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With mild winters and humid summer conditions, the Greater Brisbane area has many advantages when it comes to home energy efficiency. As we discover though, electricity usage is comparable to other major cities and prices remain comparatively high.
For Brisbane residents, there are savings to be had. We take a look average usage and electricity bill amounts and, the savings potential of solar in Brisbane.
Table of contents:
The latest census data tells us that the average household in greater Brisbane is made up of 2.6 people 1. Using data prepared by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to measure electricity usage by household and, our own pricing data sourced from electricity retailers, we can calculate average bills in Brisbane.
The average electricity bill in Brisbane is $598.99 per quarter, with daily usage of 15.76 kWh. The monthly electricity bill for the average house of 2.6 people in Brisbane is $199.66.
All of the figures include the daily supply charge.
The table below shows the daily, monthly, quarterly and annual electricity usage and bill figures for the average Brisbane household of 2.6 people
| Period | Electricity use | Bill amount |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | 15.76 | $6.56 |
| Period | Electricity use | Bill amount |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 479 | $199.66 |
| Period | Electricity use | Bill amount |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly | 1,438 | $598.99 |
| Period | Electricity use | Bill amount |
|---|---|---|
| Annually | 5,751 | $2,395.95 |
Average electricity bills in Brisbane by season
If you’re wondering how much power you use in winter compared to the average, the table below shows the average bill amount and usage figures by season:
| Season | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | $212.83 | $638.50 |
| Autumn | $198.21 | $594.62 |
| Winter | $200.02 | $600.07 |
| Spring | $187.59 | $562.76 |
Sources:
1 2021 Census data for Brisbane
Average electricity bills for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5+ person households
We can drill down on the AER data even further to provide average usage and electricity bills for Brisbane households of different occupancy sizes.
The table below shows average electricity bills in Brisbane for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5+ person households. Use the tabs to show the average bill that matches your household:
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | 9.35 | $134.87 | $404.60 |
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Person | 14.04 | $182.36 | $547.08 |
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Person | 16.90 | $211.20 | $633.59 |
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Person | 21.05 | $253.13 | $759.39 |
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Person | 24.12 | $284.20 | $852.60 |
The average electricity bill for a one-person house in Brisbane
The average daily electricity use in Brisbane for a one-person household is 9.35 kWh at a cost of $4.43 per day. Over the course of a month, the bill comes to $134.87 and for a quarter $404.60.
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | 9.35 | $134.87 | $404.60 |
Average electricity bill for a 2-person household in Brisbane
As you might expect, 2-person households in Brisbane use more electricity than single households. The average daily use is 14.04 kWh. The average quarterly bill for 2-person households is $547.08 and monthly it is $182.36.
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Person | 14.04 | $182.36 | $547.08 |
The usage rate and bill amount is very similar to Sydney, but a bit higher than the average electricity bill in Melbourne.
Average electricity bills for 3, 4 and 5+ person households
Usage figures and the average bill amount jumps up with the increase in occupancy, though there is a noticeable difference between 3 and 4-person households.
The table below shows the daily usage, monthly and quarterly average bills for 3, 4 and 5+ person households in Brisbane:
| Household | Daily electricity use | Monthly bill | Quarterly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Person | 16.90 | $211.20 | $633.59 |
| 4 Person | 21.05 | $253.13 | $759.39 |
| 5 Person | 24.12 | $284.20 | $852.60 |
Electricity rates in Brisbane
The total cost of electricity in Brisbane is a combination of usage rates per kWh and the daily fixed supply charge.
To find the average electricity cost in Brisbane, we analysed price data from retailers with the largest market share in each of the major metropolitan zones. Unlike electricity prices in Sydney, rates do not vary much between the zones. Retailers vary more when it comes to feed-in tariffs in Brisbane.
The average cost of electricity in Brisbane is 33.23c per kWh with a supply charge of $1.33 per day.
| Cost / kWh | Daily supply charge | Average | 33.23c | $1.33 |
|---|
How electricity prices in Brisbane are set
Electricity prices in Brisbane are determined by the retailers. The market was deregulated in 2016, and the Queensland government plays no role in regulating electricity rates.
However, electricity retailers must reference the Default Market Offer (DMO) whenever they display their rates. The DMO is set at national level by the Australian Energy Regulator.
Discounts to the DMO
Electricity retailers typically offer discounted rates to the Default Market Offer. The Made Easy website allows you to compare plans from retailers. If you type in your address, you’ll likely be able to choose from a couple of different plans from each retailer.
It’s important to read the conditions of each plan.
The type of plan you select impacts electricity rates
The type of electricity plan you select may impact your rates. Time-Of-Use (TOU) plans typically have different rates to Single Rate plans.
Accessing green power in Brisbane
It’s possible to offset your electricity emissions by selecting a green power plan. Expect to pay a premium to access green power in Brisbane, for example, if you want 100% of your electricity supply to come from renewable sources, expect to pay a premium in the vicinity of 15%.
You can choose to offset 25% of your electricity for a smaller premium (3 – 4%).
Off-peak electricity times in Brisbane
Peak and off-peak electricity times only apply if you are on a Time of Use plan. With Energex being the sole distributor to the greater Brisbane area, the peak and off-peak times are the same amongst the major retailers.
The table below shows the peak, shoulder and off-peak electricity times in Brisbane:
| Peak hours | Shoulder hours | Off-peak hours |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 4pm – 8pm | Weekdays 7am – 4pm, Weekends 7am – 10pm | 10pm – 7am daily |
How solar reduces electricity bills in Brisbane
One of the best ways to save money on electricity is to install solar panels. We take a look at how much solar can reduce average electricity bills in Brisbane.
For the average electricity bill of $598.99 per quarter, installing solar panels in Brisbane with a 6.6kW size system will deliver a good balance between fast payback and saving money. The average electricity bill with solar comes down to $271.77 per quarter.
Over the period of one year, the system will deliver savings of $1,308.90 for a typical household.
An 8kW solar system can deliver even greater savings, though the payback time shifts out a little to just beyond 5 years. It’s important to perform your own solar calculations so that you can see the benefits of panels, and possibly batteries, for your property.
Electricity rebate in Brisbane
The Queensland government is providing a cost-of-living rebate to all eligible households in the form of a $1,000 electricity rebate. The rebate will be automatically applied to electricity accounts in the 2024 / 25 financial year. There is no need to apply for this rebate!
A further grant of $372 is available to concession and eligible vulnerable households.
The electricity rebate comes on top of the 2023 / 24 relief payment of $550.
The electricity rebate is separate from the Queensland solar incentive, which reduces the upfront cost of solar panels.
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