Electricity prices in Victoria — 2026–27
Victorian Default Offer (ESC) · effective 1 July 2026
Average bill: $1,794–$1,859/year for a 2–3 person household (derived estimate — AER benchmark usage × the Jemena rate). Rates moved −4.6% at 1 July 2026.
Source: ESC Victorian Default Offer 2026–27
| Zone | Covers | Usage c/kWh | Supply c/day | Typical annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CitiPower | Melbourne CBD & inner suburbs | 26.0c | 121.1c | $1,481* |
| Powercor | Western Melbourne & western Victoria | 28.2c | 138.1c | $1,633* |
| United Energy | South-east Melbourne & the Mornington Peninsula | 27.4c | 119.1c | $1,529* |
| Jemena | North-west Melbourne | 27.5c | 127.1c | $1,563* |
| AusNet Services | Eastern & north-eastern Victoria | 32.0c | 128.2c | $1,747* |
* Derived estimate — published rates × 4,000 kWh/year; the regulator publishes rates, not an annual figure.
VIC at the 1 July 2026 reset
- At the 1 July 2026 reset every VIC network's reference price fell: AusNet Services −8.4%, Jemena −4.6%, CitiPower −4.2%, Powercor −4.1% and United Energy −3.2%. The biggest fall nationally was AusNet Services (−8.4%).
- On the same 4,000 kWh a year, VIC's networks run from $1,481 (CitiPower) to $1,747 (AusNet Services), a gap of $267.
- Jemena, the network used for VIC averages on this site, ranks 4th of 16 networks nationally at 4,000 kWh (1st is cheapest; CitiPower at $1,481).
| Network | Usage c/kWh | Supply c/day | Reference bill a year | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AusNet Services VIC | 34.8c → 32.0c | 141.5c → 128.2c | $1,907 → $1,747 at 4,000 kWh | −8.4% (−$160) |
| Jemena VIC | 29.7c → 27.5c | 123.0c → 127.1c | $1,638 → $1,563 at 4,000 kWh | −4.6% (−$75) |
| CitiPower VIC | 27.3c → 26.0c | 124.1c → 121.1c | $1,546 → $1,481 at 4,000 kWh | −4.2% (−$65) |
| Powercor VIC | 30.1c → 28.2c | 136.8c → 138.1c | $1,703 → $1,633 at 4,000 kWh | −4.1% (−$70) |
| United Energy VIC | 28.8c → 27.4c | 116.5c → 119.1c | $1,579 → $1,529 at 4,000 kWh | −3.2% (−$50) |
AusNet Services, Jemena, CitiPower, Powercor, United Energy: both years’ published supply and usage rates, priced at the stated usage. Arrows run from 2025–26 to 2026–27; GST included.
Electricity bill estimator
JemenaA 2-person household uses roughly 4,000–5,500 kWh a year.
- Supply charge (127.1c/day × 365)
- $464.02
- Usage (27.5c/kWh × 4,000 kWh)
- $1,098.80
Rates: ESC Victorian Default Offer 2026–27, effective 1 July 2026 (GST inclusive). This is the government reference/standing rate for North-west Melbourne — market offers can sit below it. Full Jemena price breakdown →
Everything VIC on one page
- Average bill$1,794/yr2-person household, derived from the AER benchmark
- Feed-in tariffDeregulated — no government minimum since 1 July 2025
- Is solar worth it?Payback calculator pre-set for VIC
- Solar rebatesSTC discount + VIC schemes
Frequently asked questions
- Who sets electricity prices in VIC?
- Victorian Default Offer (ESC) sets the reference/standing rates shown here (ESC Victorian Default Offer 2026–27). Retail market offers price against that benchmark — they can be cheaper, and the reference figure is what your plan should beat.
- What does electricity cost per kWh in VIC?
- It depends on your distribution zone — usage rates run from 26.0c to 32.0c/kWh across VIC's 5 networks (table above).
- When do these prices change?
- Every 1 July. The 2026–27 rates apply 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027; this page re-verifies against each new determination.
Related
- CitiPower rates
- Powercor rates
- United Energy rates
- Jemena rates
- AusNet Services rates
- Appliance running costs
- Bill estimator
- Essential Services Commission (Victoria) — VDO price review 2026–27verified
- AER residential consumption benchmarks 2020verified
Average-bill figures are derived estimates (benchmark kWh × the Jemena reference rate) — labelled, never presented as a survey.