Key points
- Induction cooktops in CHOICE’s latest test ranged from $599 to $5,549. Most need a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician, and a licensed gasfitter must cap the old gas line.
- Induction is faster and more efficient than gas, but cooking is a small part of most energy bills. The big saving comes when the cooktop is your last gas appliance and you drop the gas supply charge.
- Your pans need a magnetic base. A fridge magnet that sticks firmly is the easiest test.
- In Victoria, VEU discounts apply to induction cooktops replacing gas, with no income test.
Switching from gas to induction cooking is usually the final step in getting a home off gas, and often the one people worry about most. The good news is that induction cooks faster than gas, is easier to clean and works neatly with rooftop solar. This guide covers what the switch costs, the electrical work involved, whether your pots will work, what you’ll save, and the rebates available in Victoria and South Australia in 2026.
Why switch from gas to induction?
An induction cooktop uses a magnetic field to heat the pan directly, rather than heating the air around it. CHOICE notes it’s more energy-efficient than both gas and ceramic electric cooktops, because less heat is wasted. In practice that means:
- Speed: water boils noticeably faster than on most gas burners.
- Control: heat changes instantly, and low settings are steadier than a small gas flame.
- Safety: no open flame, and the glass stays cooler than a ceramic cooktop. Most models switch off automatically when a pan is removed.
- Indoor air: burning gas releases combustion by-products, such as nitrogen dioxide, into the kitchen. Induction doesn’t, though you still need a rangehood for cooking fumes.
- Cleaning: a flat glass surface instead of trivets and burners.
It’s one part of a bigger plan. Our home electrification guide shows how cooking fits alongside hot water, heating and EV charging when you’re going all-electric with solar.
How much does it cost to switch from gas to induction?
| Item | Typical cost (2026 market) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Induction cooktop | $599–$5,549 across the models in CHOICE’s latest test | CHOICE says you don’t have to pay top dollar for a good one |
| New dedicated circuit | Usually a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 | Depends on the distance from the switchboard and access |
| Switchboard upgrade (if needed) | Varies widely | Older boards with ceramic fuses or no spare space often need work |
| Capping the gas cooktop line | Usually a short gasfitter visit | Must be done by a licensed gasfitter |
| Benchtop cut-out changes | Often nil; sometimes a cabinetmaker | Check the cut-out size against your existing hole |
| New cookware | Nil to a few hundred dollars | Only if your pans aren’t magnetic |
These are indicative ranges, not quotes. Get an electrician to inspect your switchboard before you buy the cooktop, because the electrical work is usually the biggest variable.
Tip: Not sure you’ll like induction? A plug-in portable induction hob is an inexpensive way to try it for a few weeks before you commit.
What electrical work does an induction cooktop need?
A standard power point is rated at 10A. CHOICE notes an induction cooktop may need a 20A, 32A or even 42A connection, hard-wired by a licensed electrician on its own circuit. Your electrician will check:
- Whether your switchboard has room for a new circuit breaker and safety switch (RCD).
- Whether the main switch and supply can handle the extra load alongside existing appliances, especially if you’re also adding a heat pump, reverse-cycle air conditioning or an EV charger.
- The cable run from the switchboard to the kitchen.
Some smaller cooktops are designed to run from a 10A or 15A outlet with built-in power limiting. They’re simpler to install but can’t run every zone at full power at once. If you’re going all-electric, plan the switchboard for everything at once rather than upgrading it in stages.
Will my pots and pans work on induction?
Induction needs cookware with a ferrous (iron-containing) base. Hold a magnet to the bottom of each pan: if it sticks firmly, it’ll work.
- Works: cast iron, enamelled cast iron, carbon steel and most stainless steel with a magnetic base.
- Doesn’t work: aluminium, copper and glass, unless they have a magnetic base plate.
- Woks: round-bottomed woks don’t sit well on flat glass. Use a flat-bottomed wok, or look at cooktops with a dedicated wok zone.
Match the pan to the size of the cooking zone for best efficiency.
Is induction cheaper to run than gas?
A little, but cooking is a small slice of most household energy bills, so the running-cost difference is usually modest. The real saving comes from the fixed gas supply charge, which you pay every day whether you use gas or not.
Here’s how that works. If your gas bill shows a supply charge of $1.00 a day, that’s $365 a year just to stay connected. Once your hot water and heating are electric, the cooktop is often the only thing keeping you on gas. Swap it for induction and you can disconnect from gas and stop paying the supply charge. Check the daily charge on your own bill, as it varies by retailer and network.
Cooking with solar
Most cooking happens in the evening, after solar output has dropped. Solar still helps with weekend and lunchtime cooking, and you can shift slow cooking, baking and batch cooking into the middle of the day. A home battery covers the dinner peak. For more ideas, see ways to use more of your own solar power. A 6.6kW solar system is enough for most households’ daytime cooking and appliances.
What rebates are there for induction cooktops in 2026?
Victoria
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) offers point-of-sale discounts on induction cooktops that replace gas or older electric cooktops. There’s no income test, and the discount depends on the product and current certificate prices. It’s applied by accredited providers, so ask for it to be shown on your quote. Our guide to Victorian Energy Upgrades in 2026 covers how VEU works.
There’s no rule forcing Victorian owner-occupiers to remove a gas cooktop. The 2027 changes cover new homes, which must be all-electric from 1 January 2027, and gas hot water that reaches the end of its life from 1 March 2027. See what Victoria’s 2027 gas rules mean for your home.
South Australia
SA has no specific state rebate for induction cooktops. Retailers delivering the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) mostly offer hot water, lighting and air-conditioning upgrades, but it’s worth asking. SA also has no rule requiring homes to move off gas.
Steps to switch from gas to induction
- Measure your existing cut-out and choose a cooktop that fits (most are 60 cm or 90 cm wide).
- Get an electrician to check the switchboard and quote the new circuit.
- In Victoria, ask about a VEU discount before you sign.
- Book a licensed gasfitter to disconnect and cap the gas cooktop line.
- Have the electrician install the cooktop and provide the compliance certificate.
- If that was your last gas appliance, contact your gas retailer about disconnection.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new electrical circuit for an induction cooktop?
Usually, yes. Most full-size induction cooktops need a dedicated 20A to 42A circuit hard-wired by a licensed electrician. Some smaller models are designed for a 10A or 15A outlet with power limiting. Have your switchboard checked first, as older boards sometimes need upgrading.
Will my existing pots work on induction?
If a magnet sticks firmly to the base, it will. Cast iron, carbon steel and most magnetic stainless steel work well. Aluminium, copper and glass won’t work unless they have a magnetic base plate. Round-bottomed woks need a flat-bottomed replacement or a cooktop with a wok zone.
Is induction cheaper to run than gas?
Slightly, because more of the energy goes into the pan. But cooking is a small part of most energy bills, so the main saving comes from removing your last gas appliance and no longer paying the daily gas supply charge, which can be worth several hundred dollars a year.
Can I get a rebate for an induction cooktop?
In Victoria, yes. Victorian Energy Upgrades offers discounts on eligible induction cooktops replacing gas or older electric models, through accredited providers and with no income test. South Australia has no specific cooktop rebate, though some REPS providers may offer energy-saving upgrades.
Going all-electric? Our Adelaide and Melbourne team handles residential electrical work as well as solar and batteries, so we can look at your switchboard, solar and storage together. Get a free quote, or read our Melbourne solar guide.
Sources: CHOICE – Induction cooktops buying guide (updated 11 Dec 2025); energy.gov.au – Electrification; Essential Services Commission – Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Costs are indicative 2026 market ranges, not quotes; rebate rules change, so confirm with an accredited provider. Featured image: Stilfehler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
