What is the average gas bill?

Fact Checked

The following information is based on a survey finalised in December 2023 and calculated as an average of estimated quarterly bills based on survey respondents’ latest bill. As such, the average quarterly bill sums cited may not reflect current energy pricing and billing. Please use the information below as a general guide only and contact your provider if you have any questions about your bill.

In this Canstar Blue guide, we take a look at the average natural gas bills across Australia. We look at data based on state or territory, age group and household size to help you compare.

Even the tightest household budget is no match for an unexpected gas bill. Unfortunately, gas bills are just one more expense many Aussies don’t see coming, which can lead to bill-payers questioning the amount due. And while it may feel natural to query a bill, chances are it’s accurate.

In this guide, we look at the average gas bills across Australia so you can compare them against your costs. We’ll give you an elaborate breakdown from most states or territories, plus highlight average gas bills per household size and age group based on our research data. So, if your home just wouldn’t feel like a home without gas cooking or heating and you’re eager to see what your neighbours are paying, then look no further.

Get better than average – compare plans here

If you want to get ahead of the game and compare plans in your area, jump straight into our natural gas comparison tool.

Average gas bill in Australia

A Canstar Blue survey conducted in December 2023 found the average quarterly gas bill in Australia to be $203. Across the country, 41% of survey respondents believed they get a good a deal on gas, while only 12% of bill-payers havd switched gas suppliers in the last two years. Despite this low number, 57% said it proved to be a good financial decision to switch.

The following table shows average quarterly gas bills across Australia, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 1,800 households. The costs reported include households of all sizes.

Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2023. Northern Territory and Tasmania excluded due to insufficient data.

As you can see above, Victoria reported the highest average gas bills, followed by South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Households in Western Australia had the cheapest quarterly bills, with Queensland trailing behind. Keep reading for a thorough analysis of average gas bills across the capital cities in some of these states.

Average gas bill in Sydney

For households in Sydney, we found the average quarterly gas bill to be $206. Below, we have listed some of the cheapest natural gas plans available on the Jemena Gas Network for households in Sydney. Think you are missing out on a better deal? Compare now.

Compare gas plans in Sydney

Average gas bill in Melbourne

In Melbourne, the average household quarterly gas bill was found to be $250. If you think you could be saving more on your gas bill, then it is time to compare. We’ve listed some of the cheapest plans available on the Australian Gas Network for households in Melbourne below.

Compare gas plans in Melbourne

Average gas bill in Brisbane

The average quarterly household gas bill in Brisbane was found to be $171. To see what prices are like in the market at the moment, we’ve listed some of the cheapest natural gas plans available on the Australian Gas Network in Brisbane.

Compare gas plans in Brisbane

Average gas bill in Adelaide

The average quarterly household gas bill in Adelaide was $225, according to our latest research. If you think you could be paying too much for gas, we’ve compared some of the cheapest natural gas plans on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide below.

Compare gas plans in Adelaide

Average gas bill in Perth

Bill-payers in Perth pay an average of $140 on natural gas per quarter, which is the lowest across the nation. That being said, if you are a Perth household that uses gas and you can’t remember the last time you compared plans, you could be missing out on savings. We’ve listed some of the cheapest natural gas plans available on the ATCO Network in Perth below.

Compare gas plans in Perth

Average gas bill based on household size

As the above average gas costs from our research are based on households of all shapes and sizes, let’s dive further into the data to see how these utility bills look based on household size. The following table shows the average gas bill by household size across Australia.

Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2023.

This table follows an intuitive path, with average gas bills increasing as the number of residents do. The average gas bill for a 1-person household was found to be the cheapest at $168 a quarter. The average gas bill for a 2-person household crept up to $198 per quarter, while 3-person and 4-person households recorded an average of $214 and $254 for quarterly bills respectively. The average gas bill for a 5-person household or more was recorded at $296 a quarter.

Average gas bill based on age group

You’ve now seen the average costs by state, capital city and household size – but how does your age impact the amount you’ll be charged for gas in Australia? We’ve collated our data to show the average gas bills by age group at a national level.

Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2023.

For the most part, there’s a trend of gas bills decreasing the older the customer is. This may be the result of customers being eligible for certain energy rebates or concessions, or gas consumption habits differing between age groups.

What impacts average gas bills?

Natural gas is fairly similar to electricity in that there are many factors that contribute to your overall costs. Before choosing a gas plan, it’s important to think about which features are most important to you. Here’s what you should consider:

• Usage charges: Some gas suppliers have set rates for all gas usage, while others charge gas usage in ‘blocks’, meaning prices will change depending on how much gas your household consumes.
• Supply charges: Gas supply charges are the underlying costs of supplying gas to your home via the gas mains network. Supply charges are generally the fixed price component of a gas bill.
• Hidden fees: Some gas suppliers may tuck fees away in the fine print, such as a connection fee, credit card surcharge, late payment fee, or a paper billing charge. This is why reading the details of your gas plan is important.
• Location: Geography plays a major part in the price of natural gas. Customers should consider the difference in supply and running costs, especially if you live in a regional area or have lower gas usage needs.
• Incentives: Whether it’s discounts or a rewards program, incentives are a great way for providers to compete for your business. It might even be a larger discount for bundling utilities with the same provider.

Can I get a better-than-average gas deal?

This will ultimately come down to your personal circumstances, but to cut a long story short, gas prices can change quite frequently, meaning there are always new deals popping up. By now you should understand that being complacent with an average gas bill will usually mean you’re not on the most competitive plan. To get a better-than-average gas deal, you’ll need to keep an eye on gas prices and be willing to switch if a better deal comes your way.

Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: marketlan/Shutterstock