Australians are continuing to feel the pressure of rising electricity costs, with new research from Compare the Market revealing that almost seven in 10 people surveyed have received an electricity price increase in the past year. However, many aren’t shopping around for a better deal and could be paying more than they need to for their electricity.  

Compare the Market’s new nationally representative survey found 69.93% of Australians surveyed had noticed some sort of price increase to their electricity plan over the past year. Of those, 28.09% had seen increases to both their daily supply and usage charges in the past year.* 

Supply charges refer to the cost of electricity being transported to your property and being connected to the grid, while usage charges are the prices your electricity retailer charges you for the electricity you consume. Retailers can set these prices and there can be huge differences between plans available.  

Almost one in four Australians surveyed (24.26%) said they’d seen a jump in their daily supply charge alone, while 17.58% saw their usage charge increase.  

Just 13.26% of people surveyed said they hadn’t noticed a change to their plans, 1.96% reported their rates are going down, while 14.83% were unaware if their plan had increased, decreased or remained the same. 

Alarmingly, more than half of respondents (56.88%) who had the power to compare plans said they took no action after receiving their latest electricity rate. Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said these Australians could be paying more than they need to on their electricity bills. 

“Some Aussie households may be struggling to keep on top of rising costs, but our research shows many could be accepting higher rates without exploring their options,” Mr Ford said. “With summer just around the corner and many households soon relying on air-conditioning, pool pumps and other energy guzzlers to keep cool in the warmer months, it doesn’t make sense to pay a cent more than you need to for electricity.” 

In some good news, Compare the Market’s research found that nearly one in five Australians surveyed (19.84%) had compared plans online and switched to a retailer with a cheaper deal, while 14.44% called their retailer to switch to a less expensive plan. 

“Paying less on your electricity bills really can be that simple,” Mr Ford said. “Some people wrongly believe that switching plans is complicated or time-consuming, but looking for a cheaper plan with bigger savings typically takes a few minutes if you’ve got your details or a bill handy.” 

Mr Ford said electricity retailers often reserve their most competitive offers for new customers.  

“Loyalty rarely pays when it comes to your electricity plan and in addition to finding a plan with cheaper supply and usage rates, you may also be eligible for other perks or incentives as a new customer,” Mr Ford said. “These can range from free streaming subscriptions or frequent flyer points with some retailers to sign-up credits or access to reward stores with others. 

“Even if you don’t want to switch to a new retailer, check your last bill to ensure you’re on your retailer’s cheapest offer. If you’re not, pick up the phone and request to be moved. 

Mr Ford’s top tips for paying less on electricity bills 

• Compare plans regularly: Energy offers can change frequently, so it’s worth checking the market at least once a year. 

• Review your usage habits: Understanding when and how you use electricity can help identify plans better suited to your household. If you’re on a time-of-use plan, shifting to off-peak or shoulder periods could help lower your costs, while some retailers are even offering certain hours of free electricity at select times.  

• Check for discounts and incentives: Some plans may include sign-up credits, direct debit discounts or other incentives, but these are often reserved for new customers.  

• Don’t automatically roll over: When notified of a price increase, compare alternatives before accepting higher rates. It usually takes a few minutes with no interruption to your electricity supply.  

*Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey 1,018 18+ aged Australian adults, conducted July 2026.