Electricity reference prices in Australia
From 1 July 2026 the most a typical household can be charged on a standing offer is $1,899 a year on the Ausgrid network and $1,481 in inner Melbourne (CitiPower) — most market offers should beat these. Check whether yours does.
Is your electricity plan a good deal?Retailers must show how their offers compare with this reference price in their ads and fact sheets.
Default Market Offer 2026–27 (residential, flat rate)
Victorian Default Offer 2026–27 (residential, flat tariff)
Small business reference prices (10,000 kWh)
Questions and answers
What is the Default Market Offer?
A maximum annual price set by the Australian Energy Regulator for standing offers in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia. For 2026–27 a typical residential flat-rate customer pays at most between $1,899 (Ausgrid) and $2,604 (Essential Energy) a year.
What is the Victorian Default Offer?
Victoria's regulated standing-offer price, set by the Essential Services Commission. For 2026–27 the typical residential bill ranges from $1,481 (CitiPower) to $1,748 (AusNet) at 4,000 kWh a year.
Are electricity prices going up?
Electricity prices in the CPI were 12.8% higher in September 2026 than a year before (ABS), which includes the effect of government bill rebates.
What about WA, Tasmania, the NT and ACT?
They have their own regulated prices set by state or territory governments and regulators, and are not covered by the DMO or VDO.
Source: Australian Energy Regulator, Default Market Offer 2026–27 information kit (CC BY 4.0); Essential Services Commission (Victoria), Victorian Default Offer 2026–27 (regulated prices quoted as published); ABS CPI (CC BY 4.0).