How Often Do You Pay Electricity Bills

Your bill frequency comes down to your meter type and retailer. Basic meter households are generally on quarterly billing. Getting an actual meter reading scheduled each billing period takes time, and retailers build that into the cycle. Switch to a smart meter and that friction disappears. Usage data goes straight to the retailer, and monthly billing becomes a straightforward option.

Gas follows its own schedule. Victoria runs on bi-monthly gas billing in most cases. Elsewhere, monthly or quarterly cycles apply, and it comes down to your retailer.

The AER State of the Energy Market 2024 report puts the average Australian electricity bill at between $1,800 and $2,200 per year. That works out to roughly $150 to $183 per month, though where you live, your energy usage, and how much power you consume will shift that figure in either direction.

The table below shows estimated annual electricity costs by household size, based on AER consumption benchmarks. Figures are inclusive of GST and reflect typical usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Gas usage, where applicable, is measured in megajoules (MJ) and billed separately.

These figures give you a useful benchmark. If your previous bills are consistently sitting above them, GoSwitch can show you what energy plans are available across NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA and what switching could save you.

Your electricity bill has more moving parts than most people realise. Here is what each line item actually means:

• Supply charges are a flat daily fee. You pay it regardless of how much power you use, simply for being connected to the network.
• Usage charges are what you actually pay for the electricity you consume, calculated in kilowatt-hours (kWh) against the rates set out in your electricity tariffs.
• Time of use rates apply if you are on a time of use tariff, with lower rates during off-peak periods and higher rates during peak demand hours.
• Controlled load is a separate, cheaper rate for high-draw appliances like a hot water system, supplied during set off-peak hours.
• Solar feed-in credits appear if you have a solar system, with excess energy exported to the grid credited against your total energy bill.
• Rebates from state or federal government schemes are applied directly as a credit where eligible.
• GST at 10% applies to all charges.

An estimated bill is issued when your retailer cannot obtain an actual meter reading from your electricity meter during a billing period. This happens more often with basic meters, where a physical read is required, and access to the meter is sometimes restricted.

With a digital meter, usage data is sent automatically to your retailer, which reduces the likelihood of estimated bills. If your property still has a basic meter, keeping it accessible is one of the simplest ways to ensure accurate metering each billing period.

If you do receive an estimated bill, check your next bill carefully. Retailers reconcile estimated usage against actual reads, which can result in a credit or an additional charge depending on whether your usage was over or under-estimated.

To request an actual meter reading, log in to your retailer’s app or online account portal.

Several factors can push your electricity bill above what you’d normally expect.

• Seasonal spikes from heating or cooling demand are the most common cause, particularly for households without a smart meter tracking real-time electricity usage.
• Being on the wrong tariff costs more than most people realise. A time-of-use plan works well if you can shift usage to off-peak periods, but it can backfire if you cannot.
• Ageing appliances and poor energy efficiency quietly add to consumption over time.
• Small business customers running equipment during peak hours face the same issue on a larger scale.

Sometimes the issue is not how much electricity you use but what you are paying per kWh. GoSwitch can show you what else is available in your area.

Switching energy plans is simpler than most people expect. Your distributor stays the same, your meter type does not change, and your power supply is never interrupted. Here is how the process works:

1. Enter your postcode into GoSwitch to see energy plans available in your area from a range of energy retailers.
2. Compare usage rates, supply charges, and payment options, including direct debit and payment plans.
3. Check whether the plan suits your setup, including smart meter compatibility, small business requirements, or bill smoothing preferences.
4. Select your preferred plan and complete the switch online. GoSwitch handles the transfer with your new retailer directly.

Your first bill under the new plan will reflect your actual meter reading from the switchover date.