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Smart Meters
Everything you need to know about your electricity meter.
Your electricity meter measures how much energy you use so we can bill you accurately. Whether you’re moving house, upgrading your supply, or learning more about smart meters, we’ll explain what you need to know.
As part of Australia’s Accelerated Smart Meter Deployment, many customers will have their existing meters upgraded to smart meters over the coming years. Smart meters make it easier to manage your electricity, with faster connections, accurate readings, and access to near real-time usage information.
You can read more about Australia’s Accelerated Smart Meter Deployment at the Australian Energy Regulator’s website.
About Your Meter
What your meter does
Your meter records the amount of electricity supplied to your property. The information from your meter is used to calculate your energy usage and your bills.
Types of meters
- Basic meters: Record energy usage as you go and are read manually every few months.
- Interval meters: Record energy usage in intervals (usually every 30 minutes) but still require manual reads.
- Smart meters: Record energy usage every 30 minutes and send readings automatically to your retailer through secure communication networks.
What is a smart meter
A smart meter is a digital meter that can record and send your electricity usage data remotely. It provides more accurate and timely information about your energy use and helps you access time-based tariffs that can save money if you shift usage to off-peak times. All smart meters have digital displays, and you can access the time, date, kWh used, kWh delivered to the grid and more.
Benefits of smart meters
More accurate billing.
- Access to your smart meter data.
- Faster connection and disconnection times
- Quicker outage detection and resolution
- Support for solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles
- Remote meter reads, which means no need for physical meter reads.
- More visibility on when and how you use your power.
Smart Meter Rollout
The smart meter upgrade program
Across Australia, electricity retailers are upgrading meters to smart meters as part of the Accelerated Smart Meter Deployment program. By 2030, most small customers will have a smart meter.
What this means for you
If your property is scheduled for a meter upgrade, we’ll contact you in advance. You’ll receive details about:
- When your meter will be replaced.
- What will happen on the day.
- Who will complete the work (usually a licensed metering technician from one of our service providers).
- Any expected power interruptions (typically less than an hour).
Moving Home and Meter Exchanges
Reconnections
If you’re moving move or reconnecting power, we’ll arrange this with your local electricity network distributor.
You can request:
A reconnection when moving into an existing property
- A meter upgrade or exchange (for example, when adding solar or switching to a smart meter)
How it works
- Submit your request then contact us to arrange a reconnection or upgrade.
- We liaise with your network, and they’ll schedule a technician to complete the work.
- You’re notified of timing, we’ll let you know when to expect the technician.
- Power is restored or upgraded and once work is done, you’ll receive confirmation.
Timeframes
Timeframes depend on your location and network, but most exchanges or reconnections are completed within 15 business days after we receive all required information.
Costs
There’s no charge for a standard meter exchange as part of the smart meter rollout. In some cases, additional work may be needed to ensure the upgrade can be safely completed. If that happens, we’ll let you know and won’t proceed with the exchange until you’re informed. Other work (like relocations) may involve a network or metering fee. We’ll confirm any costs before proceeding.
What if there’s an issue or defect at my property?
Sometimes when we prepare to install a smart meter, the field technician may find a site defect, for example, damaged wiring, missing panels, asbestos or other electrical safety concerns.
If that happens, we’ll contact you to explain what needs to be fixed before the meter can be safely replaced. You’ll receive clear information about what the issue is and the next steps for arranging remediation work through a licensed electrician.
Once the site has been made safe, we’ll rebook the installation at a time that suits you.
Meter Reads and Data
How your meter is read
If you have a smart meter, your readings are sent to us automatically, usually every 30 minutes. You no longer need a technician to visit your property.
If you still have a basic meter, a meter reader will visit your property every few months to record your usage manually.
Self-reads
If you receive an estimated bill and believe it’s incorrect, you can submit your own meter read. This ensures your next bill reflects your actual usage.
Understanding your data
Smart meters record your energy use in half-hourly intervals, which helps you:
- Track your usage habits
- See when you use the most power
- Find ways to reduce energy costs
You can request a copy of your meter data from us at any time.
Tariffs and Usage
How your meter type affects your plan
Your meter type determines which tariffs are available.
- Flat rate: You pay the same rate for all electricity used, at all hours of the day.
- Time-of-use: Prices vary depending on the time of day and is usually cheaper during off-peak hours.
- Controlled load: Applies to appliances like hot water systems that operate at set times.
- Demand tariffs: A demand tariff includes a charge for using electricity at the busiest times, which typically start between mid-and late afternoon and end mid-evening (peak periods).
If your meter is upgraded to a smart meter, your tariff may change. We’ll notify you and explain what the change means. Improve this explanation.
Making the most of your tariff
You can often save money by shifting some energy use to off-peak periods. For example, running the washing machine or dishwasher later at night or early in the morning.
Troubleshooting and Meter Issues
No power or faulty meter:
Check your circuit breakers and contact your local distributor to report an outage or fault. You can find their number on your bill.
Damaged meter:
If you notice a damaged meter or exposed wiring, contact us or your distributor immediately for safety reasons.
High bill concerns:
If you think your bill is higher than expected, we can check your meter data and test accuracy if needed.
Access issues:
Please ensure our meter readers or technicians can safely access your meter. If there are locked gates or dogs on the property, let us know so we can arrange access safely.
Your Rights and Privacy
Your rights
When your meter is upgraded or replaced, you’ll always be notified in advance. You have the right to:
- Be informed of any planned work.
- Ask for identification from technicians.
- Be advised of any costs upfront.
- Receive a safe and compliant installation.
Data privacy
Smart meter data is encrypted and transmitted securely. We only use your information for billing and regulatory purposes, and you can request a copy of your data anytime.
We handle all customer information in line with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and National Energy Retail Rules.
Contact and Support
If you have questions about your meter, connection, or energy data, our team is here to help.
Call us: 1300 426 594
Email: support@1stenergy.com.au
In most cases, yes. Smart meters are being installed nationwide to improve reliability and modernise Australia’s electricity system. You can choose not to have a smart meter with remote communications (Type 4) and instead request a meter with no remote access functions enabled (Type 4A).
Yes. Smart meters meet strict Australian safety standards and undergo thorough testing before they’re installed.
The Australian Government’s independent regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), has confirmed that:
“There is no established scientific evidence that the low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic energy exposure from smart meters causes any health effects.”
In simple terms, the radio signals from smart meters are very low power, much lower than those from everyday devices like Wi-Fi routers or mobile phones.
You can read more on ARPANSA’s website:
Smart meters are now the standard type of electricity meter in Australia. When your existing meter needs to be replaced, for example, because it’s faulty, unsafe, or at the end of its life it will be replaced with a smart meter. This is part of a national upgrade program, and we are working with our customers to organise replacements as required.
Australia is moving to a smarter energy system. Smart meters make it easier to track and manage your electricity use, enable faster connections, and support solar, battery and electric vehicle technology. They also help improve reliability across the power network.
If your current meter is working safely, you can usually keep it until it needs to be replaced. However, once it’s due for replacement, it will be upgraded to a smart meter, that’s a national requirement under electricity market rules.
Smart meters send usage data securely to your energy retailer using encrypted communications. Only authorised parties (such as your retailer, distributor, or metering provider) can access this data, and all personal information is protected by Australian privacy laws.
If you have special circumstances, such as property access issues, medical sensitivities, or other concerns please let us know. We’ll work with you and the metering provider to discuss any available options.
If a meter exchange is required, refusing access may mean we can’t continue supplying electricity safely or in line with national metering regulations. We’ll always give you plenty of notice before any scheduled work and let you know what to expect during the installation.
Meter replacements are coordinated by your metering coordinator and local network distributor, based on factors such as safety, age, or rollout schedules. We’ll always keep you informed ahead of time.
Your power may be interrupted briefly while the meter is replaced, typically less than an hour.
A licensed metering technician will complete the work safely and in line with national regulations.
Your new smart meter will continue to measure both your household use and your solar export accurately. We’ll make sure your tariff settings carry over.
There’s no charge for a standard meter exchange as part of the smart meter rollout. In some cases, additional work may be needed to ensure the upgrade can be safely completed. If that happens, we’ll let you know and won’t proceed with the exchange until you’re informed. Other work (like relocations) may involve a network or metering fee. We’ll confirm any costs before proceeding.