Which regular bill has quietly climbed?

A larger direct debit can come from a price rise, higher usage, a missed discount, a changed policy or a longer billing period. The total alone does not tell you which one happened.

The June CPI showed annual housing inflation of 6.8%, communication inflation of 2.2%, and insurance and financial-services inflation of 3.2%. Your own bill can move by a very different amount.

Choose three bills to compare

Start with bills that repeat and are large enough to matter, such as electricity, gas, phone, internet, insurance or a subscription bundle.

1. Find the latest statement and the closest like-for-like statement from 12 months earlier.
2. Check that the service, cover and billing period are comparable.
3. Record the fixed charge, usage rate, usage amount, discounts and total.
4. Calculate the dollar and percentage change.

Separate price from usage

For energy, compare kilowatt hours or megajoules as well as the unit rate and daily supply charge. For phone and internet, check the plan speed, data and inclusions. For insurance, compare the excess, insured value and optional cover.

If the total rose but usage also rose, the bill does not prove the price increased by the same percentage. Keep both numbers.

What can you do with the result?

• Ask the current provider whether a cheaper plan or discount is available.
• Compare alternatives using the same usage and cover.
• Remove add-ons or subscriptions you no longer use.
• Set a reminder before a discount, contract or policy period ends.

Where a bill is already difficult to pay, contact the provider and ask about an extension, instalments, rebates or hardship support. Do not wait for disconnection or collection activity.

Sources and limits

National price context is from the ABS June 2026 CPI, checked on 17 August 2026. The statement comparison is a personal review method. It does not estimate the average bill increase. See Moneysmart guidance for problems paying bills.

This article provides general information only. It is not financial advice and does not take your circumstances into account.