Prices are finally falling for some Australians after years of increases — but not everyone will benefit. Here's the full picture by state.
View live wholesale prices →Stats updated: 2026-07-19
From 1 July 2026, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Default Market Offer (DMO) for residential customers on standing offers has seen prices decrease in New South Wales and South East Queensland, while South Australia experienced a modest increase. In NSW, residential flat rate standing offers are down between 3.4% (A$66) and 5.0% (A$137) annually, with time-of-use offers seeing larger reductions of up to 7.7% (A$211). South East Queensland residential customers on flat rates will see a 7.2% (A$155) decrease, and time-of-use customers a 10.7% (A$229) decrease. Conversely, South Australian residential flat rate standing offers have increased by 1.4% (A$33) annually, though time-of-use customers will see a 1.1% (A$25) decrease. In Victoria, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) announced a 5.0% average decrease in the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) for residential customers, equating to approximately A$84 per year for a typical household, effective from 1 July 2026. It's crucial to remember that the DMO and VDO are safety net prices, and more competitive market offers are often available, potentially offering savings of up to 20% below these benchmarks.
Several state-based government rebates and concessions are available to eligible Australian households for the 2026-27 financial year, as the federal Energy Bill Relief Fund concluded in December 2025. In New South Wales, the Family Energy Rebate offers up to A$180 annually for retail customers and A$198 for embedded network customers, with applications opening in August 2026. Eligible self-funded retirees in NSW can also apply for the A$200 Seniors Energy Rebate from 10 August 2026. Queensland pensioners, veterans, and seniors may receive the Electricity Rebate of A$399.47 per year. South Australian concession card holders can access an Energy Concession of up to A$291.27 annually, and the SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO) provides a 20% discount off Origin's standard electricity usage and supply charges for eligible customers. Victorian households holding eligible concession cards can receive a 17.5% concession on electricity usage and service costs. Additionally, Victoria's new Midday Power Saver initiative, launching 1 October 2026, will offer three hours of free electricity daily (11 am to 2 pm) for households able to shift their usage.
To effectively lower your electricity bill in 2026, the most impactful first step is to compare your current energy plan with other retailer offers, as the ACCC estimates savings of around A$221 for those who haven't switched in three years. Investing in energy-efficient home upgrades can also yield significant savings; for instance, installing solar panels, especially with the Solar Victoria rebate of up to A$1,400 and federal STC discounts, can drastically reduce grid reliance. Adding battery storage allows you to use stored solar power during peak evening rates, potentially saving A$80-A$120 per month in Melbourne. Optimising heating and cooling, which accounts for up to 40% of household energy use, by adhering to the '24°C in summer / 20°C in winter' rule can save approximately 10% on running costs for every degree adjusted. Upgrading to LED lighting can reduce lighting costs by up to 75% compared to halogens, saving hundreds of dollars annually.
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