Households and small businesses across South East Queensland are set for significant cost-of-living relief, with residential electricity prices projected to drop by more than 10 per cent in the coming financial year.
According to the latest draft Default Market Offer (DMO) released by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), South East Queensland is leading the nation in price reductions. The benchmark safety net price for residential customers is slated to fall by 10.1 per cent for fiscal year 2026-2027, while small business benchmarks are expected to see an even sharper decline of 12.8 per cent.
The Queensland government has hailed the figures as a direct result of its Energy Roadmap, claiming the strategy delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable power for Queenslanders after a decade of skyrocketing power prices.
The news comes as a welcome reprieve for Queenslanders who grappled with a staggering 19.9 per cent surge in power bills in a single year under the previous administration.
Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said the draft determination proves that stabilising the grid and investing in maintenance is putting downward pressure on prices.
“The draft Default Market Offer from the Australian Energy Regulator demonstrates that the Energy Roadmap is putting downward pressure on power prices, as we said it would,” Janetzki said.
A key pillar of the government’s plan is the AU$1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, designed to ensure state-owned generators operate at peak reliability.
By boosting supply and encouraging private sector investment in new generation, the government aims to keep wholesale costs low.
However, the Treasurer warned that the AER’s reference price is only the start. He has formally written to the CEOs of Queensland’s energy retailers, demanding they pass these projected savings directly to consumers once the final determination is released in May.
“The government is doing its bit to put downward pressure on power bills and it is now up to retailers to ensure savings are passed to customers,” Janetzki said.
A draft determination for regional Queensland is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
