Finder’s Energy Report: Nearly half of Australians pay more for electricity than a year ago
Key takeaways
- Australians are increasingly anxious about their energy bills.
- 26% of solar owners feel disappointed or misled by solar.
- Finder's 2026 Energy Report includes tips on how to save on your electricity bill.
Millions of Australian households are feeling the pinch of rising power prices, according to a new report by Finder.
Finder's 2026 Energy Report is based on two nationally representative Finder surveys: a May 2026 survey of 1,009 Australian adults, and a June 2026 survey of 1,008 Australian adults – including 391 solar-panel owners.
The report explores how Australians are paying for, monitoring and powering their homes.
The report found almost half of Australians (47%) – equivalent to more than 10 million people – say their household electricity bill has increased over the past 12 months.
Mariam Gabaji, utilities expert at Finder, said electricity had become one of the toughest costs for households to control.
"Electricity is one of those bills that's impossible to avoid, so when prices climb, families have little choice but to absorb the extra cost.
"Many Australians are experiencing bill shock, particularly during periods of heavy heating or cooling when energy use naturally increases."
Almost 1 in 5 Australians (19%) say their bill is much higher than a year ago, while a further 28% say it's slightly higher.
Gabaji said the amount a household pays isn't only determined by what's happening in the wholesale market.
"Your retailer, tariff, usage habits and whether you've compared plans recently all play a role.
"Many households stay on the same electricity plan for years without checking whether it's still competitive."
Australians reported spending $394.40 on average on their quarterly electricity bill in July, according to data from Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker (CST).
The solar experience
Finder's 2026 Energy Report reveals the solar experience is mixed.
Almost half (45%) of solar owners say their solar is performing about as expected, while 27% say it has beaten expectations, saving them more than they'd anticipated.
However, more than 1 in 4 (26%) report a disappointing experience: 22% are saving less than they were promised, and a further 4% feel actively misled, with bills higher now than before they installed solar.
Gabaji said many households are discovering that installing solar is only one piece of the puzzle.
"Solar can absolutely slash electricity bills, but only if your system, energy usage and electricity plan all work together.
"Too many households assume the savings will simply take care of themselves."
The report found many solar households don't know what they're being paid for the power they export, with 32% unaware of their feed-in tariff rate and 45% receiving 5 cents per kilowatt-hour or less.
Most solar owners are glad they made the switch: 74% don't regret it, with 44% "saving heaps of money" and another 30% happy with their solar but wishing they'd added a battery at the same time.
On the other side, 34% have some regret – 22% say the savings fell short of what they were promised, 10% say the returns haven't justified the cost, and 2% point to the upkeep.
Gabaji said battery storage is increasingly looking like the missing piece for many solar households.
"The solar market has changed a lot in recent years, including when it comes to prices.
"If you're investing in solar and/or a battery now, it's worth doing your research, comparing your options and considering what will work best for your household," Gabaji said.
Read the full 2026 Energy Report here.
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