The Meter
Five appliances you should turn off at the wall
Switch these five off at the wall when you are finished with them. The list comes from the Australian Government household pages.
1. The television. 2. The stereo. 3. The game console. 4. The microwave. 5. The charger for a phone, tablet or computer, once the device is charged.
The renters guide says to switch the TV, stereo and game console off at the wall when you are not using them. Home entertainment products can still draw power in other modes. The appliances page says to turn the microwave off at the wall when it is not in use. The renters guide says to unplug the phone, tablet or computer once it is charged, and to switch gadgets off at the wall. If it has a little light or a clock, it is using power.
The appliances page says standby can account for up to 3% of household energy use, and could cost up to $100 a year. The renters guide puts a similar standby share at 3% of household electricity use. "Up to" is the word on the page. It is an upper figure for standby, not a saving measured on one bill.
Leave these on: fridges, freezers, security systems, and medical equipment. That exception is on both pages. A second fridge is a separate question. The appliances page says avoid turning a second fridge on unless you need it. It does not say to switch off the fridge that is keeping food cold.
A gas cooktop or a gas heater is not on this list. This note is about electrical appliances left in standby. It does not review a gas bill.
Sources, read 29 Sep 2026:
https://www.energy.gov.au/households/appliances
https://www.energy.gov.au/households/household-guides/life-stages-advice/renters