The national smart meter rollout
The way we use energy is changing. Older electricity meters weren’t designed to work with new technology, like solar panels and batteries. Older meters also require manual meter reads every few months.
In the past we upgraded from analogue to digital TVs, and from landlines to smart phones. Now it’s time to upgrade our electricity meters to new, smart meters.
The aim is for everyone in Australia to have a smart meter by 2030. It’s a simple swap, and there’s no upfront cost to you.
What is a smart meter
Smart meters are the current technology for recording your electricity use in your home or business. They record your electricity use throughout the day and send your readings to your electricity retailer.
Many homes and small businesses already have a smart meter. If you have solar panels or your home was built after 2017, you most likely have one already.
Our old electricity meters weren't designed to work with new technology and required manual meter readings every few months, which for some meant corrected bills.
Smart meters are the current technology. They record your electricity use throughout the day and send readings to your electricity company, meaning no more manual meter reads.
They're also an important step towards getting new technology, giving you more options to manage costs. So you're all set.
Find out more about the smart meter rollout below.
How the upgrade process works
For most people it’s a simple swap and there’s nothing you need to do.
Your electricity retailer (the company that sends you your bills) will contact you when it’s time to install the smart meter. They’ll arrange the installation, let you know what to expect and send someone to your property to install the new meter. The whole process normally takes about an hour.
There's a national rollout of smart meters underway until 2030.
When it's your turn, whether you're a homeowner or a renter, your electricity company will get in touch with you to arrange the installation. You'll get this notice at least a week before. For most people, it's a simple swap and there's nothing you need to do.
When the installer arrives, you can ask for photo ID. They'll never request any personal details or payments. They'll need to turn your electricity off briefly. This shouldn't take longer than an hour.
And if your meter box is easy and safe for the installer to access, you don't need to be home. They can do the job without you there.
If they find a problem that needs fixing first, they'll notify your electricity company who will get back in touch soon about your options and next steps.
If you share a connection with your neighbour, like in an apartment building, smart meters should be installed in groups to make things easier.
Remember, there's no upfront cost to you when the meter is installed under the national rollout. You're all set.
Find out more about the smart meter rollout below.
Frequently asked questions
About the smart meters and the rollout
Many people across NSW already have a smart meter.
If you have a smart meter, you’ll see a small box with a digital screen mounted on the outside of your property. If you have an older meter, this will look different, and you’ll see a spinning dial to record your electricity usage.
If you’re still not sure, you can also contact your electricity retailer and ask.
Yes. If you rent and the electricity account is in your name, your electricity retailer will contact you, not the homeowner, to arrange the installation.
Yes. To make it easier, apartments or townhouse with multiple meters should all get smart meters installed at the same time. Your electricity retailer will contact you when it’s time to install the smart meters and let you know what to expect.
No. If you live in an embedded network (such as a caravan park or retirement village), replacement meters don’t have to be smart meters. If you’d like to upgrade to a smart meter, you can ask your electricity retailer about your options, including whether any costs apply.
No. The national rollout only includes electricity meters. Your existing gas and water meters will keep working the same way and will continue to be read manually by a meter reader if needed.
Your electricity retailer will send you a letter, text or email at least four business days before the installation. This should specify a window of five business days when the work will be done. If you have time specific requirements, talk to your energy retailer about scheduling your installation.
About my energy plan and costs
No. There’s no upfront cost to you where the smart meter is installed as part of the national rollout. This means your electricity company cannot ask you to pay any extra fees or charges for the smart meter at the time it’s installed.
No. Getting a smart meter won’t automatically change how you’re charged for electricity.
Your electricity retailer can’t change your retail tariff structure without your consent for 2 years after the smart meter is installed, between 2025 and 2030.
This means you cannot be changed from an electricity plan with a flat rate tariff to a time-of-use tariff. Find out more about the different types of tariffs and how the charges work.
After 2 years, your electricity retailer can move you to new plan, but they must give you notice and show you how the new plan compares to your current one, including your past bills. Visit energymadeeasy.gov.au to find the best electricity plans for you.
No, if a smart meter was installed at your property before 1 December 2025, your electricity retailer isn’t required to get your consent to move you to an electricity plan with a different tariff.
Smart meters record your electricity use throughout the day.
This means you may be able to switch to a new energy plan where you pay different prices for electricity at different times of the day. These might be called time-of-use, controlled load or demand tariff plans.
If you're on this type of plan, you can save money by using electricity when it costs less. Find out more about the different type of tariffs and how the charges work.
After your smart meter is installed, your electricity bill may sometimes include very short time periods where your electricity use is estimated. This could happen if there is a temporary communications issue (such as a signal issue) between the smart meter and your electricity retailer.
This isn’t the same type of estimated bill you used to get before you had a smart meter. You won’t get a corrected bill later and have to pay a different amount.
If you have any questions about your bill, contact your electricity retailer.
About health, safety and privacy
Yes, your energy data and personal information are protected by law. There are strict rules to stop anyone from accessing your data or information without your permission. Currently, only registered energy companies, like your electricity retailer or meter provider, are allowed to access your meter data.
Yes. The smart meters being installed as part of the national rollout use mobile phone networks to send meter readings. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) mandates that they meet strict health and safety standards, which are set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
About opting out and remote functions
Yes. Customers can’t opt-out of a new meter under the rules for the national rollout. If you prefer, you can ask your electricity retailer to install a smart meter with its remote communications turned off.
If you ask for your remote communications to be turned off, your meter will need to be read manually by a meter reader. This may mean your bills are sometimes based on estimates and will need to be corrected later. Your electricity retailer may also include a fee for manual meter reads. Turning it off could limit the types of electricity plans you can choose.
You can request this change either before or after installation. If you decide to do it after installation there may be a fee. Contact your energy retailer for more information.
Who to contact for support
Contact your electricity retailer if you have questions about your smart meter, installation, or bill. Their contact details are on your electricity bill and in the notice they’ll send before installation.