Our new report, Consumer perspectives on Australia’s energy transition, offers an overview of consumer perspectives on Australia’s energy transition, marking the first release from our recent Consumer Energy Report Card survey.
While households are broadly supportive of the transition to renewable energy, many remain unclear about what it means for them. This highlights the need for a clear, aligned narrative on what the energy transition means for households, especially since the transition’s success will depend on their participation.
Key Insights
Of the more than 4,000 households across Australia we surveyed about the transition to renewable energy, we found:
- Almost two-thirds (61%) of Australians believe the transition to renewables will be good for Australia overall
- 1 in 5 (20%) agree that ‘how the energy transition will affect households like theirs’ has been clearly explained to them
- Most householders believe the energy transition will be good for the environment and their local community, but just 1 in 4 (26%) feel confident that the country has a well-planned approach to managing it
Research Methodology
The Consumer Energy Report Card research is conducted by SEC Newgate for Energy Consumers Australia.
Fieldwork dates
27th September – 23rd October 2024
Online survey
Participants sourced from a professional ISO-accredited online market research panel.
Representative sample
n = 4,152 energy decision makers across Australia
The large total sample size of 4,152 is associated with an overall margin of error of +/- 1.5% at a 95% confidence interval. It provides a robust sample size for each Australian state and territory, as well as for other key consumer segments.
The target of the survey was Australian adults who are responsible for pay energy bills and/or choosing energy products and services for their household.
Data was weighted according to 2021 Census population statistics on age, gender, area and highest level of education. It was adjusted to take into account that energy decision makers have a slightly different age and gender profile than that of the broader population.
The sample included a boost of 100 extra participants who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander for a total of n=225 for this consumer segment.
| Total sample (n) | 4,152 |
| Gender | |
| Male | 1,998 |
| Female | 2,136 |
| Another gender | 18 |
| Age | |
| 18-24 | 456 |
| 25-34 | 854 |
| 35-49 | 1,159 |
| 50-64 | 957 |
| 65+ | 726 |
| Area | |
| Metro | 2,399 |
| Regional | 1,753 |
| NSW | 834 |
| ACT | 207 |
| VIC | 824 |
| QLD | 730 |
| SA | 620 |
| WA | 625 |
| TAS | 207 |
| NT | 105 |
| Financial status | |
| Doing well / okay | 2,726 |
| Having difficulty | 1,426 |
| Housing type | |
| Freestanding house | 2,844 |
| Other (e.g. apartment, terrace, retirement home, mobile home) | 1,308 |
| Home ownership | |
| Renting | 1,388 |
| Own/Mortgage | 2,697 |
| Other | 67 |
| Rooftop solar | |
| Yes | 1,394 |
| No | 2,758 |
| ATSI and CALD | |
| Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander | 225 |
| Speak a language other than English at home | 637 |
Our Consumer Energy Report Card is a comprehensive, independent research project, which reveals the attitudes and behaviours of thousands of Australian households and small businesses. Future reports in the series will provide in-depth analyses of key topics. Access all reports and related data here.
Looking for our Energy Consumer Sentiment and Behaviour Surveys? You can find prior reports and data up until June 2024 here.