Power shock: Nearly half of Aussies paying more

More than 10 million Australians say their electricity bills have climbed over the past year, and Baby Boomers are particularly concerned about where power prices are heading.

Finder’s 2026 Energy Report found 47 per cent of Australians are paying more for electricity than they were 12 months ago. Almost one in five (19 per cent) say their bill is much higher, while another 28 per cent have noticed a smaller increase.

The research also found Baby Boomers were the generation most likely to report their bills being much higher, at 25 per cent.

Many expect the pressure to continue. Almost half of Australians believe their energy bills will rise again over the coming year, rising to 60 per cent among Baby Boomers.

Finder utilities expert Mariam Gabaji said electricity had become one of the toughest household expenses to control.

“Electricity is one of those bills that’s impossible to avoid, so when prices climb, families have little choice but to absorb the extra cost,” she said.

“Many Australians are experiencing bill shock, particularly during periods of heavy heating or cooling when energy use naturally increases.”

Australians reported spending an average $394.40 on their quarterly electricity bill in July, according to Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker.

Solar savings don’t always stack up

The picture is more complicated for households with rooftop solar.

Among 391 solar owners surveyed, 45 per cent said their system was performing about as expected, while 27 per cent said it had beaten expectations.

But 26 per cent reported being disappointed with the result. Around 22 per cent said they were saving less than they’d been promised, while four per cent felt they’d been misled because their bills were higher than before they installed solar.

The report also found plenty of confusion around feed-in tariffs. Almost one-third of solar owners don’t know what rate they’re receiving for electricity exported to the grid, while 45 per cent receive five cents per kilowatt-hour or less.

Still, most owners wouldn’t turn back. Some 44 per cent say they’re “saving heaps of money”, while another 30 per cent are happy they installed solar but wish they’d added a battery at the same time.

“Solar can absolutely slash electricity bills, but only if your system, energy usage and electricity plan all work together,” Gabaji said.

For households worried they’re paying too much, Finder recommends reviewing electricity plans every six to 12 months, checking your feed-in tariff if you have solar, and comparing offers rather than assuming your existing plan is still competitive.

Check out Here’s How to Save Energy