2025 Australia Electricity Prices: State-by-State Bill Forecasts
- Default and regulated electricity prices rise nationwide from 1 July 2025, with NSW recording the steepest increases.
- Victoria sees only slight movement, while Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT face moderate to stronger rises.
- WA and NT continue to feel pressure from higher network and wholesale costs outside the NEM framework.
- Federal and state energy credits continue into 2025–26, including an additional $150 bill credit for eligible households.
- Checking concessions and switching to a competitive market plan remain the fastest ways to offset upcoming bill increases.
Why electricity prices are rising in 2025
Electricity bills remain a central cost-of-living concern as Australia enters the 2025–26 financial year. All regulated default tariffs—benchmarks set by state and federal regulators—reset on 1 July. These changes coincide with inflationary pressures and the gradual winding back of earlier bill rebates.
Across the National Electricity Market (NEM)—New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT—regulators have now finalised their 2025–26 determinations. These default or “reference” prices offer a realistic indicator of how typical bills will shift if household consumption stays roughly the same.
While all states experience increases, the scale varies significantly. NSW faces the largest jumps, Queensland and South Australia see moderate rises, and Victoria’s default price moves only slightly. Tasmania and the ACT confirm upward adjustments, and WA and NT—outside the NEM—expect higher costs linked to network investment and wholesale trends.
The national picture: rising benchmarks and fading rebates
Australia’s 2025 energy outlook is shaped by two major factors: underlying market costs and the step-down of temporary bill relief measures introduced in earlier years.
Wholesale electricity prices, although easing from recent peaks, remain elevated in certain regions. Network charges continue to rise as transmission upgrades, maintenance programs and new renewable connections proceed nationwide. At the same time, government bill credits delivered in 2023–24 and 2024–25 are shrinking, revealing the true price of supply more clearly on bills.
These shifts have made electricity one of the key contributors to recent increases in the consumer price index. Households who benefited from rebates last year may notice a more pronounced jump in out-of-pocket costs in 2025–26.
State-by-state 2025 electricity bill forecasts
The table below summarises the most recent regulator determinations for typical residential consumption levels (around 3,900–4,900 kWh annually, though usage varies widely). These figures provide a benchmark rather than a personalised quote.
| State / Territory | Regulated product (2025–26) | Typical annual bill | Approx. change vs 2024–25 | Main driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | Default Market Offer (DMO) | ≈ $1,965–$2,741 | Up ~$155–$228 (≈8–9%) | Higher wholesale and network costs; rebate step-down |
| South-East Queensland (SE QLD) | DMO | ≈ $2,143 | Up ~$77 (≈3–4%) | Network and retail cost increases |
| South Australia (SA) | DMO | ≈ $2,301 | Up ~$71 (≈3%) | Wholesale, network and smart-meter costs |
| Victoria (VIC) | Victorian Default Offer (VDO) | ≈ $1,675 | Up ~$20 (≈1%) | Moderate network and environmental scheme increases |
| Tasmania (TAS) | Standing offer (Aurora) | Typical bill up ~$49 | ≈2.1% rise | Network charge uplift partly offset by lower wholesale costs |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Regulated price (ICRC) | Average bill up by $200+ | Double-digit % rise | Wholesale costs, network fees, feed-in tariff scheme |
| Western Australia (WA) | Regulated Synergy tariffs | Varies; network charges +7% | Higher out-of-pocket bills as credits wind back | Network spending; reduced subsidies |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Regulated tariffs | Pending final review | Upward pressure expected | Network investment and generation costs |
Figures are rounded estimates for typical residential customers. Actual bills vary due to consumption, solar exports, concessions and tariff structure.
New South Wales: steepest rises in 2025
NSW households see the largest increases among all NEM jurisdictions. For an Ausgrid residential customer using about 3,900 kWh annually, the Default Market Offer rises from roughly $1,810 to about $1,965—an 8.6% increase. In Endeavour Energy areas, typical bills climb from around $2,223 to $2,411, while Essential Energy customers see an increase of approximately $228 a year.
Higher wholesale prices, rising network charges and additional metering-related retail costs are the main contributors. Customers who have stayed on default tariffs—rather than switching to market plans—are the most affected.
Queensland and South Australia: moderate movements
Queensland’s 2025–26 DMO increases a typical bill in the Energex area from about $2,066 to $2,143, a rise of roughly $77. In South Australia, the reference bill increases from about $2,230 to $2,301 for an average 4,000 kWh household.
Although these changes are smaller than NSW’s, they add to several consecutive years of upward movement. Many households on competitive market offers already pay less than the default benchmark, highlighting the importance of comparing plans.
Victoria: minimal changes to the VDO
Victoria’s 2025–26 Victorian Default Offer averages around $1,675 for a 4,000 kWh customer—only around $20 higher than last year. Prices remain below many other states for similar usage.
Between networks, the lowest VDO sits in the CitiPower zone (≈$1,547) and the highest in AusNet (≈$1,908). Movement is modest compared with the sharper increases seen from 2022 to 2024.
Tasmania, ACT, WA and NT: upward pressure across unique systems
Tasmania’s Economic Regulator approved a rise of just over 2% for 2025–26, translating to an extra ~$49 annually for a median-usage household. Network charges are the primary contributor.
The ACT’s regulated price increase adds more than $200 to a typical 6,500 kWh household bill, largely due to wholesale trends, network fees and the territory’s large-scale feed-in tariff scheme.
WA and NT, which operate outside the NEM, continue to experience higher network and generation costs. WA’s network charges rise by more than 7%, and earlier household electricity credits are being phased out. NT pricing remains under review, though upward cost pressures are documented.
What is driving the 2025 electricity bill changes?
Despite regional differences, the same core components shape every electricity bill in Australia:
- Wholesale costs – the price retailers pay generators.
- Network charges – transmission and distribution infrastructure costs.
- Environmental schemes – federal and state programs including renewable targets and feed-in tariffs.
- Retail costs – billing, customer service, metering and margins.
Regulators point to several 2025-specific pressures: lingering wholesale volatility, network upgrades to support renewable energy, smart-meter deployment costs and the unwinding of previous rebates that temporarily suppressed bills.
Long-term forecasts suggest prices may gradually ease as more renewable generation enters the grid, but affected households will feel the impact through 2025–26.
Practical steps households can take in 2025
- Check whether you’re on a default or market plan. Default tariffs provide a safety net but are rarely the cheapest.
- Use official comparison tools. Upload a recent bill to see alternative offers from multiple retailers.
- Review concessions and rebates. Eligible concession holders may access additional state assistance.
- Understand tariff structures. Time-of-use and demand tariffs can save money for households able to shift usage.
- Monitor consumption. Adjusting heating/cooling settings, upgrading appliances and maximising solar generation can reduce costs.
Bill relief and policy developments to watch
Governments continue to roll out targeted energy support in 2025–26. A further $150 Energy Bill Relief Fund credit will be applied through retailers for eligible households. Several states still offer ongoing concession programs, hardship support and targeted rebates.
Regulators are also reviewing tariff structures, wholesale pass-through rules and consumer protections as Australia transitions to a more renewable-heavy grid. These reforms aim to balance fairness, competition and stability.
Final guidance for 2025–26
For most households, electricity bills will rise in 2025–26—sometimes by more than general inflation. The most effective steps remain simple: check your current plan, confirm any concessions, and compare offers at least once a year. Small actions can offset much of the increase.
In a rapidly evolving energy market, engaged customers consistently achieve better outcomes than those who stay on default tariffs without reviewing alternatives.
