Many Australian households use natural gas for heating, hot water, or cooking, billed separately from electricity but with a similar structure. This page is general information only.
What's on a gas bill
Like electricity, gas bills generally include a daily supply charge plus a usage charge, measured in megajoules (MJ) rather than kilowatt-hours — usage can vary significantly by season, particularly for gas heating in cooler climates.
Comparing gas retailers
Gas and electricity are often bundled by the same retailer for a combined discount, but it's worth comparing the gas component separately too, since a strong electricity discount doesn't necessarily mean the gas rate is competitive.
Gas versus electric appliances
Whether gas or electric appliances work out cheaper to run depends on your specific tariffs and usage patterns, and this comparison has shifted in some households as electricity efficiency (particularly reverse-cycle heating and heat pump hot water) has improved.
Key takeaways
If your gas usage is highly seasonal, comparing plans specifically around winter usage, rather than an annual average, will usually give a more realistic picture of the best deal for your household.