Australians are bracing for another quarter of energy bill hikes as the nation’s colder months finally come to an end.
Months of cranking up the heating could soon come back to bite ratepayers in the wallet, with nearly half of households expecting a post-winter bill shock.
Recent research by renewable energy service group Green revealed that one in two Aussies are preparing for a significant hit to their finances when their winter energy bill finally arrives, with 17 per cent already hit by another rise in costs.
Despite federal government efforts to provide energy bill relief, many Aussies struggle to keep up.
The federal government’s $1.5 billion Energy Bill Relief scheme was increased to $3.5 billion in 2024-25, giving households a $300-325 rebate annually.
However, with the cost of living reaching boiling point, many feel that more than this support is needed to cover the closing gap between income and energy expenses.
In fact, statistics show that the scheme has had little or no effect, with a third of households now paying more than $300 extra per month on energy compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, one in every 14 households nationwide now receives a quarterly energy bill of $1000 or above.
Energy bills charge above food expenses
Energy bills have now even overtaken food as the largest expense for many families, with a third of homeowners declaring gas and electricity are their biggest costs. Renters are doing it even tougher, with 42 per cent saying energy bills have topped their expenses.
The research also revealed that most Aussies were open to getting solar if they could recoup the costs in five years or less, with more than two-thirds saying they are willing to invest $8000-10,000 if they could save $2000 on their annual energy bills.
Green CEO David Green told Build-it that these shifting attitudes towards solar energy showed Australians were not only tired of rising energy prices but they’re also in consensus that solar investment would pay off.
“There are multiple factors affecting how much Australians will pay for gas and electricity and, in turn, how appealing solar energy will be to them,” he said.
“Electricity prices depend on the safety nets that apply to your region, your location and climate, your retail plan, the size of your household and how often you are home to use energy.”
David said those wanting the most savings could also consider installing a solar battery system to ensure they have access to cheap power at night and on overcast days.
“It’s clear that the cost of energy is impacting people and their household budgets. Solar and solar batteries are and always will be the best way to take control and have a positive impact on your usage and power bills,” he advised.
