How to Read an Energy Star Rating in Australia

Every new appliance sold in Australia comes with an Energy Rating Label. This label is designed to help you understand how energy-efficient an appliance is and roughly how much it will cost to run. Here's how to read it correctly.

What Is the Energy Rating Label?

The Australian Energy Rating Label is a government-mandated label on appliances including fridges, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and air conditioners. It was updated in 2020 with a new, clearer format.

The label shows:

• Star rating: More stars = more energy efficient (1 to 10 stars; stars may be red and/or blue)
• Annual energy consumption (kWh): The estimated energy the appliance will use per year under standard conditions
• Product details: Brand, model, capacity, and the testing standard used
• Super efficiency stars: Some appliances have additional red stars above the main scale to indicate exceptionally high efficiency

What the Stars Mean

The star scale is relative to other appliances of the same type and similar capacity. A 5-star fridge is more efficient than a 3-star fridge of the same size. The comparison is fair only within the same appliance category and similar capacity.

More importantly: a 5-star appliance in an older rating period may not be as efficient as a 5-star appliance today, because standards improve over time. This is why the 2020 update added more stars and adjusted the scale.

How to Calculate Annual Running Cost

The label shows annual kWh consumption. To calculate running cost:

Annual cost = kWh × electricity rate

In Sydney, electricity rates are approximately $0.25–$0.35 per kWh depending on your retailer and tariff. Using $0.30:

• A fridge using 400 kWh/year costs approximately $120/year to run
• A fridge using 250 kWh/year costs approximately $75/year to run

Over 10 years, that $45/year difference = $450 saved. This is worth factoring into your purchase decision.

Comparing Appliances Using the Label

Always compare appliances of the same type AND similar capacity. A 400L fridge will naturally use more energy than a 200L fridge, even if both have similar star ratings. The star rating tells you efficiency relative to comparable models, not absolute energy use.

Energy Efficiency by Appliance Type

Fridges

Look for 4+ stars and annual consumption under 350 kWh for a standard 400–500L fridge. Frost-free models use slightly more energy than manual-defrost models. French door and side-by-side fridges tend to use more energy than top-mount models at the same capacity.

Washing Machines

Front loaders are significantly more energy and water efficient than top loaders — often by 50% or more. A 4-star front loader washing machine uses around 200–300 kWh/year.

Dryers

Dryers are energy-intensive by nature. Heat pump dryers are 50–70% more efficient than condenser dryers, which are more efficient than vented dryers. If running costs matter, choose a heat pump dryer.

Dishwashers

Modern dishwashers are highly efficient. A 4–5 star model running once a day uses around 200–250 kWh/year and 10–12 litres per cycle — less than washing by hand.

Second-Hand Appliances and Energy Labels

Older appliances don't have the new-format label, but many still perform well. At Oceania Appliances, we can tell you the approximate age of any appliance we stock, helping you estimate whether the energy efficiency aligns with your needs.

Browse our appliance range online or call 0481 243 211. Free delivery across Sydney, 3–6 month warranty on every appliance. Showroom: 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park — open 7 days, 10am to 8pm.