Millions to See Nearly 10% Surge in Power Bills

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Households across parts of Australia are about to see a jump in their electricity bills — almost 10% in some areas — and it’s got experts urging people to check if they’re getting the best deal.

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) just released its latest “default market offer” (DMO), which is basically the maximum price power companies can charge customers who haven’t shopped around for a better plan. Think of it as a safety net — a kind of baseline offer to protect people from being overcharged. But it’s not necessarily the cheapest option out there.

Starting July 1, 2025, the biggest increases are coming for households in New South Wales, where electricity prices on standing offer plans are set to rise by between 8.3% and 9.7%. In south-east Queensland, the hike is a bit smaller — between 0.5% and 3.7% — and for South Australia, it’s between 2.3% and 3.2%.

Small businesses aren’t being spared either, with increases ranging from 0.8% to 8.5%, depending on the location.

So, what’s causing this? According to AER chair Clare Savage, it mostly comes down to rising costs in wholesale electricity and the infrastructure (like transmission lines) that keeps power flowing. She admits the news isn’t great, especially when families are already feeling the pinch from other rising living costs.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stick with the DMO rate. There are better deals out there — and energy retailers are required to help you find them.

Savage recommends reaching out to your power company to ask if you’re on their best offer. “I strongly encourage all consumers to avoid staying on an old or uncompetitive plan,” she said. “Contact your retailer to see if you can get a better offer or shop around.”

And here’s a handy tip: by law, your energy provider must tell you on your bill at least every 100 days if they can offer you a better deal. So, keep an eye on that front page — it could save you some serious cash.

Don’t just take your current rate for granted. A quick call or a bit of research online could lead to a cheaper electricity bill.

Stay tuned with Aus News Lanka – the leading platform for news for Australians.