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Electricity costs in Western Australia

Western Australia operates its own electricity market, separate from the National Electricity Market (NEM) that covers the eastern states. The average WA household pays between $1,400 and $2,000 per year for electricity. Unlike the eastern states, WA's residential electricity prices are partially subsidised by the state government, which has historically kept the regulated tariff below the true cost of supply. However, this subsidy has been gradually wound back, and prices have risen steadily in recent years as the government moves toward cost-reflective pricing.

Price regulation in Western Australia

WA does not have a Default Market Offer or Victorian Default Offer equivalent. Instead, the state government sets the regulated residential electricity tariff, which applies to most households supplied by Synergy in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). There is no open retail competition for residential customers in WA — unlike NSW, Victoria, or South Australia, you cannot switch between competing retailers. The regulated tariff is reviewed and adjusted by the state government, typically on an annual basis. This means your main lever for reducing costs is managing your consumption and tariff structure rather than shopping around for a better deal.

Synergy and Horizon Power

Synergy is the dominant — and for most households the only — electricity retailer in WA, serving customers across the SWIS which covers Perth and the south-west of the state. Horizon Power serves customers in regional and remote areas of WA, including the Kimberley, Pilbara, and Goldfields. Both are government-owned corporations. Because there is no retail competition, WA customers cannot switch retailers the way eastern states customers can. However, you can still optimise your bill by choosing the right tariff and managing when and how you use electricity.

Common tariff types

WA households are typically on the Home Plan (A1) flat rate tariff, the Midday Saver (time of use tariff that rewards daytime usage), or the Smart Home Plan for customers with smart meters. If you have rooftop solar, the Midday Saver tariff can be advantageous because it offers lower rates during the middle of the day when solar generation peaks. The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) provides feed-in tariff payments for excess solar exported to the grid, with higher rates during peak periods and lower rates at other times. Synergy also offers a time of use tariff that charges different rates for peak, off-peak, and shoulder periods.

Western Australia-specific tips

Since you cannot switch retailers in WA, the best way to reduce your bill is to ensure you are on the most suitable Synergy tariff for your household's usage pattern. If you have solar panels, compare the Midday Saver and Smart Home Plan tariffs to see which delivers better value given your generation and consumption profile. Check whether the DEBS feed-in rates on your bill match the current published rates. WA's hot climate means air conditioning is a major cost driver — consider running cooling systems during off-peak hours or pre-cooling your home during the day if you have solar. Uploading your bill to BillDecoder will help you understand exactly where your money is going, even in a market without retail choice.

State energy market information is general guidance current as of March 2026. Verify specific rates and regulations with Synergy, Horizon Power, or the Economic Regulation Authority of Western Australia.