Gas bill got you stumped? Don't fret - this quick video will help you decipher those confusing numbers and graphs. Check out our full guide with an example gas bill at electricityandgas.com.au

Find out how to read gas bills from your supplier. Cut through the jargon, fine print and rates to figure out exactly what you are paying for.

Gas Tariffs
Put simply, your gas tariff is the amount you pay for gas supply and consumption. Energy companies offer different tariffs depending on where you live.

Tariffs have two main components: the supply charge and the usage charge.

Supply charge
Whether it’s called a supply charge, a fixed charge, or a service charge on your bill, we’re talking about the same thing. This is a fixed, unavoidable fee that covers the cost of supplying gas to your property. No matter how much or how little gas you use, this fee will not be affected. The supply charge usually appears on your bill in cents per day or as a total amount for the billing period (for example, a single fee covering 90 days).

Usage charge
The usage charge (also called a variable or consumption charge) is the part of the bill you can impact. It is directly connected to how much gas you use during the billing period, appearing on your bill in cents per megajoule (c/MJ).

Tariff Blocks
Take a look at your gas bill. You may notice that you’re being charged different rates for your usage. With a tariff block, there’s one rate for the first section of usage (considered to be your peak usage), a second rate for the next section of usage, and so on.

Additional Fees
It’s not unusual to see fees on your bill besides the standard charges. These are a few additional fees that may appear:
- A payment processing fee (usually when paying by credit card)
- An early termination fee
- An establishment fee for new customers
- Late payment fee

Meter Readings
Your gas provider has to read your meter in order to get accurate information on how much gas you are using. Your bill should provide the following details:
- When your meter was actually read
- When your next meter reading is scheduled

Estimated reading
Occasionally, the meter reader will be unable to access the meter during the billing cycle. In this case, an estimated reading will appear on your bill. As it sounds, this may not be a complete or accurate reading, but it is an estimate based on previous usage patterns at your property. If the estimation is incorrect (which it likely will be), it will be fixed up (see below). It should be clearly stated as an estimate on the bill.

Adjustments will be made on the next actual meter reading if the estimate was too high or too low.

Monitoring Costs Over Time
Your gas bill should show you the current charges, as well as the charges at the property for the same period in the previous year. It’s a good way to keep track of your usage patterns to get an understanding of your household’s gas consumption.

Reducing Your Gas Bill
If your gas bill is too high, you usually have two options:

1) Use less gas. Be aware of the way you use energy and take steps to reduce your consumption. This is sometimes easier said than done, but it is possible!
2) Shop around for a better offer. Available offers will depend on your location. If there are other gas companies in your area, it’s worth comparing quotes to see if you can get a better price. Visit our site to find out more about offers available to you.

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