How Much Is The Cost of Electricity Per kWh?

Wondering about the cost of electricity per kWh in your area? Check out this guide to give you a localised overview of the usage rates where you reside.

Cost of Electricity Per kWh

The cost of electricity per kWh differs based on factors such as your energy provider, tariff and location. As such, the average cost of electricity per kWh in Australia runs between 20 to 38 cents.

The cost of electricity in South Australia per kWh may vary from that of Victoria and other states or territories since each state has its corresponding laws and regulations.

We’ve listed below the average energy prices you may expect to pay from each capital city.

City	Average Cost of Electricity Per kWh (c/kWh)
Sydney	28.66 – 29.00
Melbourne	20.95 – 23.00
Brisbane	25.61 – 26.00
Adelaide	36.13 – 38.00
Canberra	26.58
Hobart	26.59 – 27.00
Perth	30.06
Darwin	27.37

Note: Energy prices per kWh may differ if you live near the CBD, compared to those in rural areas.

Cost of Electricity in Sydney Per kWh

On average, the cost of electricity per kWh in NSW can range between 28 to 29 cents.

Cost of Electricity in Melbourne Per kWh

The cost of electricity per kWh in Victoria may range between 20 to 23 cents.

Cost of Electricity in Brisbane Per kWh

The cost of electricity per kWh in QLD ranges from 25 to 26 cents.

Cost of Electricity in Adelaide Per kWh

The cost of electricity in South Australia per kWh can range from 36 to 38 cents.

Cost of Electricity in Canberra Per kWh

The average cost of electricity per kWh in Canberra, ACT is around 26.58 cents.

Cost of Electricity in Hobart Per kWh

The cost of electricity per kWh in Hobart, Tasmania can range from 26 to 27 cents.

Cost of Electricity in Perth Per kWh

The cost of electricity in Perth per kWh can be around 30.06 cents.

Cost of Electricity in Darwin Per kWh

The cost of electricity per kWh in Darwin, NT can range around 27.37 cents.

Note: The cost of electricity per kWh will vary depending on factors such as your energy retailer, electricity plan, usage rates and your area’s climate condition. For example, if you live in NSW with AGL as your energy distributor and have selected the Value Saver plan, you may expect to pay 28.24c per kWh and 87.58c per day, respectively.

Where do I find electricity kWh usage rates?

The kWh usage rates are found in your energy bill. Try looking for the sections called:

• New charges and credits
• Total electricity charges or
• How we’ve worked out your bill

Energy costs (usage and supply charges) are calculated using this formula:

Units (kWh) x Price or Charge = Amount

Note: The column “Units” indicates the amount of electricity consumed.

Who sets electricity usage rates?

Energy retailers in most areas usually set out their prices. However, electricity distributors in South Australia, New South Wales and South East Queensland adhere to the Electricity Retail Code when pricing their usage charges.

State governments provide a benchmark price, allowing consumers to access the figures easily, compare rates and choose the ideal deal for their needs.

How often do electricity usage rates change?

Usage charges usually vary occasionally, depending on the current electricity demand. Your energy consumption during peak hours or seasons may cost you higher than usual, which explains the rate fluctuations.

How do I find the best kWh price for power?

Consider checking online reviews of the electricity providers and plans you wish to compare. Do they offer sign-up deals, discounts or loyalty benefits? Do they inform their consumers ahead of time when there is a change in tariff? Are their options flexible? These questions will guide you in finding the ideal kWh price for electricity.

Determining your frequency of usage is also an essential part of the process. As long as the energy plan you opted for is meeting your needs, not giving you any burden or charging you more than what is expected, you are already making a smart choice.

Why does electricity cost more in some states?

Below are some factors that affect the pricing range of electricity state by state:

1. Supply of electricity – Energy retailers may charge a higher rate due to the low supply of energy generation.
2. Usage rates – The declining amount of supply available in some states may show an upward trend in terms of usage rates.
3. Availability of discounts – Some electricity providers provide discounts to consumers, but these benefits can also be unavailable in some states experiencing downward supply trends.
4. Generation costs – Some states do not rely solely on renewable energy sources such as solar. Hence, they use more expensive coal and gas plants to meet the power demand of each consumer.

What is the average price of electricity between energy providers?

The average energy rate may be calculated based on two determining factors: (1) usage charge and (2) supply charge.

• Usage charge – a rate applied for each kWh of electricity used per day.
• Supply charge – a daily fixed fee applied regardless of how much electricity is used.

It pays to know how much your energy retailer or government charges per day in your area to identify whether you’re getting the best possible rate available.

To calculate the average cost of electricity between the energy distributors, you may start by:

1. Identifying the energy provider/s you want to compare.
2. Determining how much these retailers charge per city/state in terms of usage rates and daily supply costs.
3. Filtering the electricity plan (i.e. single rate, time of use) you want to calculate.
4. Finding the sum average of the figures you have gathered.

Finder provides a summary of this comparison in the table below.

Source: https://www.finder.com.au/average-cost-of-electricity

Average kWh Based on Household Size

The average kWh is determined based on the number of house members and the frequency of electricity usage.

Household Size	Average kWh per household
Single person	8 kWh per day
Couples with children	17 kWh per day
Group households	12 kWh per day
Multiple families	20 kWh per day

Important: The gathered data is from CSIRO’s Energise Insight released last December 2018.

To give you a rough overview of the amount of energy you consume every month, you might want to:

1. Identify the cost per kWh of electricity and climate conditions in your location.
2. Determine the average kWh per household based on the number of your house members. You may refer to the table above.
3. Consider the peak season and find the average by calculating the given figures.

Familiarising yourself with the cost of electricity per kWh in your area gives you the advantage of knowing what specific deal suits your needs. It always helps to compare your current energy rates to other plans and spot potential discounts you can benefit from in the long run.