In many cases, we do not question our monthly energy bill until it arrives and we discover it has cost more than usual. We are typically content with a utility bill that sits within our budget. With the rising cost of living in Australia, however, many households and businesses are now asking a very specific question: what is a normal gas bill per month and how do I know if I am paying too much?
This guide explains how monthly gas bills work across Australia, how regulators and market rules shape what you pay, and practical steps you can take to keep bills under control. It is designed for both residential and business customers that want clear, simple information and a straightforward path to compare plans.
Typical monthly gas bills in Australia
There is no single average bill that applies to every customer. Usage, climate, state based tariffs and retailer pricing all play a role. Public data from regulators and comparison services shows some broad ranges that can help you benchmark your own bill.
Typical monthly gas bills for households
For residential customers connected to reticulated gas:
- Small apartments that use gas only for hot water or limited cooking may see monthly bills in the range of roughly $60 to $90 in many metro areas, assuming mild usage.
- Average family homes that use gas for hot water, cooking and winter heating may see monthly bills between about $80 and $150 across the year, with higher bills in colder months.
- Larger homes, older properties and poorly insulated houses can easily see monthly bills above $150 in winter if gas heating runs for long periods.
These figures are indicative only and can vary by state, retailer and plan type. The aim is not to hit an exact national figure but to understand whether your own bill looks broadly in line with similar households.
Typical monthly gas bills for businesses
Business gas bills vary more widely than residential bills because usage patterns differ significantly between industries.
- Small professional offices and retail stores that use little or no gas may only pay a modest monthly supply charge or a small usage bill.
- Cafes, restaurants and commercial kitchens that rely on gas for cooking and hot water often see monthly bills from a few hundred dollars up to well over $1,000, depending on trading hours and the number of sites.
- Hotels, aged care facilities and health services with large hot water loads may sit in the hundreds to low thousands of dollars per month.
- Manufacturers with ovens, kilns or boilers can spend many thousands per month where gas is a core input.
If your business bill feels out of step with similar operators, it can be a sign that either your usage is higher than it needs to be or that your contract is no longer competitive.
What makes up a monthly gas bill
Whether you are a household or a business customer, Australian gas bills share a few common building blocks:
- Usage charge: a rate in cents per megajoule (MJ) or kilowatt hour (kWh) for the gas you consume.
- Daily supply charge: a fixed amount per day to stay connected to the gas network.
- Network and market costs: the share of pipeline, distribution and market operator fees that your retailer passes through.
- Environmental costs and other charges: state based schemes or carbon related costs where they apply.
- Discounts and fees: such as pay on time discounts, direct debit discounts, and any late payment or disconnection fees.
For most residential and small business customers, the usage charge and daily supply charge make up the bulk of the bill. Larger commercial customers may also see additional components that relate to peak demand or capacity.
Monthly gas bills by Australian state and territory
Because each state has its own distribution networks, tariff structures and mix of retailers, typical monthly gas bills can look quite different across Australia.
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
In NSW and the ACT, many homes and small businesses use gas for cooking, heating and hot water. Typical monthly household bills may sit around the middle of the ranges listed above, increasing through winter when heating loads rise. Small businesses such as cafes and restaurants often pay several hundred dollars per month.
NSW and ACT customers benefit from competitive retail markets. Network charges are regulated by bodies such as the Australian Energy Regulator and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, while retailers compete on usage rates, discounts and contract features. Regular comparison is the simplest way to make sure your monthly bill stays in line with market offers.
Victoria
Victoria has some of the highest levels of residential gas use in Australia because of colder winters and a high proportion of homes with gas heating. Many families see relatively modest monthly bills across the warmer months, then much higher winter bills when heating runs for longer hours.
Businesses in Victoria that rely on gas for process heat or large hot water systems can have particularly high seasonal bills if they have not reviewed their plan recently. If you operate in Victoria, it can be useful to read Zembl’s detailed guide to typical bills and plan structures at:
- https://www.zembl.com.au/energy/average-gas-bill
Queensland
Queensland’s warmer climate often means lower residential gas usage. Many homes rely more on electricity for air conditioning and hot water, which can keep gas bills modest. However, commercial kitchens, hospitality venues and industrial users can still see significant monthly bills because their usage is more intensive.
South Australia
South Australia has a high proportion of gas connected homes, especially around Adelaide. Residential monthly gas bills can be similar to or slightly higher than those in NSW once winter heating is taken into account. For businesses, network charges can be a material line item, so it is important to check both your cents per MJ rate and your daily or monthly supply charges when comparing offers.
Western Australia
WA operates under a somewhat different gas market structure from the eastern states. Retail gas prices for households can be relatively stable, but business gas contracts can vary widely, particularly for larger users. Many Perth households only use gas for hot water or cooking, which keeps monthly bills modest, while hospitality and industrial users can have large monthly spends.
Tasmania and Northern Territory
Reticulated gas networks are more limited in Tasmania and the NT, so many customers use electricity or bottled LPG instead. In regions with piped gas, bills can be similar to other small markets, although there may be fewer retailers to choose from.
How to tell if your monthly gas bill is too high
Instead of focusing only on an Australia wide average gas bill per month, it is more helpful to use a few practical checks.
- Compare against similar properties or businesses. Ask neighbours, industry peers or franchise head offices what a typical gas bill looks like for them.
- Review your own history. Look at your bills over the past 12 to 24 months. If you see a sharp increase that cannot be explained by colder weather, longer opening hours or new equipment, it may be time to review your plan.
- Check your unit rates and supply charges. Compare the cents per MJ or kWh and the daily supply charge on your bill against current market offers in your area.
- Consider your equipment and building. Older heaters, boilers and poorly insulated premises often consume more gas than necessary, which pushes bills above typical levels.
If your usage looks similar to others but your total costs are higher, you might simply be on an uncompetitive plan, especially if your contract rolled over some time ago.
Gas bills for Australian businesses
For many Australian businesses, gas is one of the larger controllable operating costs. Common commercial gas users include:
- Cafes, restaurants and food manufacturers that use gas for cooking, baking and hot water.
- Hotels, clubs and aged care facilities with large hot water and laundry loads.
- Manufacturing plants that use gas in furnaces, kilns or process heat.
- Warehouses and offices that rely on gas heating in colder climates.
Business gas bills are shaped by:
- Annual consumption in MJ or kWh across all sites.
- Peak seasonal demand, especially in winter months.
- Network tariff category and any capacity charges.
- Contract length, pricing structure and whether prices are fixed or market linked.
If your business spends more than a few thousand dollars per year on gas, it is usually worth a structured comparison. Specialist support can help you understand where savings are likely to come from, whether that is sharper rates, a more suitable tariff or operational changes to reduce usage.
To learn more about how commercial energy charges work, including the difference between kWh and MJ and how billing tiers apply, you can read Zembl’s explainer at:
- https://www.zembl.com.au/blog/business-gas-and-electricity-bills-explained
How often to review your gas plan
Gas prices and network tariffs change regularly as wholesale markets move and regulators set new allowances. To keep your monthly bill competitive it is sensible to:
- Review your plan at least once every 12 months, or whenever you receive notice of a price change or contract expiry.
- Run an immediate review if your bill jumps significantly without a clear usage related reason.
- Align your gas review with your electricity review so you see your full energy picture.
For many businesses, it is efficient to review both fuels together. Zembl’s guide to combined quotes explains how to assess gas and electricity at the same time:
- https://www.zembl.com.au/energy/gas-electric-quotes
Practical ways to reduce your monthly gas bill
Once you have checked that your contract is competitive, there are several practical steps you can take to reduce overall usage and keep monthly costs in check.
Improve heater and hot water efficiency
- Service heaters, boilers and hot water systems regularly so they run efficiently.
- Upgrade to higher efficiency models when older units reach the end of their life.
- Use programmable thermostats and timers so systems do not run when spaces are empty.
- Seal drafts and improve insulation to reduce heat loss from your premises.
Optimise gas use in kitchens and processes
- Turn off burners and ovens when they are not needed rather than leaving them idling.
- Use lids on pots and pans where possible to shorten cooking times.
- Check for leaks and have any issues fixed promptly by a licensed gasfitter.
- Consider whether some processes could be shifted to efficient electric options such as induction or heat pumps where that suits your operations.
Monitor and manage usage
- Track your monthly consumption and compare it against previous years.
- Set internal targets to reduce usage, even by a small percentage each year.
- Engage staff in energy saving behaviours, such as closing doors and windows when heating is on.
Australian regulatory and market context
Australian gas markets operate within a framework overseen by federal and state regulators such as the Australian Energy Regulator, the Australian Energy Market Commission and state based pricing and consumer bodies. Key protections for households and many small businesses include:
- Requirements for retailers to provide clear information on prices, fees and contract terms.
- Access to energy ombudsman schemes in each state or territory for dispute resolution.
- Hardship programs and payment assistance options for eligible customers.
- Default and reference offers that act as pricing benchmarks in some jurisdictions.
These settings are designed to provide a safety net, but customers who actively compare plans usually secure better value than those who allow contracts to roll over indefinitely.
How Zembl can help you manage monthly gas bills
Managing gas and electricity costs on your own can be time consuming, especially if you run a business or manage multiple sites. Zembl focuses on helping Australian organisations find competitive energy deals and switch with minimal hassle.
Zembl can help you:
- Review your recent gas and power bills to understand your current rates and usage.
- Compare those rates against offers from a panel of leading business energy retailers.
- Explain your options in clear, practical language and estimate potential savings.
- Handle the switching process if you choose to move to a new plan, with no interruption to supply.
If you are ready to explore options for your business, you can start with a free bill comparison at:
- https://get.zembl.com.au/business-gas
If you primarily want to understand typical gas costs and drivers in more detail, you can also read Zembl’s broader state based guide here:
- https://www.zembl.com.au/energy/best-gas-provider-nsw
Regularly reviewing your plan and taking simple efficiency steps can keep your monthly gas bill within a reasonable range for your type of home or business and free up more cash flow for other priorities.
To find out what deals may be available for your organisation, you can also explore Zembl’s wider services and comparison tools at:
- https://www.zembl.com.au/energy/gas-electric-quotes
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