How is the running cost calculated?

Watts ÷ 1,000 × the electricity rate gives cost per hour; the yearly figure uses 0.25 h/day, 365 days a year at 1,300 W.

Does a higher star rating cut the cost?

Yes — efficiency ratings reduce the draw or energy per use, which scales the cost directly; the low–high wattage band spans efficient to inefficient models.

Why does the state matter?

Each state's usage rate differs, so the same hour costs $0.36–$0.54 depending on the state.

How much does it cost to run a microwave? (2026–27)

Name: Microwave running costs Australia 2026–27
Creator: Eco Cost Savings — microwave wattage study
License: https://ecocostsavings.com/microwave-wattage/

At typical draw · official state tariffs

$0.36–$0.54 per hour at 1,300 W

Typical household use — 0.25 h/day, 365 days a year at 1,300 W — runs $33–$50 a year depending on your state's tariff.

Wattage basis: Electrical input runs ~40% above the cooking-output wattage on the door: a 900–1,000 W-output unit draws ~1,300 W input (study of 203 models, ~71% efficiency).

Microwave running cost by state at typical draw (2026–27 reference tariffs)
State	Tariff c/kWh	Per hour	Typical year
New South Wales	33.1c	$0.43	$39
Victoria	27.5c	$0.36	$33
Queensland	28.0c	$0.36	$33
South Australia	41.9c	$0.54	$50
Western Australia	33.3c	$0.43	$39
Tasmania	28.0c	$0.36	$33
Australian Capital Territory	37.0c	$0.48	$44
Northern Territory	31.7c	$0.41	$38

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

State

Power draw (watts)

Microwave: 1,000–1,700 W typical range.

Hours per day

Days per year

10–15 min/day of actual heating in a typical household.

$0.43 per hour · $39/year at your settings

Per day (0.25 h): $0.11
Per month: $3.27
Per year (365 days): $39.31

Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: Eco Cost Savings — microwave wattage study. Full microwave costs in NSW →

Cutting the cost

For small portions, reheating and single servings, the microwave beats the oven comfortably, because it heats the food rather than a big empty cavity. Cover dishes to trap the steam and heat evenly, and stir partway through. Its standby draw is trivial next to how you cook, so the real win is simply reaching for it instead of the oven on quick jobs.

Frequently asked questions

How is the running cost calculated?: Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A microwave drawing 1,300 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.43 an hour — the calculator above 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 this page's figures directly. The low–high band in the table (1,000–1,700 W) roughly spans efficient to inefficient models.
Why does the state matter?: The appliance draws the same power everywhere — but each state's reference usage rate differs, so the same hour of running costs $0.36 in the cheapest state and $0.54 in the dearest. Pick your state above for exact figures.

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

Costs use each state's representative-zone reference usage rate, effective 1 July 2026. 10–15 min/day of actual heating in a typical household.

How much does it cost to run a microwave? (2026–27)

Appliance running-cost calculator

Cutting the cost

Frequently asked questions

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