Light bulbs: Your guide to LEDs, CFLs and halogens

What's the deal with light bulbs in Australia?

Shopping for a light bulb used to mean grabbing whatever was cheapest off the supermarket shelf. Today, it's a whole different ballgame.

Australia has been progressively phasing out inefficient incandescent bulbs since 2009. But the big news is that as of 2025 and 2026, the government is cracking down even further. Strict new energy standards mean that power-hungry halogens and mercury-containing CFLs are currently being phased out of the market entirely.

The result? Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are now the undisputed standard for Australian homes. They might cost a fraction more upfront, but they are incredibly efficient, heavily regulated for safety, and will slash your long-term energy bills.

The big three: LEDs, CFLs and halogens

While LEDs are the future, you might still have CFLs or halogens kicking around your house (or lingering on clearance shelves). Here is how the three main technologies compare.

LEDs: The reigning champ

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are the most energy-efficient light bulbs available in Australia. Under new regulations introduced in March 2026, all LEDs sold here must meet strict quality and safety standards.

A quality LED uses about 75% less energy than an old halogen bulb and can last up to 15 times longer. While they used to be expensive, mass production has brought prices right down. They are now the smartest, safest, and most cost-effective way to light your home.

CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps)

CFLs are the spiral-shaped bulbs that function like traditional fluorescent tubes, just compacted. While they were a great stepping stone away from incandescents, their time is up.

Because CFLs contain small amounts of toxic mercury, Australia is officially phasing them out, with a complete ban on sales scheduled by December 2026. They also take an annoying few seconds to warm up to full brightness and fade over time.

Halogens

Also known as tungsten halogen lamps, these operate similarly to old-school incandescents but use slightly less electricity. Halogens are notorious for running incredibly hot and burning out quickly.

Under government standards that kicked off in October 2025, inefficient halogens are barred from new supply, though retailers are allowed to sell off their remaining grandfathered stock. You should avoid buying these unless you need them for a very specific, high-heat appliance like an oven.

How to choose the right light bulb

To find your soul-bulb, you need to look past the packaging and focus on a few key metrics. Ask yourself these questions before heading to the hardware store.

Which fitting do I need?

Before you even look at brightness or colour, you need to know what fits into your ceiling or lamp. The base code is always printed on the bulb and the box. The most common fittings in Australia are:

• B22 (Bayonet Cap): The classic Aussie push-and-twist fitting with two small pins on the side.
• E27 (Edison Screw): A standard, chunky screw-in base.
• E14 (Small Edison Screw): A narrower screw-in base, commonly used for smaller lamps, chandeliers, and wall sconces.
• GU10: A push-and-twist pin base used almost exclusively for recessed ceiling downlights and spotlights.

Lumens vs watts: How bright is it?

We used to measure a bulb's brightness by the amount of power it consumed (watts). But because modern LEDs use so little power to generate massive amounts of light, wattage is no longer a reliable measure of brightness.

Today, you need to look at lumens (lm). Lumens measure the actual visible light output. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb. When replacing an old incandescent or halogen bulb with an LED, use this rough watt-to-lumen translation as a guide:

What colour temperature is best?

Colour temperature dictates the "mood" of your room and is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). You love a cozy sunset glow in the bedroom, but you probably want the crisp clarity of a surgery room when you're chopping vegetables in the kitchen.

Consider what kind of light you prefer using this breakdown:

Energy efficiency and running costs

While LED bulbs used to be pricey, as of 2026, a standard LED globe costs between $5 and $20.

Because LEDs use up to 75% less electricity than older bulbs, they pay for themselves incredibly fast. A standard 9W LED bulb run for three hours a day will cost you roughly $3 a year on your electricity bill (based on an average Australian tariff of 30c/kWh). By contrast, running an old 60W halogen for the same amount of time could cost you over $19 a year. If you replace ten halogens with LEDs, you could save over $160 annually.

Do I need a smart light bulb?

If you want to control your lights with your phone, set wake-up routines, or shout at a voice assistant to turn the living room pink, you'll need a smart LED bulb. Brands like Philips Hue and LIFX dominate this space. They connect to your Wi-Fi, run efficiently, and last for years, but they do come with a much steeper upfront price tag (often $30 to $80+ per bulb).

Frequently asked questions

• Are halogen light bulbs banned in Australia?

  Yes, Australia is actively phasing out halogen light bulbs. Under government energy standards that commenced in October 2025, inefficient halogens are barred from new supply. While retailers can still sell off their remaining grandfathered stock until 2030, you should transition to LEDs to save on energy costs.

• Can I still buy CFL bulbs in Australia?

  Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are currently being phased out of the Australian market. Because they contain toxic mercury, the government has scheduled a complete ban on the sale of CFLs by December 2026. LED bulbs are the recommended replacement.

• How do I safely dispose of old light bulbs?

  Old light bulbs cannot go in your standard household recycling bin. CFLs contain mercury and must be taken to a dedicated council recycling centre or a participating in-store collection point. Incandescent, halogen, and LED bulbs should be wrapped in paper to prevent the glass from shattering and placed in your general waste bin, unless your local council offers specific e-waste drop-offs for LEDs.

• Can I use LED bulbs in older light fittings?

  Yes, you can easily use modern LED bulbs in older light fittings. LED bulbs are manufactured with the exact same base caps (like the B22 bayonet or E27 screw) as traditional bulbs. Just ensure the base code on the new LED matches your existing fixture.

• Do LED lights get hot?

  LED lights run significantly cooler than traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs because they convert almost all their energy into light rather than heat. While the base of an LED bulb can get slightly warm to the touch after hours of use, they are far safer and pose drastically less fire risk than older lighting technologies.

Written by

Sarah Brandon

Editor

Sarah Brandon was an editor at Finder specialising in technology and reviews. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from New York University and loves learning about why people do what they do. Sarah has researched and written about a wide range of topics, from air purifiers to AirPods. But no matter the subject, her number one priority is figuring out what information our readers need to make the best decisions. See full bio