Who pays the most per kWh?
Who pays the most per kWh in Australia? The short answer: it depends on where you live, how you buy electricity, and what type of customer you are. But there are some clear front-runners in the price stakes—and not in a good way. Households in regional and remote areas, particularly those not on the National Electricity Market (NEM), often pay the most. Add to that small businesses with variable usage patterns and no energy contract—these groups routinely face the steepest per-kWh rates. But let’s unpack what’s really driving these costs and who cops the biggest hit. Why do electricity rates vary so much in Australia? Electricity isn’t a one-price-fits-all situation. Australia’s fragmented energy market has created a postcode lottery for power bills. Here’s why: Different networks mean different distribution charges. Regional areas often foot higher infrastructure costs. Retail markups are unregulated in many areas, so retailers can charge more where there’s less co...