What's the Average Gas Bill in Australia?

Overview of Average Gas Bill in Australia

Average gas bills in Australia vary widely, depending on several factors. What you use gas for (hot water, pool heating, total-home heating, and cooking for example), the size of your home, and how many people live there can all drive up your household's average gas bills. As shown below, Western Australians enjoy some of the lowest gas costs per quarter, while those in South Australia and Victoria have some of the highest gas bills.

In Australia, the various states and territories have different gas prices. Based on usage estimates, Canstar Blue's most recent quarterly calculations yielded the following numbers. To find out if what you're paying is comparable, you can compare your quarterly gas bill to the average costs paid in your state.

Recognizing that these are average quarterly estimates based on annual usage is crucial. They don't exhibit seasonal variations, like higher use in the winter. This could indicate that your winter quarter bill is much higher than your summer quarter bill.

Did you know? At the beginning of the year new reports from the AEMC showed that gas prices were to go down in the next few years as the government attempts to tackle inflating energy costs within the National Electricity Market. However, current trends point to a price increase instead.

Average Gas Bill by State

When looking at the average gas bill for each location, it's important to remember that the costs listed above include both the highest and lowest prices paid in each state. Therefore, Despite the prices listed for the average energy bill for each state, it is possible to find cheaper deals and pay less.

In the next section, we compare the average gas bill in each state to the lowest offers on the market.

• Skip Ahead to Compare the Average Gas Bill for Your State:
• Average Gas Bill Sydney
• Average Gas Bill Canberra
• Average Gas Bill Melbourne
• Average Gas Bill Brisbane
• Average Gas Bill Adelaide
• Average Gas Bill Perth

(NSW) - Average Gas Bill Sydney

The average gas bill in Sydney is $176 per quarter.

While the average gas bill in Sydney is $704 per year, there are plenty of lower plans and NSW energy offers that can reduce your bill even more.

Below you can find the cheapest gas plans in Sydney, based on the reference price.

Average Gas Bill Based on Household Income

According to research done by Canstar Blue, lower income households tend to pay less for gas than higher income households on average, though there could be other contributing factors as well. For instance, larger homes with higher energy requirements appear to be the norm for households with higher incomes. These results don't necessarily imply that families with lower incomes obtain better power arrangements.
 

Below are the average gas bills per household income:

Average Gas Bill Based on Age Group

Generally speaking, younger Australians pay the highest average bills, while older customers typically pay significantly less. This is primarily due to the fact that some gas retailers give senior citizens with cards additional discounts, and pensioners may qualify for government rebates on their gas bills. 

But don't forget to take into account other variables that might affect these prices. For instance, younger people might live in larger homes with higher gas consumption requirements, and older energy users are more likely to own solar energy systems. Additionally, younger Australians are more likely to rent their homes, where they might not be as concerned with getting a good power deal.

Here are the average power bills by age group across the country:

Average Gas Usage Rates in Australia

Below is the estimated average gas rates for each state within the National Gas Market, based on the average natural gas rates (in cents per MJ) for the top six energy companies in the market. Please keep in mind that your actual natural gas rates will vary depending on your location and provider.

Your household budget may be heavily impacted by energy expenses, so ensuring you're getting a good deal will help keep these expenses in check. Similar to how kWh is used to measure gas consumption, "MJ" is an acronym for megajoule, a unit of energy that is used to measure gas consumption. An overview of the total MJs of gas you have used during that time can be found on your gas bill.

Because of Australia's harsh weather, households typically use large amounts of gas and electricity, depending on what is available in their area. Air conditioning units, lights, and appliances are frequently powered by electricity. On the other hand, gas is typically utilized for hot water systems, cooking, and heating.

Given the numerous applications for both gas and electricity, you might discover that your gas bill significantly increases your other household expenses. You might be in a better position to evaluate and modify your overall budget if you can properly estimate the cost of your gas bills. Below we have listed the average gas prices per MJ by state, so that you can get a better idea of the costs that you will have to pay for gas in your area:

Average Gas Daily Supply Charge

Like gas, your natural gas bill is divided into two charges, your daily supply charge and usage rates. Below is the average daily supply charge by state, in cents per day for a natural gas connection. Your actual daily supply charge will vary depending on location and provider.

Average Gas Usage by State

There are a number of factors that affect the gas consumption per household. This includes the number of people living in the home, the number of gas-powered appliances (such as space heaters, cooktops, and water heaters), and the season.

Below is a table with the average gas usage by state, based on the season of the year. Since gas heaters can more than double a home's gas consumption in the winter, the data below assumes that the residence does not have one.

Breakdown of Your Average Gas Bill

A variety of factors affect your average natural gas bill each month. Consider the features that are most important to you before selecting a gas plan. Here are some things to think about:

• Usage charges: While some gas suppliers charge by the amount of gas used, others charge by the quantity of gas used, so prices vary based on how much gas your household uses.
• Gas Supply Charges: These are the ongoing expenses associated with delivering gas to your house through the gas mains network. Typically, the fixed price portion of a gas bill is comprised of supply charges.
• Connection Fees: When you move from one property to another, your energy retailer may charge you a connection fee. You must get in touch with your energy provider before moving into a new residence in order to have the gas and/or electricity accounts transferred to your name. The majority of energy retailers can schedule a connection in as little as three business days. You can, however, give the retailer a call and arrange for an urgent connection if you must connect sooner. But there might be extra costs associated with this.
• Late Payment Fees: Although no one enjoys paying more than necessary, if you pay your bill after the due date, you may be assessed additional fees. Your provider might also disconnect or suspend your service if you don't get in touch with them.
• Paper Billing Charges: Certain gas retailers charge their clients a fee each time a paper bill is sent. The charge is applied to the bill's printing and postage expenses. Here are some alternatives that might be useful to you if you would prefer not to be charged this fee: Get invoices via electronic means.
• Credit Card Surcharges: There can occasionally be a small fee if you pay with a Visa or Mastercard. Bank fees are a cost that is transferred through to cardholders. Depending on the method you choose to pay your bill, you might incur fees.

Find a Better than Average Gas Bill

Gas adds another level of complexity to energy bills; it's not as simple as comparing your bill to the average to find out if it's higher or lower than average. It is inaccurate to compare your gas bill from one state to another due to regional variations in consumption patterns and tariffs. How much does gas cost you overall? If the amount you're paying exceeds the state-specific figures mentioned above, you should definitely shop around to get a better deal. To make sure you're still getting a good deal, you should generally compare gas prices at least once every six months.

In searching for the best gas plan, it is important to compare gas rates to those from other top energy retailers.

More about Billing

Reduce Your Electric Bill - 10 Reasons Why Your Bill is High

21/3/2025

Reduce Your Electric Bill - 10 Reasons Why Your Bill is High

By Savannah Walker

Energy & Telecom SEO Specialist

Savannah Walker is Selectra’s SEO Project Manager and Editor, leading the team that focuses on energy, telecommunications and consumer technology, across news, reviews and how-tos.