Walk into almost any new kitchen in Australia today and there's a good chance you'll see a sleek black glass surface instead of gas burners. An induction cooktop heats your pan directly using magnetic energy, so it's fast, easy to clean and uses far less energy than gas. It's also one of the most popular steps for households moving away from gas.
But is it worth the switch for your home? This guide explains how induction cooking works, what it costs to buy and install in 2026, how running costs compare with gas, which pans you can use and the rebates that may help.
What is an induction cooktop?
An induction cooktop has copper coils under a smooth glass-ceramic surface. When you turn a zone on and place a suitable pan on top, the coil creates a magnetic field that makes the base of the pan itself heat up. The cooktop surface doesn't create the heat. The pan does.
That's very different from the other two common types:
- Gas cooktops burn gas to make a flame, and a lot of that heat escapes around the sides of the pan.
- Ceramic electric cooktops heat an element under the glass, which then heats the pan. They're slower to heat up and cool down.
Because induction heats the pan directly, very little energy is wasted, and the glass around the pan stays much cooler than with other cooktops.
Induction cooktop vs gas: how they compare
| Induction | Gas | Ceramic electric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy efficiency | About 85 to 90% | About 32 to 40% | About 65 to 75% |
| Heat-up speed | Very fast | Fast | Slower |
| Heat control | Instant and precise | Instant | Slow to respond |
| Cleaning | Very easy, flat glass | Harder, grates and burners | Easy, but spills can burn on |
| Open flame | No | Yes | No |
| Special cookware needed | Yes, magnetic pans | No | No |
Many keen cooks who switch say the biggest surprise is the speed. A pot of water can come to the boil noticeably faster than on gas, and turning the heat down is instant, just like gas.
How much does an induction cooktop cost in Australia?
The cooktop itself
| Type | Typical price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Portable single-zone induction | From around $50 to a few hundred dollars |
| Budget built-in induction cooktop | Around $600 to $1,500 |
| Mid-range built-in | Around $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Premium and large or flexible-zone models | $2,500 and up, with some over $5,000 |
Installation costs
Most built-in induction cooktops must be hard-wired by a licensed electrician. What you pay depends on your home's current setup:
- Swapping an old electric cooktop with suitable wiring can be fairly simple and cheap.
- A new dedicated circuit and safety switch, often needed when replacing gas, commonly costs around $600 to $1,200.
- A switchboard or mains upgrade, if your home's supply can't handle the load, can cost several thousand dollars.
- Gas disconnection by a licensed gasfitter often costs around $250 to $500.
- Benchtop changes may be needed if the new cooktop is a different size from the old cutout.
All up, a full switch from gas to induction often lands somewhere between about $2,000 and $8,000 depending on the cooktop, electrical work and any kitchen changes.
Tip: Some induction cooktops are designed to run on a lower current (often around 20 to 25 amps). These can sometimes avoid a costly electrical upgrade, although they may limit how many zones run at full power at once. Ask your electrician which option suits your home before you buy.
Running costs: induction vs gas
Cooking isn't the biggest energy user in most homes, so the yearly savings from the cooktop alone are modest. Estimates vary, but for an average household:
- Induction cooking often costs somewhere around $50 to $250 a year, depending on how much you cook and your electricity rate.
- Switching from gas to induction alone may save roughly $15 to $150 a year on cooking.
The bigger savings come when you remove gas from the home entirely. Once the cooktop, heating and hot water are all electric, you can disconnect the gas and stop paying the daily gas supply charge, which can be worth several hundred dollars a year on its own. Our gas vs electric hot water guide and heat pump guide cover the other parts of going all-electric.
If you have rooftop solar, cooking lunch or prepping dinner earlier in the day can use your own cheap solar power, which makes induction even cheaper to run.
Which pans work on an induction cooktop?
Induction only works with pans that have a magnetic base. The easy test: hold a fridge magnet to the bottom of the pan. If it sticks firmly, it'll work.
| Usually works | Usually doesn't work |
|---|---|
| Cast iron | Plain aluminium |
| Enamelled cast iron | Copper (unless it has a magnetic base) |
| Most stainless steel with a magnetic base | Glass and ceramic |
| Carbon steel and many woks with flat bases | Round-bottom woks |
| Pans labelled "induction compatible" | Some older or thin non-stick pans |
Heavy, flat-based pans work best because they sit flat on the glass and heat evenly. If you love cooking with a traditional round wok, look at cooktops with a wok zone or a special induction wok.
Pros and cons of induction cooking
Pros
- Very energy efficient, with little wasted heat
- Fast heating and precise temperature control
- Flat glass surface that wipes clean easily
- No open flame, and the surface around the pan stays cooler
- Many models switch off automatically if a pan is removed or a spill is detected
- No burning of gas inside the kitchen, which helps keep indoor air cleaner
- Can run on your own solar power
Cons
- Needs magnetic cookware, so some pans may need replacing
- May need electrical work, which can add to the cost
- Glass surface can scratch if pans are dragged
- Some models make a light humming or fan noise
- Doesn't work during a power outage (unless you have battery backup)
Rebates for induction cooktops
Support depends on your state and changes often:
- Victoria: The Victorian Energy Upgrades program offers discounts on approved induction cooktops when replacing gas.
- NSW: Energy savings programs and some local councils have offered discounts or support for electric upgrades.
- South Australia: The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme supports some household efficiency upgrades.
- ACT: Low-interest loans have been available for efficient electric appliances.
Many schemes need you to use an approved provider or get the discount before installation, so check the rules first on your state government's energy website.
Tips for buying an induction cooktop
- Check your power supply first. Ask a licensed electrician what your home can handle before choosing a model.
- Measure your benchtop cutout so the new cooktop fits without expensive changes.
- Choose the right size. 60cm suits most kitchens, while 80 to 90cm models give more room for big pots.
- Look for useful features such as a boost function, flexible zones, a timer and a child lock.
- Test your pans with a magnet and budget for any replacements.
- Try before you buy. A cheap portable induction cooktop is an easy way to see if you like cooking this way.
For more ways to save around the house, read our guide on how to lower your power bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is an induction cooktop cheaper to run than gas?
Usually, yes, though the savings from cooking alone are modest, often under $150 a year. The bigger savings come when you go fully electric and disconnect gas, which removes the gas supply charge.
Do I need an electrician to install an induction cooktop?
Yes. Most built-in induction cooktops must be hard-wired by a licensed electrician. Some homes also need a new circuit or a switchboard upgrade.
How do I know if my pans work on induction?
Hold a fridge magnet to the base of the pan. If it sticks firmly, the pan will work on an induction cooktop. Plain aluminium, copper, glass and ceramic pans usually won't.
Is induction cooking safe?
Induction cooktops are widely used and considered safe for everyday cooking. There's no open flame, the glass around the pan stays cooler, and many models have auto shut-off and child locks.
The bottom line
An induction cooktop is fast, precise, easy to clean and far more efficient than gas. On its own, it won't slash your bills, but it's a key step if you want to go all-electric and drop the gas supply charge for good.
Check your home's power supply, test your pans, look for any state discounts and get a quote from a licensed electrician before you buy. Done right, it's an upgrade most households never regret.
Prices, running costs and rebate details are general estimates as of October 2026 and vary by product, home and location. Electrical and gas work must be done by licensed tradespeople. See our disclaimer for more.
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