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What is a smart meter?
Smart meters are electricity meters that use digital technology to provide you with a whole range of benefits. They’re a modern upgrade to old meters that give access to clear, detailed information about how and when you use electricity.
Smart meters record electricity usage in 5-to-30-minute intervals. Unlike old electricity meters, smart meters automatically send data to your electricity retailer, removing the need for manual reads of your meter.
This means you can access more meaningful insights into your energy use, both in My Account and on the EnergyAustralia app.
Benefits of smart meters
Smart meters provide:
- Information that can help you manage your usage of solar systems, or battery storage systems, more effectively
- Access to remote services such as meter readings and supply connections and disconnections, removing the need for onsite visits
- Usage information on your electricity accounts through portals such as My Account or the EnergyAustralia app
- Eligible small business customers can access additional billing options, including monthly
billing
In most cases, smart meters also remove the need for estimated bills.
Important regulatory changes from 2025
From December 2025, all homes and small businesses across NSW, QLD, SA, ACT and remaining VIC customers will be part of a national upgrade rollout of smart meters, which aims to provide upgrade to all electricity meters by 2030. This means customers are no longer able to opt-out to having a smart meter, as all older meters will eventually be upgraded. For more information on the mandated smart meter rollout, visit the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) website, or see AEMC finalises landmark reform to accelerate smart meter rollout | AEMC.
What happens during a smart meter upgrade?
Getting ready for your smart meter installation
Finding your meter
Each property is a little different, so the location of your meter may vary. Below are some common areas you may find your electricity meter:
Free standing house
Outside
- Attached to an external wall
- At the front or rear of the property
Inside
- In the garage or laundry
- Hallway
- In a cupboard
Apartment complex or flats
- Carpark
- Basement
- Allocated meter room
Every premises has a unique meter identification number, referred to as a National Meter Identifier (or NMI). You can find your NMI number on the first page of your bill. For more information, see our Bill Explainer Guide.
Who will be installing my meter?
If you’re in NSW, QLD, ACT or SA, the metering coordinator we appoint will let you know about the upgrade via email or post. They will also provide details on the scheduled time and date for the installation, as well as any changes in retail tariffs once the new meter is installed.
If you’re in VIC, your electricity distributor is responsible for installing your meter.
They will coordinate a convenient time with you to ensure minimal disruption, as the power will need to be temporarily turned off during the installation.
Preparing for your installation
To prepare for your installation, please make sure there is clear and safe access to your electricity meter and switchboard. If there are locked gates, unrestrained pets, safety concerns or the meter is indoors, an adult will need to be present at the scheduled appointment.
As a precaution, you may want to unplug sensitive electrical equipment such as computers or media players.
What if I have life support registered on the property?
An adult must be present at the property during the installation so that any life support equipment can be safely tested. You’ll be contacted to arrange a suitable appointment, and we’ll provide you with sufficient notice so you can make any alterations if necessary.
Having a smart meter installed won’t impact your life support registration during the installation.
If you, or anyone at your home or business premises, depends on life support equipment and you haven’t registered for life support at your premises, please contact us as soon as possible.
During installation day
How to recognise the technician
If you're in NSW, QLD, SA or ACT your meter will be installed by an authorised technician from the metering coordinator we appoint.
If you’re in VIC, your electricity distributor is responsible for installing your meter. They will arrive at the scheduled time and carry a clearly visible identification badge. For your safety and peace of mind, you can ask to see their ID at any time during the visit.
What happens during a meter installation?
The technician may need to turn off your electricity supply for 30 to 60 minutes. Sometimes, additional work may be required to complete the installation, but your technician will let you know if this is the case.
The technician will remove the current meter and replace it with a new one. The new meter will then be tested and your power will be turned back on, and the old meter taken away.
Do I need to be present during the installation?
If you have life support equipment on the premises or there isn’t clear and safe access to your meter, you’ll need to be present. Otherwise, you don’t have to be at the property during the installation.
Delayed or rescheduled installations
Sometimes, we may not be able to complete your installation as planned. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including being unable to access your meter or switchboard, or if the weather conditions make it unsafe. There might also be other safety concerns that prevent the work from going ahead.
In any case, we’ll contact you to arrange a new time and appointment, and ensure the problem has been resolved, at the earliest opportunity.
After your smart meter is installed
How will I know my meter has been replaced?
You may receive confirmation letters or emails from us. You can also check your usage through My Account or the EnergyAustralia app to see that the new meter is active.
What does a smart meter look like?
There are a number of different types and models, but most smart meters are a similar size to the old electricity meters, but with digital displays and no dial.
Checking your usage
You can view your electricity usage using My Account or the EnergyAustralia app. Please note that it may take up to 10 business days after your installation for any usage data to appear.
The technician left a card saying they were unable to install my smart meter. What does this mean and what should I do?
If the technician couldn’t complete your smart meter installation, they may have discovered an issue at your property, often called a site defect.
A site defect can mean anything from finding asbestos or electrical wiring problems, to the technician not being able to safely access your meter.
The technician will leave a card explaining the site defect, why the installation couldn’t be completed, and who is responsible for fixing it. We’ll follow up with you to discuss the issue and arrange another appointment once it’s resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
In standard smart meter installations, there is no installation charge. In some cases, the installation of a new smart meter may trigger additional costs, either from your retailer (us), distributor or third parties (such as your electrician or tradesperson).
Such cases may include:
- Access to the meter is blocked by obstacles, locks or safety hazards that you cannot resolve without incurring costs
- The condition of your wiring or meter box requires work to be completed before a safe and compliant installation can occur
- The electrical demand at the property requires special metering equipment
- Mobile telecommunications signals that are otherwise available at your property don’t reach the metering room or location without extra cabling and/or antennas
In these cases, we’ll contact you before completing any work.
While installing a smart meter may result in a change to your network tariff, your EnergyAustralia retail plan and rates will remain the same. This upgrade may affect future eligibility for new energy plans and their electricity rates. Visit our Tariff page to find out more information about network tariffs and retail plans.
Smart meters provide more detailed usage information, which can help you manage your electricity and make informed decisions about switching plans or adjusting your energy use.
You can review your options anytime through My Account or by contacting us.
Timeframes for installations depend on whether you’re getting a new meter installed, or having an existing meter upgraded. They are also based on the location of your premises. For a full breakdown, please visit our timeframes page.
No, we don’t need permission from your landlord to install a new smart meter.
No, you do not own your smart meter. In most cases, smart meters are owned and maintained by the appointed metering coordinator or metering provider, rather than the electricity distributor.
Smart meter data is secure and confidential. By law, it can only be accessed by:
- You (the customer)
- Your energy retailer
- Authorised bodies, distribution networks, or third-party service providers with your consent
All personal information is handled according to our Privacy Policy.
All smart meters installed comply with the electromagnetic exposure limits established by Australian safety authorities. Smart meters have similar frequencies to those found in mobile and cordless phones, Wi-Fi routers and baby monitors.
For more information visit the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency’s website.
Need more information?
You can get more information about the national smart meter rollout on the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) website.
Each state government also has information available on smart meters:
We’re here to help
If you need to get in touch, or have more questions about smart meters, you can contact us.