 22
Name Plan features Reference price Estimated cost
Dodo - Residential Market
Basic Plan Information | (DOD13816MRE9@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
21% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$260/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Red Energy - Living Energy Saver
Basic Plan Information | (RED552163MRE5@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
19% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$280/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Energy Locals - Online Member 2023
Basic Plan Information | (LCL665894MRE2@EME)
Green CompanySingle rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
16% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$310/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $100 guaranteed discount
$197.88 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
1st Energy - 1st Saver
Basic Plan Information | (1ST679770MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
15% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$350/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $70 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Value Saver
Basic Plan Information | (AGL668788MRE2@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
12% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$300/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Amber - Variable Wholesale Prices estimate only
Basic Plan Information | (AMB690870MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
11% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$530/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$228 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Netflix Plan
Basic Plan Information | (AGL686232MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
11% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$310/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Simply Energy - Simply NRMA
Basic Plan Information | (SIM664358MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
11% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$330/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $50 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
Simply Energy - Simply Blue Perks
Basic Plan Information | (SIM644347MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
11% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$330/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $50 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
Simply Energy - Simply Energy Saver
Basic Plan Information | (SIM661585MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
10% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$340/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $40 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - with free FIRST
Basic Plan Information | (KOG670613MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
9% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$420/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Powershop - Switch Saver
Basic Plan Information | (PSH670909MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
9% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$420/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - for current FIRST members
Basic Plan Information | (KOG670610MRE2@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
9% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$420/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
OVO Energy - The One Plan
Basic Plan Information | (OVO612507MRE8@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
7% less
than reference price
Plus an extra 6% below the reference price if you meet the conditional discount requirements
Estimated cost/year
$350/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$250 with conditional discount
Go to siteView details
Energy Locals - Local Member 2023
Basic Plan Information | (LCL665944MRE2@EME)
Green CompanySingle rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
7% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$470/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$257.88 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
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Showing 15 of 22 results

See more energy plans in NSW

The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer on the Ausgrid network who consumes 3911kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
1 - 15 of 24
Name Plan features Reference price Estimated cost
1st Energy - 1st Saver Online
Energy Fact Sheet | (1ST507708MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
26% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$380/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
OVO Energy - The One Plan
Energy Fact Sheet | (OVO514538MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
25% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$290/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $100 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
Lumo Energy - Lumo Basic
Energy Fact Sheet | (LU2500070MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
21% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$330/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Amber - Variable Wholesale Prices estimate only
(AMB515351MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
21% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$400/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$228 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
Red Energy - Living Energy Saver
Energy Fact Sheet | (RED508171MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff availableBest Rated Brand
Reference price
17% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - with free FIRST
Energy Fact Sheet | (PO2506800MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
16% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - for current FIRST members
Energy Fact Sheet | (PO2507057MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
16% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Powershop - Switch Saver
Energy Fact Sheet | (POD506943MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
16% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Energy Locals - Online Member
Energy Fact Sheet | (ENE514061MR@VEC)
Green CompanySingle rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
14% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$370/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$155.88 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Seniors Saver
Energy Fact Sheet | (AGD507179MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
14% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Value Saver
Energy Fact Sheet | (AGD507332MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
14% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Netflix Plan
Energy Fact Sheet | (AGD513546MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
14% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Lumo Energy - Lumo Plus
Energy Fact Sheet | (LU2500085MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
13% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$360/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
1st Energy - 1st Saver
Energy Fact Sheet | (1ST479403MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
12% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$420/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Simply Energy - Simply Blue Perks
Energy Fact Sheet | (SIM497954MR@VEC)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
12% less than
Victorian Default Offer
Estimated cost/year
$370/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $60 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
loading
Showing 15 of 24 results

See more energy plans in VIC

The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer on the Jemena network who consumes 4000kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
1 - 15 of 22
Name Plan features Reference price Estimated cost
Dodo - Residential Market
Basic Plan Information | (DOD559343MRE3@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
18% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$310/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Ampol Energy - Powering On
Basic Plan Information | (AMP522155MRE14@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
17% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$440/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Energy Locals - Online Member
Basic Plan Information | (LCL569534MRE2@EME)
Green CompanySingle rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
11% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$480/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$167.88 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
Amber - Variable Wholesale Prices estimate only
Basic Plan Information | (AMB690872MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
10% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$630/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$228 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
Powershop - Switch Saver
Basic Plan Information | (PSH678826MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
10% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$450/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - for current FIRST members
Basic Plan Information | (KOG678781MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
10% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$450/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Seniors Saver
Basic Plan Information | (AGL360479MRE18@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
10% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$440/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Value Saver
Basic Plan Information | (AGL547757MRE12@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
10% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$440/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - with free FIRST
Basic Plan Information | (KOG678786MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
10% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$450/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Red Energy - Living Energy Saver
Basic Plan Information | (RED552216MRE4@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
9% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$430/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Netflix Plan
Basic Plan Information | (AGL686221MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
8% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$450/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
1st Energy - 1st Saver
Basic Plan Information | (1ST679738MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
8% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$450/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $40 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
Energy Locals - Local Member
Basic Plan Information | (LCL569522MRE2@EME)
Green CompanySingle rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
8% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$550/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$233.88 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
OVO Energy - The One Plan
Basic Plan Information | (OVO612537MRE8@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
7% less
than reference price
Plus an extra 5% below the reference price if you meet the conditional discount requirements
Estimated cost/year
$390/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$290 with conditional discount
Go to siteView details
Alinta - HomeDeal
Basic Plan Information | (ALI463761MRE4@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
6% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$440/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
loading
Showing 15 of 22 results

See more energy plans in QLD

The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer on the Energex network who consumes 4600kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
1 - 15 of 17
Name Plan features Reference price Estimated cost
Amber - Variable Wholesale Prices estimate only
Basic Plan Information | (AMB690875MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
14% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$610/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$228 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - for current FIRST members
Basic Plan Information | (KOG678802MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
9% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$430/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - with free FIRST
Basic Plan Information | (KOG678799MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
9% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$430/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Energy Locals - Local Member
Basic Plan Information | (LCL654327MRE1@EME)
Green CompanySingle rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
8% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$550/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$257.88 membership fee included
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Seniors Saver
Basic Plan Information | (AGL360507MRE15@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
7% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$380/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Lumo Energy - Lumo Basic
Basic Plan Information | (LUM203109MRE10@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
7% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$370/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Value Saver
Basic Plan Information | (AGL359235MRE16@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
7% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$380/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
OVO Energy - The One Plan
Basic Plan Information | (OVO612546MRE8@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
6% less
than reference price
Plus an extra 4% below the reference price if you meet the conditional discount requirements
Estimated cost/year
$440/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
$340 with conditional discount
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Netflix Plan
Basic Plan Information | (AGL686234MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
5% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$390/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Simply Energy - Simply Energy Saver
Basic Plan Information | (SIM661814MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
5% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$420/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
incl. $30 guaranteed discount
Go to siteView details
AGL - Residential Solar Savers
Basic Plan Information | (AGL15407MRE27@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
4% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$390/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Lumo Energy - Lumo Plus
Basic Plan Information | (LUM203086MRE10@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
3% less
than reference price
Estimated cost/year
$410/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Simply Energy - Simply Energy Solar Plus
Basic Plan Information | (SIM690364MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
Same as
the reference price
Estimated cost/year
$450/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Momentum Energy - Suit Yourself Electricity
Basic Plan Information | (MOM546805MRE4@EME)
Single rate tariffFeed in tariff available
Reference price
Same as
the reference price
Estimated cost/year
$630/
(avg. 0 kWh/day)
Go to siteView details
Kogan Energy - Basic
Basic Plan Information | (KOG611859MRE1@EME)
Single rate tariff