How is the running cost calculated?

Watts ÷ 1,000 × the electricity rate gives cost per hour; the yearly figure uses 7 loads a week at 1.2 kWh per load.

Does a higher star rating cut the cost?

Yes — efficiency ratings reduce the draw or energy per use, which scales the cost directly; the low–high wattage band spans efficient to inefficient models.

Why does the state matter?

Each state's usage rate differs, so the same hour costs $0.49–$0.75 depending on the state.

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher? (2026–27)

Name: Dishwasher running costs Australia 2026–27
Creator: EcoFlow AU — dishwasher power consumption
License: https://www.ecoflow.com/au/blog/dishwasher-power-consumption

At typical draw · official state tariffs

$0.49–$0.75 per hour at 1,800 W

Typical household use — 7 loads a week at 1.2 kWh per load — runs $120–$183 a year depending on your state's tariff.

Wattage basis: Draws 1,200–2,400 W while the heating element runs; ~1.2 kWh per normal cycle.

Dishwasher running cost by state at typical draw (2026–27 reference tariffs)
State	Tariff c/kWh	Per hour	Typical year
New South Wales	33.1c	$0.60	$145
Victoria	27.5c	$0.49	$120
Queensland	28.0c	$0.50	$122
South Australia	41.9c	$0.75	$183
Western Australia	33.3c	$0.60	$145
Tasmania	28.0c	$0.50	$122
Australian Capital Territory	37.0c	$0.67	$161
Northern Territory	31.7c	$0.57	$138

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

State

Power draw (watts)

Dishwasher: 1,200–2,400 W typical range.

Hours per day

Days per year

The energy-label basis is 7 cycles/week; eco programs use 0.5–0.8 kWh, intensive 1.2–1.8 kWh.

$0.60 per hour · $871/year at your settings

Per day (4 h): $2.39
Per month: $72.53
Per year (365 days): $870.85

Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: EcoFlow AU — dishwasher power consumption. Full dishwasher costs in NSW →

Cutting the cost

Run it only when it's full, and use the eco or auto cycle, which washes longer at a lower temperature to save water and heat. Scrape the plates instead of pre-rinsing them under a hot tap. Skip the heated-dry option and crack the door open at the end to let everything air-dry. If your plan has cheaper off-peak hours, use the delay-start to land the cycle in that window.

Frequently asked questions

How is the running cost calculated?: Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A dishwasher drawing 1,800 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.60 an hour — the calculator above lets you change every input. For this appliance the yearly figure uses its measured energy per use rather than a constant draw.
Does a higher star rating cut the cost?: Yes — the star rating compresses the power draw or energy per use, which scales this page's figures directly. The low–high band in the table (1,200–2,400 W) roughly spans efficient to inefficient models.
Why does the state matter?: The appliance draws the same power everywhere — but each state's reference usage rate differs, so the same hour of running costs $0.49 in the cheapest state and $0.75 in the dearest. Pick your state above for exact figures.

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

Costs use each state's representative-zone reference usage rate, effective 1 July 2026. The energy-label basis is 7 cycles/week; eco programs use 0.5–0.8 kWh, intensive 1.2–1.8 kWh.

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher? (2026–27)

Appliance running-cost calculator

Cutting the cost

Frequently asked questions

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