How is the running cost calculated?

Watts ÷ 1,000 × the electricity rate gives cost per hour; the yearly figure uses 7 h/day, 365 days a year at 1,000 W.

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 $0.27–$0.42 depending on the state.

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

Name: Pool pump running costs Australia 2026–27
Creator: Canstar Blue — pool pump running costs
License: https://www.canstarblue.com.au/home-garden/pool-pump-running-costs/

At typical draw · official state tariffs

$0.27–$0.42 per hour at 1,000 W

Typical household use — 7 h/day, 365 days a year at 1,000 W — runs $702–$1,071 a year depending on your state's tariff.

Wattage basis: Canstar Blue average-draw table spans 513 W (small pool) to 1,605 W (very large); variable-speed pumps at optimal filtration run 200–500 W, old single-speed 1,800–2,500 W.

Pool pump running cost by state at typical draw (2026–27 reference tariffs)
State	Tariff c/kWh	Per hour	Typical year
New South Wales	33.1c	$0.33	$847
Victoria	27.5c	$0.27	$702
Queensland	28.0c	$0.28	$715
South Australia	41.9c	$0.42	$1,071
Western Australia	33.3c	$0.33	$850
Tasmania	28.0c	$0.28	$714
Australian Capital Territory	37.0c	$0.37	$944
Northern Territory	31.7c	$0.32	$809

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

State

Power draw (watts)

Pool pump: 300–2,500 W typical range.

Hours per day

Days per year

Filtration typically 6–8 h/day, longer in summer.

$0.33 per hour · $847/year at your settings

Per day (7 h): $2.32
Per month: $70.52
Per year (365 days): $846.66

Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: Canstar Blue — pool pump running costs. Full pool pump costs in NSW →

Cutting the cost

The pump is often the second-biggest load in the house. Run it during daylight if you have solar, or on any cheaper off-peak period, and split filtration into shorter blocks rather than running flat out all day. A variable-speed pump on a low setting cleans the same water for much less. Trim the run time through the cooler months when the pool sees little use.

Frequently asked questions

How is the running cost calculated?: Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A pool pump drawing 1,000 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.33 an hour — the calculator above lets you change every input.
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 (300–2,500 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 $0.27 in the cheapest state and $0.42 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. Filtration typically 6–8 h/day, longer in summer.

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

Appliance running-cost calculator

Cutting the cost

Frequently asked questions

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