How we work it out
Almost all of a dishwasher's energy goes into heating water, so the program you press matters more than the machine you own. The eco figure here is the median of about 1,200 current machines in the energyrating.gov.au registration database, July 2026 snapshot, at 0.67 kWh per labelled cycle. The other programs shown here are scaled estimates from the eco figure: about 1.5x for a normal wash, 1.9x for an intensive cycle, and 1.3x for a fast 60-minute run, reflecting how much longer or hotter each program typically runs than the labelled test. The times-by-your-rate maths does the rest.
Worked example: the normal program five nights a week in Queensland: 1.0 kWh × 31.2¢ × 5 = about $1.56 a week, or $81 a year. Punch the eco button instead and the year drops to about $55.
The hand washing question
A full dishwasher beats hand washing for both water and energy, which surprises people every time. Sydney Water's own water-saving guide puts sink washing at roughly 30 to 60 litres of hot water for a full load against about 10 to 12 for a modern dishwasher, and heating that water is where most of the cost lands. The machine only loses when it runs half empty, so the one rule that matters is: full loads, eco program, and scrape instead of rinsing.
Common questions
Does the eco program really save money?
Yes. It heats the water less and makes up for it with time, cutting energy use by roughly a quarter against the normal program. The dishes come out just as clean, it just takes a few hours to get there.
Is a dishwasher cheaper than washing by hand?
For full loads, almost always. Hand washing uses far more hot water, and hot water is the real cost. A half-empty machine flips the answer, so wait until it's full.
Should I rinse dishes before they go in?
No, scrape them instead. Rinsing under a hot tap can use more hot water than the machine's whole cycle, and modern detergents are designed to grab onto food residue.
What this costs, state by state
Five labelled eco cycles a week.
| State | Rate | Per week | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 32.4¢ | $1.09 | $56.70 |
| Victoria | 29.8¢ | $1.00 | $52.15 |
| Queensland | 31.2¢ | $1.05 | $54.60 |
| South Australia | 38.1¢ | $1.28 | $66.67 |
| Western Australia | 33.6¢ | $1.13 | $58.80 |
| Tasmania | 28.9¢ | 97¢ | $50.58 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 27.4¢ | 92¢ | $47.95 |
| Northern Territory | 31.7¢ | $1.06 | $55.48 |
Reference rates for 2026–27. Your row is highlighted once you set your location.
Sources
Electricity rates: AER Default Market Offer (NSW, SA, south-east QLD), Victorian Default Offer, and each remaining state's regulated tariff, current for 2026–27. Appliance figures: the energyrating.gov.au registration database (July 2026 snapshot). Methods and assumptions are described on each page.