The daily supply charge for gas is an inevitable fee that is due no matter how much gas you use. For those who are at the end of their electrification journey, disconnecting from mains gas is a no-brainer. For those of us who are still tethered to gas cooktops, gas hot water systems, or gas heating, the thought of saying goodbye to our gas bills is but a dream.
We’ll unpack what gas disconnection really means, what it costs across Australia, and the practical drawbacks to consider before making the call. We’ll also explore electricity supply charges, blackout implications, and why solar paired with battery storage changes the equation entirely.
What does disconnecting from gas actually mean?
Disconnecting from gas means permanently removing your property from the gas network rather than simply turning off appliances. A licensed gas fitter physically disconnects the service, removes or caps the meter, and lodges the required paperwork with the local distributor. Once completed, the property no longer has access to mains gas.
This step is permanent. Gas supply charges stop immediately, but reconnecting in the future usually requires paying a new connection fee. Because of this finality, gas disconnection is best treated as a long-term decision rather than a short-term cost-saving exercise.
Why daily supply charges matter more than you think
As households electrify, gas usage often drops dramatically, but supply charges remain unchanged. A home might only use gas for cooking, yet still pay hundreds of dollars each year simply to stay connected. Over time, this fixed cost can exceed the value provided by gas altogether.
This is why full electrification is gaining traction across Australia. When gas no longer performs a primary role, it becomes an expensive backup that quietly drains household budgets.
Expected gas disconnection fees by state
Gas disconnection costs vary depending on the state, the local distributor, and the complexity of the property. Apartments, shared meters, and older plumbing can all increase costs. For most detached homes, the following figures provide a realistic guide.
| State or territory | Typical gas disconnection cost |
| Victoria | $220 to $300 |
| New South Wales | $200 to $350 |
| Queensland | $150 to $300 |
| South Australia | $250 to $400 |
| Western Australia | $180 to $350 |
| Tasmania | $200 to $300 |
| ACT | $250 to $400 |
Some distributors include meter removal within the disconnection fee, while others charge separately. It is always worth confirming what is included before booking the work.
Average daily electricity supply charges by state
Once gas is removed, electricity becomes the sole energy supply for the home. Electricity supply charges apply regardless of usage and fund poles, wires, and network maintenance. These charges are unavoidable, even for households with solar.
The figures below reflect typical residential supply charges across Australia. Actual rates vary by retailer and network area.
| State or territory | Average daily electricity supply charge |
| Victoria | $1.00 to $1.20 |
| New South Wales | $1.00 to $1.30 |
| Queensland | $1.10 to $1.40 |
| South Australia | $1.20 to $1.50 |
| Western Australia | $1.00 to $1.10 |
| Tasmania | $1.10 to $1.30 |
| ACT | $1.10 to $1.40 |
Because supply charges cannot be avoided, the focus shifts to reducing usage charges through efficiency upgrades, rooftop solar, and smarter energy use.
The hidden risk of electrification without battery backup
Electrification delivers lower bills and reduced emissions, but it introduces a risk many households overlook. Most grid-connected solar-only systems shut down during blackouts due to safety requirements. When the grid goes down, your solar panels stop generating electricity altogether.
This means fully electric homes without batteries lose power instantly during outages. Lighting, refrigeration, heating, cooling, hot water, and internet all stop working at once. Gas homes, by contrast, often retain partial functionality, particularly for cooking and hot water.
What actually happens during a blackout?
During a blackout, a standard solar inverter disconnects automatically to protect grid workers. Without a battery, there is no way for the home to use solar energy, even on a bright day. The result is a complete loss of power across the household.
This can be particularly challenging during heatwaves, storms, or extended outages, which are becoming more common across Australia. Homes reliant on electric heating, cooling, medical equipment, or home offices are especially vulnerable without backup energy.
How batteries change everything
A home battery with blackout protection fundamentally changes how an electrified home behaves during outages. When the grid fails, the battery isolates the home safely and continues supplying power to selected circuits. Solar can keep generating electricity during daylight, while stored energy supports the home overnight.
This transforms electrification from a vulnerability into a resilience upgrade. Essential loads such as fridges, lights, internet, and heating remain operational. Some systems are even capable of powering the entire home, depending on battery size and load management.
Is disconnecting from gas worth it financially?
For many households, the financial case stacks up quickly. Removing gas supply charges alone can save between $250 and $400 per year. Electric appliances are also significantly more efficient than their gas equivalents, particularly heat pumps, which deliver multiple units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.
Induction cooktops outperform gas while improving indoor air quality, and electric systems generally require less ongoing maintenance. When paired with solar, operating costs drop further, and batteries help households avoid expensive peak electricity pricing.
Environmental and health benefits often overlooked
Gas appliances release nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants inside the home, which can affect respiratory health, especially for children. Electrification removes on-site combustion entirely, delivering immediate indoor air quality improvements.
From a climate perspective, gas is no longer considered a clean transition fuel. Methane leaks across the supply chain significantly increase its emissions footprint. Electrified homes powered by renewables dramatically reduce household emissions over time.
When keeping gas might still make sense
Disconnecting from gas is not the right move for every household right away. Renters, apartment dwellers, and homes with limited electrical capacity may face practical barriers. Some households may also plan future renovations and prefer a staged transition.
In these situations, reducing gas usage first can be a sensible approach. Disconnection can follow once electrical upgrades, appliance replacements, or ownership circumstances change.
The coming reality for new builds and hot water replacements
For many households in New South Wales and Victoria, the choice to keep gas is already narrowing. Changes to planning rules, building standards, and appliance regulations mean that new homes are increasingly electric-only by default, whether owners actively choose it or not. In many councils, gas connections are no longer supported for new developments, and developers are responding by delivering fully electric homes as standard.
Victoria has moved fastest, with new residential gas connections effectively banned in most new developments. New builds must rely on electric solutions for space heating, cooking, and hot water, which makes electrification unavoidable rather than optional. New South Wales is following a similar trajectory, with state and local planning policies increasingly favouring all-electric homes, particularly in growth areas and urban infill projects.
Hot water systems are where this shift will be felt most sharply. Gas systems have traditionally been replaced like-for-like at end of life, often in a hurry when a unit fails.
Read more about Victoria’s 2027 Hot Water Rule: Why 2026 Is the Year to Act
The case for full electrification with solar and batteries
Electrification works best as a complete system rather than isolated upgrades. Solar reduces daytime energy costs, batteries provide resilience and nighttime coverage, and efficient appliances lower overall demand. Smart controls further optimise energy use by shifting loads to cheaper periods.
Together, these elements create a future-ready home that is cheaper to run, healthier to live in, and far more resilient to grid disruptions. Gas disconnection becomes the final step once it no longer adds value.
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Is it time for you to say goodbye to gas?
Disconnecting from gas is a decisive move in the electrification journey, offering immediate savings and long-term simplicity for many Australians. The key lies in planning the transition properly and understanding the implications.
Electrification without batteries exposes households to blackout risks, while electrification with solar and storage delivers genuine energy independence. If gas no longer earns its keep in your home, it may be time to say goodbye for good.
