Estimate your electricity costs using your usage, tariff and supply charge — or enter the figures from your actual electricity bill.
How this calculator works: This electricity bill calculator helps Australian households estimate their daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly power costs. Use your own usage and rates in Quick Estimate, or enter the exact figures printed on your bill in Use My Bill for the most personalised result.
Results are estimates. Actual electricity rates vary by retailer, state, distributor area and tariff, so enter the rates from your bill.
Check your bill for total kWh used and divide by the number of days. Many bills also show “average daily usage”.
Single rate = one price all day. Time of use = different prices for peak, shoulder and off-peak. Peak, shoulder and off-peak periods depend on your electricity plan.
If you’re on time-of-use, enter your average rate across all periods (total usage cost ÷ total kWh).
The fixed daily charge for your connection. Also called a supply charge or standing charge.
Solar generation is the electricity your system produces. Solar export is the electricity sent back to the grid and credited under your feed-in tariff. Enter export for the whole billing period, and use grid import for usage above.
Enter the figures shown on your bill. Check whether the rates on your bill already include GST so it isn’t counted twice.
Shown near the bill dates. Quarterly bills are usually around 90–92 days.
Look for “usage”, “consumption” or “kWh used”. If you have solar, enter grid electricity imported.
On a time-of-use plan, divide your total usage cost by total kWh and enter that blended rate. Peak, shoulder and off-peak periods depend on your electricity plan.
For example meter or service fees listed separately on your bill.
Enter as a positive amount. It is subtracted from the bill.
Only enter this if your plan has a demand charge. Not every household does.
Annualised estimate = bill ÷ billing days × 365. Monthly equivalent = annualised ÷ 12. Quarterly = annualised ÷ 4. These are estimates, not future bills.
Work out what one appliance costs to run. Formula: watts ÷ 1000 = kW, kW × hours = kWh, kWh × rate = cost.
Check the appliance label or manual for watts (W).
This energy bill calculator is built for Australian households. It works as an electricity bill calculator, an electricity cost calculator and a power bill calculator in one: enter your kWh usage, your usage rate in c/kWh and your daily supply charge, and it estimates the cost for your billing period. It then converts the result into a daily cost, weekly cost, monthly equivalent, quarterly equivalent and annualised electricity cost, and works out your effective cost per kWh.
It is useful whether you’re trying to understand a bill you’ve already received, estimating the cost of a new plan, checking what solar exports are worth, or working out what a single appliance costs to run. Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to a server, and you don’t need to register.
The calculator gives estimates. It can’t know your retailer, tariff or contract, so the result is only as accurate as the rates you enter. For the closest match to a real bill, use the figures printed on your bill.
Most Australian electricity bills combine a variable usage charge with a fixed daily supply charge. The formula is:
Rates on bills are usually quoted in cents, so divide by 100 to convert to dollars. Then check whether your rates include GST. If they don’t, add 10% GST to the taxable charges. Adding GST twice is one of the most common calculation mistakes.
These examples use round, illustrative numbers to show the method. They are not typical or average Australian rates.
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | 1,274 kWh × 30 c ÷ 100 | $382.20 |
| Supply | 91 days × 100 c ÷ 100 | $91.00 |
| Total | $473.20 |
Annualised: $473.20 ÷ 91 × 365 = $1,898.00. Effective cost per kWh: $473.20 ÷ 1,274 kWh = about 37.1 c/kWh, which is higher than the 30 c/kWh usage rate because the supply charge is spread across the kWh used.
Say a household imports 900 kWh at 30 c/kWh ($270.00), pays a 100 c/day supply charge over 91 days ($91.00), and exports 700 kWh at a 5 c/kWh feed-in tariff (a $35.00 credit). The estimated bill is $270.00 + $91.00 − $35.00 = $326.00.
| Period | kWh | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 300 | 45 c/kWh | $135.00 |
| Shoulder | 200 | 28 c/kWh | $56.00 |
| Off-peak | 500 | 20 c/kWh | $100.00 |
| Total usage | 1,000 | $291.00 |
To use this in the calculator, enter 1,000 kWh and a blended rate of 29.1 c/kWh ($291.00 ÷ 1,000 kWh), then add your daily supply charge.
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit electricity is measured and billed in. One kWh is the energy used by a 1,000-watt (1 kW) appliance running for one hour. A 100-watt globe running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh. Your meter records the kWh flowing into your home, and your bill multiplies that by your rate.
You’ll often see kWh described as a “unit” of electricity. When a rate is shown as 30 c/kWh, every unit costs 30 cents before any fixed charges.
The variable part of your bill: kWh used × your rate. On a single-rate plan there’s one rate. On other plans, the rate can change by time of day or by the amount you use.
A fixed daily amount for being connected to the network. It applies every day of the billing period.
Some bills split usage into peak, shoulder and off-peak, list a separate controlled load line, or show solar exports and a feed-in credit. Each has its own kWh and rate.
A small number of plans include a demand charge based on your highest usage in a short window. Some bills also list other fees, such as metering or service charges.
GST is 10%. Bills may show rates including or excluding GST, so check. Discounts and concessions, where they apply, reduce the bill.
There is no single Australian electricity rate. The cost per kWh depends on:
Two neighbours on different plans can pay noticeably different rates. The most reliable number is the c/kWh on your own bill. To see what else is available at your address, use the government comparison sites: Energy Made Easy, and Victorian Energy Compare in Victoria.
The Australian Energy Regulator publishes the Default Market Offer (DMO), a cap on standing offers in New South Wales, South Australia and South East Queensland. The 2026–27 DMO applies from 1 July 2026. It’s a price cap, not the rate every household pays, and it doesn’t apply in every state. Victoria has the Victorian Default Offer, set separately.
This calculator does not assume one national rate. If a verified reference rate is loaded for your state it’s shown with its source and date, otherwise you’re asked to enter your own.
A daily supply charge, sometimes called a standing charge, is a fixed amount charged for each day your property is connected to the electricity network. It’s shown in cents per day and multiplied by the number of days on your bill, whether you use a lot of electricity or very little.
It matters for two reasons. First, it makes your effective cost per kWh higher than your usage rate, especially for low-usage households. Second, when comparing plans, a lower usage rate paired with a higher supply charge can cost more overall than it looks. Always compare the total for your own usage.
To use the numbers on your actual bill, look for these:
Enter them in Use My Bill. If your calculated total is close to your bill total, you understand how it was built. If it isn’t, see the section on why bills differ below.
People often search for the average electricity bill in Australia, but a single average isn’t very useful for planning. Bills vary with household size, state, climate, heating and cooling, hot water type, appliance use, whether you have solar and which plan you’re on. A single person in a small apartment and a family of five in a large house will have very different usage.
A better benchmark is your own history. Use this calculator to find the annualised cost of your latest bill, compare it with earlier bills, and note seasonal changes. For comparison against similar households, the government comparison sites and the Australian Energy Regulator publish benchmark information.
A time-of-use (TOU) tariff charges different rates at different times of day:
The times, and the rates, depend on your plan and network area, so there are no universal hours. Peak, shoulder and off-peak periods depend on your electricity plan. Enter the usage and rates shown on your bill. To use the calculator on a TOU plan, work out a blended rate: add up each period’s cost (kWh × rate ÷ 100), divide by total kWh, and enter the result as your usage rate.
If you’re on a TOU plan, check how much of your usage falls in the peak period. Moving flexible use, such as laundry or dishwashing, out of peak times may reduce your bill depending on your plan.
Rates, regulation and networks differ across Australia. The notes below explain the framework in each area. In every case, use the rates on your own bill for an accurate calculation.
Electricity prices in New South Wales depend on your retailer, plan and network area. The main distributors are Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy, and which one serves your address affects the network charges in your rates. NSW is one of the regions covered by the Default Market Offer set by the Australian Energy Regulator, with the 2026–27 DMO applying from 1 July 2026. The DMO is a cap on standing offers, and the price on your bill depends on the plan you’re actually on. Use the c/kWh and daily supply charge from your bill for an accurate NSW electricity cost calculation.
Victoria has its own pricing framework. Rather than the DMO, the Essential Services Commission sets the Victorian Default Offer, a separate reference price. Do not use NSW DMO data as Victorian data. Victorian rates and supply charges vary by distribution area (for example CitiPower, Powercor, Jemena, AusNet Services and United Energy) and by retailer, and many Victorian homes have smart meters and time-of-use tariffs. Victorian Energy Compare is the state government’s comparison site. For your Victoria electricity bill calculation, enter the rates from your bill.
Queensland pricing varies by location and tariff. South East Queensland is covered by the Default Market Offer, while regional Queensland pricing is generally set through a separate regulated process, so South East Queensland reference prices shouldn’t be assumed to apply elsewhere in the state. Energex and Ergon Energy are the main network operators. Controlled load tariffs, often used for hot water, are also common in Queensland. Enter your own rates for a QLD power bill estimate.
South Australia has its own pricing context. The Default Market Offer applies, and SA Power Networks is the main distributor, but your actual price depends on your retailer and plan. South Australia also has high rooftop solar uptake, so many households will want to use the solar export inputs and understand their feed-in tariff.
Western Australia isn’t covered by the Default Market Offer, so don’t apply DMO figures to WA. Most WA households buy electricity on regulated tariffs set by the state government, from Synergy in the south-west or Horizon Power in regional and remote areas. Use the rates on your WA bill.
Tasmania isn’t covered by the Default Market Offer and has its own arrangements. TasNetworks operates the network, and your retail price depends on your retailer and plan. Enter the c/kWh and daily supply charge shown on your Tasmanian bill, and check the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator for current information.
In the Australian Capital Territory, Evoenergy operates the network, and retail pricing is subject to ACT-specific regulation. The ACT isn’t covered by the DMO. Enter the rates from your ACT bill and check the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission for current pricing information.
The Northern Territory has its own arrangements and isn’t covered by the DMO. Pricing depends on where you live and who supplies you, and regulated arrangements are overseen by the Utilities Commission. Use the rates and daily supply charge on your NT bill and check official Northern Territory sources for current tariffs.
A solar bill involves several different quantities that are easy to confuse:
Estimated net bill = usage charges (on imports) + supply charges − (exported kWh × feed-in tariff ÷ 100) + any other charges. Solar can reduce a bill significantly, but it doesn’t guarantee a zero bill, because the supply charge and evening usage still apply.
A controlled load is a separately metered circuit, often used for electric hot water or another high-use appliance. It’s switched on and off by the network or retailer and billed at its own rate. Not every household has one. If your bill shows a controlled load line, enter its kWh and rate so the cost appears as its own line in the result.
The calculator also has an option for a demand charge, but only use it if your plan has one. Most households aren’t billed this way.
You can work out what an appliance costs to run in three steps:
For example, a 2,000-watt heater running for 4 hours uses 2 kW × 4 h = 8 kWh. At an illustrative 30 c/kWh, that’s $2.40 for the session. Use the Appliance Running Cost Calculator above for daily, weekly, monthly and annual costs. Appliances that heat or cool, such as heaters, air conditioners and electric hot water systems, generally use the most electricity. The wattage is on the appliance label or in the manual, and some appliances cycle on and off, so real-world use can be lower than the label rating.
A difference between the calculator and your bill can occur because of taxes, discounts, additional charges, tariff structures, adjustments, estimated meter readings or other items on the bill. A difference doesn’t mean your retailer has made an error. Common reasons include:
If something on your bill still looks wrong, contact your retailer first. If it isn’t resolved, your state energy ombudsman can help.
Start by understanding where the cost comes from, then work on the biggest items.
Look at your average daily kWh and how it changes across seasons. A smart meter portal or retailer app may show usage by time of day.
Use Energy Made Easy, or Victorian Energy Compare if you’re in Victoria, and enter your real usage. Compare total annual cost, not just the usage rate, and remember the supply charge and any discount conditions.
If you’re on a time-of-use plan, see how much you use during peak periods and whether flexible loads can move.
Heating and cooling are often the largest seasonal contributors. Sensible thermostat settings, sealing gaps, good insulation and regular filter cleaning can help.
Hot water can be a large share of household electricity. The type of system and the tariff it runs on both matter.
Use the appliance calculator on your biggest users, and check for older appliances, second fridges and devices left on standby.
Compare supply charges between plans, and compare your last few bills to spot unexpected jumps.
These steps work whatever plan you’re on. Some households also look into solar, batteries or other energy projects. If you do, get quotes and advice from licensed professionals, because electrical work in Australia is regulated.
An energy bill calculator estimates the cost of your electricity from figures such as the kWh you used, your usage rate, your daily supply charge and the number of days in the billing period. This calculator is designed for Australian households.
Multiply the kWh you used by your usage rate (c/kWh divided by 100), add your daily supply charge multiplied by the number of billing days, then add any other charges and subtract credits or discounts. Check whether the rates on your bill already include GST.
Usage cost = kWh × usage rate in c/kWh ÷ 100. For example, 100 kWh at 30 c/kWh is $30.00 before the daily supply charge and any other items are added.
A daily supply charge is a fixed amount, shown in cents per day, for being connected to the electricity network. It applies for every day in the billing period regardless of how much electricity you use.
There is no single Australian rate. The cost per kWh varies by state or territory, distribution area, retailer, tariff and contract. Check the c/kWh figures on your own bill or compare plans on Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare.
Divide your rate in cents by 100 to get dollars per kWh, then multiply by the kWh. For an appliance, watts ÷ 1000 gives kW, kW × hours gives kWh, and kWh × your rate gives the cost.
Yes. Use the Use My Bill mode and enter the billing days, kWh, usage rate, daily supply charge and any other items shown on your bill. This gives the most accurate estimate.
Yes. Enter the kWh imported from the grid, the kWh exported and your feed-in tariff. The export credit equals exported kWh × feed-in tariff ÷ 100. Solar generation and solar export are different things, and solar does not guarantee a zero bill.
A feed-in tariff is the rate, in c/kWh, that your retailer credits you for surplus solar electricity you export to the grid.
A controlled load is a separately metered circuit, commonly used for appliances such as some hot water systems, that is charged at its own rate and supplied at times set by the network or retailer. Not every household has one.
A time-of-use tariff charges different rates at different times of day, usually peak, shoulder and off-peak. The times and rates depend on your plan, so use the figures shown on your bill.
A difference can occur because of GST, discounts, additional charges, tariff structures, adjustments, estimated meter readings, rounding or other items on the bill. A difference does not by itself mean the bill is wrong.
No. Rates differ between states and territories, between distribution areas, and between retailers, tariffs and contracts.
It is only as accurate as the numbers you enter. Using the exact rates and charges from your bill can give a close estimate, while a quick estimate using rounded or assumed figures is indicative only.
Reference rates, where shown, are indicative only. Your actual electricity bill depends on your retailer, tariff, usage, location and other charges. Enter the rates from your own bill for a more personalised calculation. Worked examples and the household-size usage examples are illustrative, not official statistics. Content reviewed September 2026.