Gas Bill Calculator (Australia)
Estimate your gas bill per quarter and per year, and compare it with running the same home on electricity.
The all-electric comparison assumes gas appliances are about 85% efficient and heat pumps (reverse-cycle air conditioning and heat pump hot water) deliver about 3.5 units of heat per unit of electricity. It also assumes you stop paying the gas supply charge. It doesn't include the cost of buying new appliances.
Printed from ClearCalc (clearcalc.com.au/gas-bill-calculator/). Estimates only, not financial advice.
How gas bills are calculated
Gas is measured in megajoules (MJ). Your bill is:
(MJ used × usage rate) + (days × daily supply charge)
Many plans charge a higher rate for the first block of gas you use each day or quarter and a lower rate after that. This calculator uses one average rate, so for the most accurate figure, divide your bill's total usage charge by the MJ used.
Typical gas rates by state (2026–27)
| State | Usage (per MJ) | Supply (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 4.67c | $0.79 |
| Victoria | 3.82c | $0.90 |
| Queensland | 4.56c | $1.32 |
| South Australia | 5.74c | $0.90 |
| Western Australia | 7.26c | $0.27 |
| Tasmania | 5.47c | $0.82 |
| ACT | 4.17c | $0.77 |
These are average usage rates and supply charges, including GST, from a survey of plans in September 2026. Gas in WA is mostly bottled or on a separate network, and very few homes in the Northern Territory have mains gas.
How much gas does a home use?
Gas use depends heavily on whether you heat your home with gas. A home that only cooks with gas might use 10–15 MJ a day. Adding gas hot water lifts that to around 50–80 MJ a day. Homes with ducted gas heating in cold climates like Melbourne, Canberra or Hobart can use 300 MJ or more a day in winter.
Is it cheaper to go all-electric?
Often, yes, especially once you drop the gas supply charge. Modern reverse-cycle air conditioners and heat pump hot water systems produce three to four units of heat for every unit of electricity, so they can be much cheaper to run than gas, particularly with solar. Victoria, the ACT and other states offer rebates to help with the switch. Use our electricity bill calculator to see what your power bill would look like.
Frequently asked questions
How many MJ of gas does an average house use?
It varies widely. A typical home with gas hot water and cooking uses around 50–80 MJ a day, while homes with gas heating can average 150 MJ a day or more across the year.
How do I convert gas usage from m³ to MJ?
Your bill does this for you using a heating value, usually around 38–39 MJ per cubic metre. Multiply cubic metres by the heating value shown on your bill.
Why is my winter gas bill so high?
Heating uses far more gas than hot water or cooking, so winter bills can be two to three times higher than summer bills in cold states.
What is a good gas rate?
Usage rates of around 3–5 cents per MJ are common in the eastern states in 2026–27. Compare the total bill, not just the rate, because supply charges differ too.
Official sources used for this calculator include: Australian Energy Regulator – Default Market Offer, Essential Services Commission – Victorian Default Offer, Energy Made Easy (Australian Government). See how we calculate.
Reviewed by the ClearCalc team. Last reviewed October 2026. This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. Check important figures with the relevant government agency or a licensed professional.