March 4, 2025

How Your Electricity Meter Works in Australia

If you use electricity, you have an electricity meter. Somewhere on your property, a little box is quietly keeping track of every bit of power you use. But do you know how to read it? Or what to do if your bill suddenly makes no sense?

Understanding your meter can help you keep tabs on your energy use, confirm your bill is correct, and even find ways to cut down on costs. Let’s break it down.

Where to Find Your Electricity Meter

Your electricity meter is usually outside your home.

Houses: Look near the front door, along an external wall, or around the side of the house.
Apartments, townhouses, or units: Meters are usually grouped together in a shared meter room or near the entrance of the building.
Two meters?: One is likely for general electricity, while the other is for your hot water system.

Can’t find it? Your electricity provider can help you out.

Types of Electricity Meters

Not all meters work the same way. Depending on what you have, you might need to read it differently.

Accumulation Meter (Basic Meter) :The old-school version. It just keeps counting up. A meter reader comes by every now and then to check how much electricity you’ve used.
Interval Meter: This one records your usage in set intervals, usually every 30 minutes. It gives a more detailed breakdown of when and how you use power.
Smart Meter: The most advanced type. Smart meters send your usage data straight to your electricity provider. No more estimated bills or manual readings. Many also let you track your electricity use through an app or online.

What Happens If Your Meter Is Faulty?

Sometimes, meters get it wrong. If your bill suddenly jumps but you haven’t changed your energy habits, your meter might be the problem.

Signs Your Meter Might Be Faulty

Your bill has doubled or tripled for no reason.
Your meter keeps ticking even when everything is turned off.
Your neighbour (who has a similar house) pays way less.

What You Can Do

Compare your meter reading to your bill.
Shut off everything and check if the meter is still running.
Call your electricity provider and request a meter test. If it’s faulty, they’ll need to replace it.

How to Read Your Electricity Meter

Want to confirm your usage? Here’s how to read different meters:

Digital Display (Most Common for Smart Meters)
- Read from left to right.
- Ignore numbers in red or after the decimal point.
- Example reading: 09249
Dial Display (Found on Some Older Meters)
- Each dial moves like a clock.
- Read from left to right.
- If a pointer is between two numbers, record the lower one.
- Example reading: 03862
Electronic Display
- Some rotate through multiple readings (for different tariffs).
- Press the display button to cycle through.
- Take note of each reading separately.

How Often Should You Read Your Meter?

Keeping an eye on your meter is a good habit. It helps you track your usage and avoid bill shock.

Smart Meters – No need to check. Your provider does it automatically.
Manual Meters – Checking once a month is a good idea.
Estimated Bills – If your provider is guessing your usage, submitting your own reading can help keep things accurate.

What to Do When Setting Up Electricity

If you’re moving into a new place, your electricity provider needs access to your meter.

If it’s behind a locked gate or inside a building, make sure someone is home or leave access open.
If the meter is hard to find, let your provider know in advance.
Some providers offer same-day connections, so setting up early can save you from moving into a house with no power.

Who Is Responsible for Your Meter?

Your electricity meter is either owned by your electricity provider or your local energy distributor.

If you have a faulty meter or incorrect readings, your provider is your first point of contact.
If you need a new meter installed, your provider will arrange it with the distributor.
Smart meters are rolled out as part of upgrade programs, but if you want one sooner, you’ll need to request it.

Can You Get a Smart Meter?

Smart meters are becoming the standard across Australia. Many providers offer free installations, but availability depends on a few factors:

Whether your provider offers smart meters.
Whether they’ve been rolled out in your area.
If your existing meter is faulty or outdated.
If there are installation costs (some providers charge for this).

If you’re not sure, your electricity provider can let you know.

Read More: Smart Meter vs Analogue

Understanding Your Electricity Bill

Your bill isn’t just a random number. It’s based on how much electricity you use and how much your provider charges per unit.

Important Terms You Should Know

Energy Usage (kWh):The total electricity you’ve used during the billing period, measured in kilowatt-hours.
Electricity Usage Charge (c/kWh): The rate you’re charged per unit of electricity.
Tariffs: The pricing structure that determines how you’re charged for electricity.

Common Tariffs

Single Rate Tariff: One flat rate, no matter the time of day.
Time of Use Tariff: Cheaper rates during off-peak hours, higher rates during peak times.
Controlled Load Tariff: A lower rate applied to things like hot water systems that run off-peak.

Electricity rates and tariff options vary by provider and state, so checking your bill can help you understand exactly what you’re paying for.

How to Lower Your Electricity Bill

Now that you know how electricity is measured, here are some ways to cut costs:

Turn off appliances when not in use: Even in standby mode, they still use power.
Switch to LED lighting: Uses way less electricity than traditional bulbs.
Adjust your thermostat: Heating and cooling are big energy users.
Run appliances during off-peak times: If you have a time-of-use tariff, this can save you money.
Compare electricity providers: If your rates have gone up, switching could save you money.

What to Do If You Move House

Moving homes? Here’s what you need to do to get your electricity sorted:

Call your provider early: Some can connect power on the same day, but it’s best to plan ahead.
Close your old account: Otherwise, you might get billed for energy at your old place.
Check your new meter reading when you move in: Make sure your bill starts with the right numbers.
Consider switching providers: A move is a great time to shop around for better rates.