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Some states and climates have a far lower power usage than others.
Keep in mind.The AER report is updated every 3 years and the next one comes out in December 2023.
What is the average usage by state?
Consumption varies significantly by state. Tasmanians use the most per year, 8,619kWh on average, especially on heating in the cold winter.
Victorians use almost half as much power annually as Tasmanians and have the lowest consumption at 4,615kWh.
State
Annual usage (kWh)
Summer usage (kWh)
Autumn usage (kWh)
Winter usage (kWh)
Spring usage (kWh)
ACT
6,407
1,258
1,550
2,168
1,431
NSW
5,662
1,388
1,331
1,681
1,262
QLD
5,535
1,538
1,394
1,366
1,277
SA
4,950
1,181
1,190
1,465
1,114
TAS
8,619
1,536
2,049
2,915
2,119
VIC
4,615
1,067
1,064
1,453
1,030
What about Western Australia and the Northern Territory?
The AER report only accounts for states that are part of the National Electricity Market (NEM). Because WA and NT don't report figures the same way, they haven't been included in this report.
According to an AEMC fact sheet from 2017 the average annual electricity consumption in Western Australia is 5,198 kWh per year.
Based on information from Northern Territory Power and Water, the average household in the NT has an annual usage of 8,500kWh. This is due to the heat in the territory which in turn requires heavier use of air conditioning.
What is the average usage in capital cities based on household size?
Larger households consume more energy, but just how much depends on the capital city they're based in and what the climate is like.
Residents of Hobart used the most power for each household member on average, while Melbourne residents used the least.
Here's a look at average usage per quarter in capital cities based on household size.
Household size
Sydney usage (kWh)
Brisbane usage (kWh)
Adelaide usage (kWh)
Melbourne usage (kWh)
Canberra usage (kWh)
Hobart usage (kWh)
1
777
853
730
738
1,090
1,501
2
1,309
1,282
1,262
1,210
1,527
2,196
3
1,590
1,542
1,543
1,269
1,931
2,369
4
1,828
1,921
1,780
1,451
2,386
2,705
5+
2,252
2,201
2,205
1,838
2,538
2,889
First we identified which climate zone each capital city is located in. Then we averaged the usage across all 4 seasons per household size.
+65%
1 person vs 5 person household consumption
2.4 people
Average household size
-25%
Cheaper in Spring than Winter
5,237
Average annual consumption total for a household of 2
+67%
1 person vs 5 person household consumption
2.6 people
Average household size
-36%
Cheaper in Spring than Winter
6,171
Average annual consumption total for a household of 3
+61%
1 person vs 5 person household consumption
2.6 people
Average household size
-6.6%
Cheaper in Spring than Winter
6,169
Average annual consumption total for a household of 3
+60%
1 person vs 5 person household consumption
2.7 people
Average household size
-38%
Cheaper in Spring than Winter
5,077
Average annual consumption total for a household of 3
+57%
1 person vs 5 person household consumption
2.4 people
Average household size
-40%
Cheaper in Spring than Winter
6,107
Average annual consumption total for a household of 2
+38%
1 person vs 5 person household consumption
2.4 people
Average household size
-48%
Cheaper in Spring than Winter
8,784
Average annual consumption total for a household of 2
For a more accurate idea of what your average electricity usage is check the second page of your energy bill. It should show your usage compared to households in your area.
How does the climate of where you live affect energy usage?
Australia is a huge continent with extremely diverse climates. The climate you live in affects your heating and cooling bills.
Warm, temperate areas like Sydney have low annual consumption (average of 5,154kWh), while cold areas like Hobart have very high consumption (7,229kWh on average).
Climate zone
Description
Example towns/regions
Average annual power consumption (kWh)
1
High humidity summer, warm winter
Cairns, Townsville
5,977
2
Warm humid summer, mild winter
Rockhampton, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour
5,341
3
Hot dry summer, warm winter
Mt Isa, Western Downs, Longreach
5,977
4
Hot dry summer, cool winter
Dubbo, Whyalla, Mildura
6,258
5
Warm temperate
Urban Sydney, urban Adelaide
5,154
7
Cool temperate
Canberra, Hobart, Yarra Ranges
7,229
8
Alpine
Small sections of alpine Tasmania, and the Snowy Mountains
7,229
Note: Data for climate zones 1 and 3 as well as zones 7 and 8 were pooled.
How to reduce energy consumption
If you're worried about how much energy your houshold uses there are a couple of easy ways to start reducing your consumption.
Switch off appliances at the power point. Even on standby power your appliances are still drawing energy from the grid. If the off switch is in an easily accessible space, reach for it - often.
Take shorter showers. The less hot water you use the less energy your hot water system expends to keep it warm. You can install a system that only heats the water when it's in use.
Insulate your home. Twice a year we fork out extra on our power bills to either keep cool or stay warm. Insulating and outkiting your home properly for the climate you live in is key. Also rug up in winter and opt for more comfortable clothes in summer.
Adjust the thermostat. Setting your air conditioner or heater a few degrees higher or lower means it won't have to work as hard and will use less energy as a result.
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Frequently asked questions
The distributor network with the highest average usage is TasNetworks with 8,619kWh a year. The distributor network with the lowest is Jemena in Victoria with an average usage of 4,279kWh a year.
See the full breakdown.
State
Distributor
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Annual
ACT
EvoEnergy
1,258
1,550
2,168
1,431
6,407
NSW
Ausgrid
1,360
1,283
1,679
1,207
5,529
NSW
Endeavour
1,512
1,403
1,726
1,340
5,981
NSW
Essential
1,291
1,307
1,639
1,240
5,477
QLD
Energex
1,513
1,380
1,324
1,264
5,481
QLD
Ergon
1,562
1,408
1,328
1,290
5,588
SA
SAPN
1,181
1,190
1,465
1,114
4,950
TAS
TasNetworks
1,536
2,049
2,915
2,119
8,619
VIC
Ausnet
1,200
1,149
1,572
1,102
5,023
VIC
Citipower
983
999
1,394
974
4,350
VIC
Jemena
951
987
1,383
958
4,279
VIC
Powercor
1,134
1,124
1,531
1,090
4,879
VIC
United
1,065
1,062
1,387
1,030
4,544
Here's an idea of how much energy 5 common appliances in your house might use every day, and over the course of a year.
Just running your heater for 4 hours a day during the winter months could see it make the top of the list as your most expensive appliance costing $226 a year.
Appliance
Power rating
Hourly usage
Yearly usage
Energy cost
Desktop computer
200W
200Wh
219kWh (3 hours per day)
$57
Electric oven
2,100W
2.1kWh
383kWh (30 minutes per day)
$100
Electric heater
2,400W
2.4kWh
864kWh (4 hours per day in winter)
$226
Refrigerator
68W
68Wh
596kWh (24/7)
$156
Washing machine
900W
900Wh
93.6kWh (2 hours per week)
$24
The average annual electricity usage for a household of 2 in Sydney is 5,237kWh.
Household size
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
1
732
745
927
705
2
1,278
1,232
1,565
1,162
3
1,530
1,503
1,903
1,425
4
1,819
1,717
2,148
1,627
5+
2,158
2,082
2,761
2,007
The average annual electricity usage for a household of 3 in Adelaide is 6,171kWh.
Household size
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
1
689
702
882
646
2
1,234
1,190
1,520
1,103
3
1,486
1,461
1,858
1,366
4
1,776
1,674
2,103
1,568
5+
2,114
2,040
2,716
1,948
The average annual electricity usage for a household of 3 in Brisbane is 6,169kWh.
Household size
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
1
908
857
848
799
2
1,393
1,281
1,250
1,202
3
1,644
1,531
1,545
1,449
4
2,074
1,935
1,873
1,800
5+
2,430
2,182
2,153
2,038
The average annual electricity usage for a household of 3 in Melbourne is 5,077kWh.
Household size
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
1
674
684
927
668
2
1,112
1,125
1,493
1,110
3
1,143
1,165
1,606
1,163
4
1,324
1,338
1,821
1,322
5+
1,686
1,718
2,245
1,702
The average annual electricity usage for a household of 2 in Canberra is 6,107kWh.
Household size
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
1
850
987
1,543
980
2
1,200
1,468
2,042
1,397
3
1,598
1,859
2,485
1,780
4
1,745
2,303
3,313
2,181
5+
2,058
2,492
3,313
2,287
The average annual electricity usage for a household of 2 in Hobart is 8,784kWh.
Most Western Australia residents can't switch electricity providers but have a few options when it comes to gas. Find out if you can switch energy retailers.
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