Millions of Aussies to be slugged with higher gas bills: What you need to know

Australians have been warned their gas bills are set to increase by hundreds of dollars as prices rise next month.

Major energy companies in Victoria have announced that household gas prices are expected to increase by up to 12 percent starting August 1.

Victorian customers will face price increases of 11.8 per cent from Globird, 8.6 per cent from AGL, and 7.3 per cent from Origin.

On average, this will result in an increase of about $200 for households and $700 for small businesses this year.

The only company reducing gas bills is Alinta Energy, with a three per cent cut expected to save customers $50 on their annual bill.

Experts said the price hikes were due to gas shortfalls as well as high production and network costs.

Australian Industry Group energy director Tennant Reed told the Herald Sun that although wholesale gas prices have fallen from their peak in 2022, they are unlikely to decrease much further.

Energy minister Chris Bowen said he knew Aussies were doing it tough amid the rising cost of living and expected retailers to pass on reduced costs to customers.

But opposition energy spokesman Ted O'Brien said the government urgently needed to increase gas supplies to bring prices down.

'Federal and state Labor refuse to actively pursue policies to increase supply which, by extension, also drives down prices,' Mr O'Brien said.

'As a result of Labor's ideological hatred for gas, many Victorians are going cold this winter because they can't afford it, while others are left wondering if gas will even flow when they try and turn it on.'

More than two million people in Victoria rely on gas, making it the state with the highest gas dependency in the country. 

Victorians' gas bills are already higher than those in other states. 

Anyone having trouble paying their gas bill has been urged to contact their network provider.