The following information is based on a survey finalised in December 2022 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.
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 crank up the heat on average gas bills across Australia so you can compare them against your costs. We’ll give you an elaborate breakdown from most states, plus highlight average gas bills per household income 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.
On this page:
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 2022 found the average quarterly gas bill to be $172. The highest average gas bills were recorded in South Australia at $208, while those in Western Australia reported the lowest average at $122. Across the country, 43% of survey respondents believe they get a good a deal on gas, while only 10% of bill-payers have switched gas suppliers in the last two years. Despite this low number, 57% said it was a good financial decision to switch.
Average Gas Bills Across the States
The following table shows average quarterly gas bills across Australia, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 2,000 households. The costs reported include households of all sizes.
| State/Territory | Average Quarterly Gas Bill |
| Western Australia | $122 |
| Queensland | $168 |
| New South Wales | $179 |
| Victoria | $186 |
| South Australia | $208 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2022.
As you can see above, South Australia reported the highest average natural gas bills, followed by Victoria and New South Wales. Households in Western Australia had the cheapest quarterly bills, with Queensland trailing a bit behind. Keep reading for a thorough analysis of average gas bills across each state and territory.
Average Gas Bills in NSW
In New South Wales, we found the average quarterly gas bill to be $179. One in 10 NSW bill-payers (10%) said they had switched gas suppliers in the last two years, and more than half (61%) said it proved to be a good financial decision.
NSW Gas Deals
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Average Gas Bills in VIC
Victorian households reported their average gas bills to be $186 per quarter. Only 12% of Victorians have switched gas suppliers in the last couple of years, with 52% stating it was a good financial decision to switch.
VIC Gas Deals
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Average Gas Bills in QLD
We found customers in Queensland had average quarterly gas bills of $168. Only 10% of Queenslanders have switched in the last two years, despite 56% of bill-payers stating it was a good financial decision to switch.
QLD Gas Deals
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for QLD. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Brisbane and yearly gas usage of 6,842MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Average Gas Bills in SA
South Australian bill-payers were found to have an average quarterly gas bill of $208. Given they pay some of the highest bills in the country, it comes as a surprise that a little more than two-fifths (42%) think they get a good deal on gas. For the 7% of respondents that have switched plans in the last two years, 63% agreed it was a good financial decision.
SA Gas Deals
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for SA. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Average Gas Bills in WA
Bill-payers in Western Australia pay an average of $122 on natural gas per quarter, which is the lowest across the nation. Our survey also found that 67% of WA households were happy with their decision to switch gas suppliers, despite only 9% shopping around for a better deal.
WA Gas Deals
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for WA. These estimated annual costs are based on the ATCO Network in Perth and yearly gas usage of 7,672 (units), but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table contains products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Average Gas Bills by Household Income
In the table below, we look at how much households are paying for gas based on the total household income.
| Household Income | Average Quarterly Gas Bill |
| Less than $30,000 | $142 |
| $30,000 to $49,999 | $156 |
| $50,000 to $79,999 | $168 |
| $80,000 to $119,999 | $189 |
| $120,000 and over | $197 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2022.
It’s pretty evident that the more money a household makes, the higher gas expenses are likely to be. That being said, higher income households are seemingly more likely to live in larger homes, with greater energy usage requirements. These findings don’t necessarily suggest lower income families get better gas deals or pay cheaper rates per megajoules (MJ).
Average Gas Bills by Age Group
Here are the average gas bills reported across Australia by age group of the survey respondent.
| Age Group | Average Quarterly Gas Bill |
| 18 to 29 years | $188 |
| 30 to 39 years | $205 |
| 40 to 49 years | $182 |
| 50 to 59 years | $175 |
| 60 to 69 years | $169 |
| 70 years and over | $149 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2022.
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 it could be down to gas consumption habits between different age groups, or simply that most Aussies aged 60 and over have already kicked the kids out.
Average Gas Usage and Supply Rates
We’ve calculated the average usage rates and supply charges for each state by looking at four of the biggest gas suppliers – AGL, EnergyAustralia, Origin and Alinta Energy. This is a general guide only and prices are indicative of each provider’s cheapest market offer.
| State | Average Usage Rate | Average Supply Rate |
| Victoria | 3.52c/MJ | 83.12c/day |
| New South Wales | 4.18c/MJ | 67.40c/day |
| South Australia | 4.91c/MJ | 83.58c/day |
| Queensland | 5.93c/MJ | 78.04c/day |
Average usage and supply rates are for residential customers on a single rate tariff. Averages based off AGL, EnergyAustralia, Origin and Alinta Energy for VIC, NSW and SA, while averages based off AGL, Origin and Alinta Energy for QLD. Postcodes used for example, 3000, 2000, 5000 and 4000. Accurate as of January 2023.
As you can see in this comparison, Victoria has the cheapest gas usage rate, while QLD has the most expensive. For average gas supply rates, we see that NSW has the lowest price, and SA has the highest.
Gas Bill Frequency
In our survey, 55% of customers said they receive gas bills every quarter, while 25% of households receive theirs bi-monthly, and 17% monthly. Some gas suppliers will have multiple billing options, while others require a specific billing cycle, which is why it’s best to check the fine print before signing up to a deal.
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 every detail of a gas plan is important.
- Customer service: Is the level of service you receive from your gas supplier really up to scratch? Whether it’s having longer call centre hours, or an easy sign-up process, customer service is worth thinking about.
- 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.
Read more: What’s cheaper: Electricity or Gas?
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. Here are the cheapest published gas prices on our database at the time of publication, based on a specific set of usage assumptions in each area.
| State | Cheapest Annual Gas Bill |
| South Australia | $795 |
| Victoria | $915 |
| New South Wales | $729 |
| Queensland | $632 |
Source: Canstar Blue gas comparison database, January 2023. Costs are quarterly estimates only and based on specific gas usage rates across certain distribution zones. Postcodes used for example, 5000, 3000, 2000, 4000.
How do your gas bills stack up? If you’re paying more than the figures listed above for your state, you could probably find a better deal by shopping around. As a general rule of thumb, you should compare gas prices at least every six months to ensure you’re still getting a fair deal.
You might also like:
Want to be better than average?
If you’re still reading this page, then you’re probably not convinced you’re paying the cheapest gas prices you could – and that’s okay. At least now you’re making a conscious effort to dial back some of your energy costs. 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.
Image credits: Yevhen Prozhyrko/Shutterstock.com
Share this article