<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 215,000 Australians unable to keep up with their electricity bills could see their situation deteriorate further when the country's biggest networks and providers hike prices for millions of households by up to 13.5 per cent from today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian Energy Regulator's latest report found the number of people in debt from January to March rose by seven per cent from the previous quarter and five per cent year-on-year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The average debt rose to $1415, up by $20 from the last quarter and $309 year-on-year.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/millions-of-aussies-are-about-to-get-a-boost-to-their-super-but-most-are-unaware/791b646f-f3ef-4b80-bc9f-71d5c26f6518" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Millions of Aussies unaware of boost coming to superannuation</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These households will continue to be hit as energy regulators and providers increase their prices from today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"From today, more than four million households will see their electricity prices rise, which for an average household could add more than $200 to their annual bill," Canstar Blue data insights director Sally Tindall said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The annual cost of electricity for the average household on a default plan in New South Wales, south-east Queensland and South Australia will increase by up to $228 due to changes to the default market price announced by the Australian Electricity Regulator in May.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/electricity-prices-origin-agl-energyaustralia/d2f8892b-401a-4747-859d-cf33ea905bd2" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Origin is raising market plan prices by 9.1 per cent in New South Wales, 5.5 per cent in South Australia and 3.1 per cent in south-east Queensland.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile, AGL is increasing market plan prices by a whopping 13.5 per cent in New South Wales, 7.8 per cent in South Australia and 7.5 per cent in south-east Queensland.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Origin customers in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, and AGL customers in Victoria, will see the same market plan price increases on August 1.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span></span><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tax-return-2025-when-is-the-best-time-to-lodge-refund-explained/85b8c807-ea2a-4037-ac3a-c6dfdab2d381" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>When's the best time to lodge your tax return? Experts reveal the 'sweet spot'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>EnergyAustralia will raise prices in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory on August 1 and Queensland and South Australia on September 1.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Households will, however, see some relief from the federal government's extension of its $75-a-quarter energy bill relief scheme until the end of the year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But, according to Canstar Blue, customers can save even more – between $144 and $390 a year – if they switch from an average-priced plan to the lowest plan on their network.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Electricity price hikes might feel unavoidable, however, switching providers can potentially bring real relief, especially for those who haven't switched providers in more than a year," Tindall said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our research shows that if you switch from an average-priced plan to the lowest, you could potentially save over $300, depending on where you live.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That's proper relief, in addition to the extra $150 coming down the line from the federal government."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" title="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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