Household gas pricing

The Western Australian Government regulates natural gas prices for small use customers serviced by the main gas distribution systems.

Natural gas prices for small use customers (consuming less than one terajoule per annum) serviced by gas distribution systems in the Mid West/South West, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Albany supply areas are subject to regulation. A gas retailer must have a gas trading licence issued by the Economic Regulation Authority to sell gas to these customers.

The Energy Coordination (Gas Tariffs) Regulations 2000 provide for a regulated price cap on tariffs that retailers can charge small use customers.

Energy Coordination (Gas Tariffs) Regulations 2000

The regions within which the regulated price caps apply includes Geraldton and surrounding areas, Carnamah, Perth metropolitan area extending north to Gingin and south to Busselton. Regulated gas tariff caps do not apply to the reticulated LPG systems in Margaret River, Leinster and Esperance, or to bottled gas.

Regulated gas supply area map (PDF)

Gas retailers that supply large users are not bound by the regulated price caps.

In addition to the regulated price cap on gas tariffs, gas retailers may charge additional fees. The Government does not regulate these additional charges.

Small use customers can chose to buy natural gas from any licensed gas retailer. These retailers cannot charge above the regulated price cap when offering to supply small-use customers under a standard form contract. The retailers can however offer lower prices through non-standard form contracts.

Further information is available in the Economic Regulation Authority’s guide: