Households in hardship or on the brink
Source: Energy Consumers AustraliaThe problem
Electricity prices for households have risen 220 per cent since 2004.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.The crisis in numbers
Eight figures every Australian should know.
Key statistics from regulators, peak bodies and charities.
Average household energy debt
Source: Australian Energy RegulatorHouseholds in long-term debt
Source: Australian Energy RegulatorElectricity price rise for households since 2004
Source: Australian Bureau of StatisticsProjected further price rise from Nov 2025 to July 2026
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, WestpacNSW spot price spikes above $10k/MWh in 2024
Source: Australian Energy Market OperatorHouseholds skipping meals due to financial strain
Source: Foodbank Hunger ReportHouseholds seriously concerned about power costs
Source: Choice National SurveyWho’s affected
This is not abstract. It is happening in every postcode.
Households
One in five Australian households are now in energy hardship or on the brink. Average energy debt has climbed to $1,367, with 20% of families skipping meals or going days without eating due to financial strain. Renters, parents and pensioners are bearing the heaviest load.
Households in hardship or on the brink
Source: Energy Consumers AustraliaSmall business
Rising energy costs are now the #1 factor impacting the finances of small businesses. Cafés, butchers, panel beaters, dry cleaners — small businesses across the country are being forced to choose between passing on price increases to customers or not being able to pay the bills. In 2024, 1 in 5 small businesses were unable to pay their energy bills on time or in full.
Small businesses reporting difficulty paying energy bills
Source: Council of Small Business Organisations AustraliaHeavy industry
Smelters, refineries, fertiliser plants and food processors operate on margins that cannot survive high energy prices. When industry leaves Australia, it does not come back easily. We have already lost manufacturing capacity that took decades to build, with 39,400 manufacturing jobs lost in the last two years alone.
Manufacturing jobs lost from Feb 2024 to Feb 2026
Source: Jobs and Skills AustraliaPensioners
Australians on fixed incomes cannot continue absorbing energy bill increases. 41% of older Australians are rationing heating in winter and cooling in summer, with many more forced to make daily sacrifices to make ends meet.
Australian seniors rationing heating and cooling
Source: Australian SeniorsThe trajectory
Australian energy prices keep on climbing
Electricity and gas prices have risen to record highs in recent years and they show no signs of coming back down.