How is the running cost calculated?

Watts ÷ 1,000 × the electricity rate gives cost per hour; the yearly figure uses 4 loads a week at 0.7 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 $0.19–$0.29 depending on the state.

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

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

At typical draw · official state tariffs

$0.19–$0.29 per hour at 700 W

Typical household use — 4 loads a week at 0.7 kWh per load — runs $40–$61 a year depending on your state's tariff.

Wattage basis: Running draw 400–1,400 W; cold-wash energy ~0.3–0.7 kWh/cycle, warm wash roughly doubles it.

Washing machine running cost by state at typical draw (2026–27 reference tariffs)
State	Tariff c/kWh	Per hour	Typical year
New South Wales	33.1c	$0.23	$48
Victoria	27.5c	$0.19	$40
Queensland	28.0c	$0.20	$41
South Australia	41.9c	$0.29	$61
Western Australia	33.3c	$0.23	$48
Tasmania	28.0c	$0.20	$41
Australian Capital Territory	37.0c	$0.26	$54
Northern Territory	31.7c	$0.22	$46

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

State

Power draw (watts)

Washing machine: 400–1,400 W typical range.

Hours per day

Days per year

A cycle runs 1–2 h; 3–5 loads a week is typical. A warm/hot wash uses 1.0–2.0 kWh because water heating dominates.

$0.23 per hour · $339/year at your settings

Per day (4 h): $0.93
Per month: $28.21
Per year (365 days): $338.66

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

Cutting the cost

Most of a wash's energy goes into heating water, so choose a cold or cool cycle for everyday loads; modern detergents cope fine. Run full loads rather than half-empty ones, use the eco setting, and let a high spin speed wring out more water so the dryer has less to do. Front-loaders generally use less water and power than top-loaders for the same wash.

Frequently asked questions

How is the running cost calculated?: Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A washing machine drawing 700 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.23 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 (400–1,400 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 $0.19 in the cheapest state and $0.29 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. A cycle runs 1–2 h; 3–5 loads a week is typical. A warm/hot wash uses 1.0–2.0 kWh because water heating dominates.

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

Appliance running-cost calculator

Cutting the cost

Frequently asked questions

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