How gas pricing works in Australia
Natural gas is available in most capital cities and many regional areas across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT. Tasmania and the Northern Territory have limited or no residential gas networks.
Gas bills have two main components: a daily supply charge (typically 60 to 90 cents per day regardless of usage) and a usage charge measured in megajoules (MJ), typically 2.5 to 4.5 cents per MJ depending on your plan. Some plans offer declining block rates where the per-MJ price drops the more you use, benefiting households with gas heating.
Victoria has the strongest retail gas competition, with the same major retailers (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia, Alinta, Red Energy) offering gas alongside electricity. In NSW, competition is concentrated in Sydney. In Queensland, SA, and WA, gas competition is more limited.
Our take on gas in Australia
The most important question for Australian gas customers in 2026 is not "which gas plan is cheapest" but "should I still be using gas at all." Gas prices have risen significantly since 2022, and the economics of gas versus electric appliances have shifted decisively in favour of electric for most households.
A modern reverse cycle air conditioner costs 30% to 50% less to run than a ducted gas heater. A heat pump hot water system uses roughly one third the energy of a gas storage system. An induction cooktop is faster and cheaper to run than gas. If your gas appliances are approaching end of life, going all-electric is almost always the better financial decision.
If your gas appliances are relatively new and working well, comparing gas plans to minimise your current costs makes sense. But plan for an all-electric future when those appliances need replacing.
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Compare gas plansGas availability by state
| State | Gas availability | Retail competition |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | Widespread (most homes) | Full competition, 10+ retailers |
| NSW | Sydney metro, some regional | Moderate, 5+ retailers in Sydney |
| QLD | Parts of SEQ only | Limited, 3-4 retailers |
| SA | Adelaide metro, some regional | Full competition |
| WA | Perth metro | Limited, Alinta dominant |
| ACT | Most of Canberra | Partial, ActewAGL dominant |
| TAS | Very limited (parts of Hobart/Launceston) | Minimal |
| NT | No mains gas | N/A (bottled LPG only) |