Keep in mind.The AER report is updated every 3 years and the next one comes out in December 2026. Giving the energy landscape has changed a lot this year, treat information on this page with some caution.
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.
Finder survey: How many Australians care how much their appliances are costing them?
Response
WA
VIC
SA
QLD
NSW
Yes
81.2%
74.39%
73.42%
76.68%
74.55%
No
11.97%
12.98%
21.52%
12.11%
13.88%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1145 Australians, December 2023 Data for ACT, NT, TAS not shown due to insufficient sample size. Some other states may also be excluded for this reason.
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.
Why you can trust Finder's energy experts
We've done the work
We've reviewed hundreds of energy plans and written 200+ guides to help you navigate the Aussie energy market. Our experts are seen on TV, print and digital media.
In the last 3 years, we've helped over 1.39 million people compare energy plans by explaining features clearly and simplifying confusing terms and conditions.
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.
Residents of the ACT have several electricity and gas providers to choose from.
Feedback
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
