New South Wales had the highest average spot price, $75.71/MWh, and Tasmania the lowest, $57.95/MWh.
Across the five regions the average was $65.22/MWh, down 15% on July 2026.
Prices went below zero for 102.8 hours in South Australia, 14% of the month, the most of any region.
The highest 5-minute price was $450.08/MWh in Tasmania on 6 August at 13:00.
The lowest was -$496.77/MWh in South Australia on 19 August at 13:30.
Spot prices by region, August 2026
| Region | Average | Lowest | Highest | Negative hours | Share of month | Intervals over $300 | Over $5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | $60.42 | -$25.015 August at 16:25 | $294.406 August at 07:20 | 85.7 | 12% | 0 | 0 |
| New South Wales | $75.71 | -$18.515 August at 16:25 | $311.916 August at 07:20 | 17.1 | 2% | 1 | 0 |
| Victoria | $60.40 | -$60.002 August at 13:35 | $406.0120 August at 09:10 | 79.8 | 11% | 6 | 0 |
| South Australia | $71.62 | -$496.7719 August at 13:30 | $375.7921 August at 18:35 | 102.8 | 14% | 8 | 0 |
| Tasmania | $57.95 | -$35.1629 August at 15:05 | $450.086 August at 13:00 | 57.3 | 8% | 5 | 0 |
FCAS, monthly average prices
| Market | QLD | NSW | VIC | SA | TAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raise regulation | $3.39 | $3.39 | $3.39 | $3.41 | $4.34 |
| Lower regulation | $1.46 | $1.46 | $1.46 | $1.45 | $2.96 |
| Raise 1 second | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.06 | $0.02 |
| Raise 6 second | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.11 | $0.35 |
| Raise 60 second | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.28 | $0.28 |
| Raise 5 minute | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.03 | $0.04 |
| Lower 1 second | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.03 | $0.00 |
| Lower 6 second | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.02 | $0.59 |
| Lower 60 second | $0.06 | $0.06 | $0.06 | $0.06 | $0.08 |
| Lower 5 minute | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 |
Download the figures behind this report: spot prices and negative hours (CSV), FCAS averages (CSV). What this month would have meant for a battery: the BESS revenue calculator.
Data: Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), NEMWeb dispatch reports, used under AEMO's Copyright Permissions. Processed by ElectraGlobe. Prices are 5-minute dispatch prices in NEM time and may be revised. Informational only. Not for trading or financial decisions.