How much does it cost to run an induction cooktop (per zone)? (2026–27)
At typical draw · official state tariffs
Typical household use (0.5 h/day, 365 days a year at 2,000 W) runs $100–$153 a year depending on your state's tariff.
Wattage basis: Per-zone ratings: small zones 1,200–1,500 W, medium 1,800–2,000 W, large/boost 2,500–3,000 W (Fisher & Paykel zone specs).
| State | Model | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales33.1c/kWh · Ausgrid | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.40 | $0.20 | $6.04 | $73 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.66 | $0.33 | $10.07 | $121 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $0.99 | $0.50 | $15.11 | $181 | |
| Victoria27.5c/kWh · Jemena | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.33 | $0.16 | $5.01 | $60 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.55 | $0.27 | $8.35 | $100 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $0.82 | $0.41 | $12.53 | $150 | |
| Queensland28.0c/kWh · Energex | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.34 | $0.17 | $5.10 | $61 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.56 | $0.28 | $8.50 | $102 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $0.84 | $0.42 | $12.76 | $153 | |
| South Australia41.9c/kWh · SA Power Networks | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.50 | $0.25 | $7.64 | $92 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.84 | $0.42 | $12.74 | $153 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $1.26 | $0.63 | $19.11 | $229 | |
| Western Australia33.3c/kWh · Western Power (SWIS) | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.40 | $0.20 | $6.07 | $73 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.67 | $0.33 | $10.11 | $121 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $1.00 | $0.50 | $15.17 | $182 | |
| Tasmania28.0c/kWh · TasNetworks | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.34 | $0.17 | $5.10 | $61 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.56 | $0.28 | $8.50 | $102 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $0.84 | $0.42 | $12.75 | $153 | |
| Australian Capital Territory37.0c/kWh · Evoenergy | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.44 | $0.22 | $6.74 | $81 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.74 | $0.37 | $11.23 | $135 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $1.11 | $0.55 | $16.85 | $202 | |
| Northern Territory31.7c/kWh · Power and Water | Efficient (1,200 W) | $0.38 | $0.19 | $5.78 | $69 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.63 | $0.32 | $9.63 | $116 | |
| High (3,000 W) | $0.95 | $0.48 | $14.45 | $173 |
Where an induction cooktop costs more
- South Australia is the dearest state to run one: $0.84 an hour at 2,000 W on its 41.9c/kWh rate, against $0.55 in Victoria. Over a year of typical use that gap is $53 (52.6% more).
- By yearly running cost at typical use it ranks 16th of the 26 appliances costed on this site (1st costs the most): $121 a year at the NSW rate.
- An efficient 1,200 W model costs $61 a year less than a typical 2,000 W one in SA at 0.5 hours a day for 365 days ($40 less in VIC); a high-draw 3,000 W model uses 2.5 times the power of the efficient one.
- At the 1 July 2026 price reset, typical-use cost fell $8 in VIC (Jemena usage rate 29.7c to 27.5c/kWh) and rose $3 in WA (Western Power (SWIS) usage rate 32.4c to 33.3c/kWh).
| Rank | State | Usage rate | Typical year | Above the cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria | 27.5c | $100 | — |
| 2 | Tasmania | 28.0c | $102 | +$2 |
| 3 | Queensland | 28.0c | $102 | +$2 |
| 4 | Northern Territory | 31.7c | $116 | +$15 |
| 5 | New South Wales | 33.1c | $121 | +$21 |
| 6 | Western Australia | 33.3c | $121 | +$21 |
| 7 | Australian Capital Territory | 37.0c | $135 | +$35 |
| 8 | South Australia | 41.9c | $153 | +$53 |
Rates by state (each state's capital-city network): NSW: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8); VIC: ESC Victorian Default Offer 2026–27; QLD: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8); SA: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8); WA: WA Government Standard Electricity Prices 2026–27 (Synergy Home Plan A1); TAS: OTTER-approved Aurora Energy Standing Offer 2026–27 (approved 25 June 2026) — Tariff 31; ACT: ICRC retail electricity price recalibration 2026–27 (ActewAGL standing offer); NT: NT Electricity Pricing Order 2026–27 (Jacana Energy standard residential). All effective 1 July 2026.
Appliance running-cost calculator
NSWInduction cooktop: 1,200–3,000 W typical range.
15–45 min per session per zone; a whole 4-zone cooktop flat-out can exceed 7,000 W but cost is modelled per active zone.
- Per day (0.5 h)
- $0.33
- Per month
- $10.07
- Per year (365 days)
- $120.95
Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: Fisher & Paykel induction cooktop specifications. Full induction cooktop costs in NSW →
Cutting the cost
Induction is the most efficient cooktop because it heats the pan directly and wastes little to the air. Match the pot to the ring size, keep a lid on to hold the heat, and use the boost setting to bring water up fast, then ease it back. Flat, magnetic-based cookware couples best. Because it responds instantly, you can turn it down sooner than you would a gas or radiant hob.
Frequently asked questions
- How is the running cost calculated?
- Watts ÷ 1,000 × the electricity rate = cost per hour. An induction cooktop drawing 2,000 W on NSW's 33.1c/kWh rate costs $0.66 an hour; the calculator below lets you change every input.
- Does a higher star rating cut the cost?
- Yes. The star rating compresses the power draw or energy per use, which scales these figures directly. The low–high band in the table (1,200–3,000 W) roughly spans efficient to inefficient models.
Related
- Ducted aircon
- Split-system aircon
- Portable aircon
- Ceiling fan
- Reverse-cycle heating
- Electric heater
- All appliances
- Appliance calculator
- Fisher & Paykel induction cooktop specifications
- State reference tariffs (per-zone determinations)verified
Costs use each state's representative-zone reference usage rate, effective 1 July 2026. 15–45 min per session per zone; a whole 4-zone cooktop flat-out can exceed 7,000 W but cost is modelled per active zone.