New connection fees are a one-off payment from your retailer that will be charged in your first bill when getting electricity connected or connecting gas and electricity to a new home. The electricity connection charge is the cost from the gas and electricity distributor to ‘switch on’ the power supply to your home when setting up electricity in a new home.
The connection fee should not be confused with installation or metering charges, which cover the physical work of connecting power to a house or setting up a new electric meter connection. Even if your home already has a power supply, you will still need to pay a connection fee when you get a new electricity connection or set up utilities after moving house.
The connection fee varies based on the distributor servicing your location. Your distributor is assigned by region and can’t be changed, meaning your new electricity connection cost, gas connection fee, or reconnection fee electricity are fixed and can’t be avoided.
Below is a guide to the connection fees for electricity and gas by distributor, useful if you’re wondering how much it costs to connect power to a property or how to get power turned on in a new house. Some properties may incur extra fees if they have special requirements, such as those with off-grid power systems in Tasmania or Western Power connection requirements. You can check with the team at Move-In Connect to confirm your final total power connection fee.
Keep reading to find out the electricity and gas connection fee in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, and South Australia. This guide helps whether you’re moving house and need an electricity or gas connection, or just want to know how to apply for electricity connection in your area.
ELECTRICITY CONNECTION FEES
The table below shows the cost to connect electricity by state, including electricity connection fee Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, ACT and South Australia. So,if you’re getting power connected to a property, and wondering how to apply for an electricity connection or if you want to know the charges for new electricity connections in different parts of Australia
Note: Western Power connection requirements and underground power costs in WA are notably higher than other states.
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ELECTRICITY CONNECTION FEES |
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| State | Region | Distributor | Connection Fee (2025) |
| VIC | Melbourne City and inner suburbs | CitiPower | $44.00 |
| Western suburbs and western Victoria | Powercor | $44.00 | |
| Outer northern & eastern suburbs and eastern Victoria | AusNet Services | $44.00 | |
| Northern and south-western suburbs | Jemena | $44.00 | |
| Southern suburbs and Mornington Peninsula | United Energy | $44.00 | |
| NSW | Inner, northern & eastern metropolitan Sydney and surrounds | Ausgrid | $15.87 |
| Southern & western metropolitan Sydney and surrounds | Endeavour Energy | $77.50 | |
| Country & regional NSW, southern regional QLD | Essential Energy | $21.15 | |
| QLD | Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & surrounds | Energex | $13.27 |
| ACT | All of the ACT | EvoEnergy | $872.58 |
| SA | All of South Australia | SA Power Networks | $60.94 |
| WA | All of WA | Western Power | $3,400 – $4,900 |
Fees are correct for May 2025.
For new homes or apartments, understanding your electric meter connection price or if there’s a revenue offset involved is important. The cost to connect power to a property or run electricity to a house varies widely, especially if you’re planning to live off-grid in Tasmania or building in areas with Western Power underground power requirements.
If you’re unsure how to get electricity for an apartment or how to get power turned on in a new house, it helps to compare provider plans during setup. For reconnections, reconnection fees for electricity may apply based on your provider and region.
If you do not live in a deregulated market, you will be charged a fee by your government regulated supplier. For WA residents, your cost for usage and new connections will be charged through Western Power cost per kWh and connection fees on your bill.
NATURAL GAS CONNECTION FEES
The table below shows the cost of gas connection to houses by state, including gas connection fee Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT and South Australia.
| State | Distributor | Gas Connection Fee (2025) |
| VIC | Multinet | $2,022.90 |
| Australian Gas Networks (Metro) | $1,697.30 | |
| Australian Gas Networks (Non-Metro) | $1,697.30 | |
| Australian Gas Networks Mildura | $1,697.30 | |
| AusNet Services | $2,022.90 | |
| NSW | Jemena | $1,472.00 |
| Australian Gas Networks Albury | $14.08 | |
| Australian Gas Networks Murray Valley | $14.08 | |
| Australian Gas Networks | $56.69 | |
| Central Ranges Tamworth | $52.49 | |
| QLD | Australian Gas Networks | $13.20 |
| APT Allgas | $25.60 | |
| SA | Australian Gas Networks | $14.19 |
| ACT | EvoEnergy | $14.30 |
| WA | Atco Gas Australia | $11.63 |
Fees correct at May 2025
Connection fees for moving house
To establish a new electricity connection when you move home, you need to contact your preferred supplier who will arrange to connect electricity and gas on your behalf. You do not need to speak to your distributor directly.
Usually, unless you are moving to a property that has been vacant for a long time or to a new build, your new home will have a pre-existing connection, but has been ‘disconnected’, meaning the power has been turned off. Your retailer will contact the distributor to have the power supply reconnected and pass on the electricity reconnection fee on your first bill.
The distributor sets the price for the connection (see table above). It is pre-determined and cannot be controlled by the retailer, although you may find some retailers offering special discounts on your total bill, which might reduce the reconnection fee electricity and gas.
It is important to compare energy plans from a range of retailers to find the cheapest rates, as well as other features that suit your needs, such as solar feed-in tariffs, rewards programs or incentives. Using a comparison service to find the best deal can save you money in the long run and help offset the cost of the connection fees.
Urgent connections
To ensure your connection is completed on time, you should give at least three business days’ notice for electricity and five business days for gas. If you have missed these timeframes, you can arrange an urgent connection. Urgent connections usually incur an additional fee. This varies between distributors but can be up to $400, so planning is essential.
Many retailers now offer a same-day or next-business-day service as part of their standard cost to connect electricity. If you need an urgent connection, call Move-In Connect and we can find you the best deal for your new electricity connection cost.
Disconnection Fees
You may also need to pay a disconnection fee from your current home if you are the account holder. The disconnection can be arranged by calling your retailer and letting them know the date you are moving.
The distributor will set the disconnection fee, so it is non-negotiable. Your retailer will pass on the cost to you. It is usually between $10 and $50, however in some areas it could be up to $100.
Make sure you also take a meter reading at your current property on the day you move. Your retailer will use this to calculate your final bill. It’s a good idea to take your own reading as a time-stamped photo, in case there are any discrepancies.
As part of our moving service, we will help you arrange the disconnection. Give us a call on 1300 786 045 to confirm the disconnection fee applicable to your area.
Connection fees for a new property
When you move to a new build, the ‘connection’ refers not only to the switch on the gas supply but also to the physical connection of the cables connecting the property to the power lines.
Usually, your builder will arrange this with an electrical contractor, who will provide an underground cable connection to the grid. A gas fitter will be engaged to install the gas pipes if required.
In some states, such as New South Wales, you will need an accredited service provider to complete the connection, whereas in other states the distributor can do the work.
There are not usually any upfront electricity or gas connection costs, because the distributor will recoup the expense on your initial bill through the connection and network charges.
If you are required to use an accredited service provider, then you might need to pay upfront. Depending on the complexity of the work, the electricity and gas connection cost for your new home could be several hundred dollars.
If you’re moving to a new property, find out more about the cost of the gas connection fee Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, ACT and South Australia in our guide: Gas Connection to a New Property.
Additional fees
If your new home has special requirements then you will usually incur additional fees. This could include an extension service, which is required if you need new power poles to be installed, or an augmentation, which is required if you need additional power lines to reinforce the existing infrastructure.
If you pay for these services and other properties make use of the poles and power lines in the future, you can claim a ‘pioneer rebate’ on your electricity bill. This can help to offset the electricity and gas connection costs for your future moves.
But what do these fees cover?
Electricity and gas connection fees cover a variety of costs, including:
- Administrative fees for setting up your account and transferring your service to your new address/new home;
- Physical costs for installing and connecting meters and other equipment at your new home or new business;
- Any necessary upgrades or repairs to the existing infrastructure to accommodate your service and
- Any taxes or government fees.
Can I Avoid Paying Electricity and Gas Connection Fees?
You may be able to avoid paying electricity and gas connection fees. Here are some tips and tricks to prevent increasing your energy bill when moving home:
Transferring Service Within the Same Provider
If you are moving home or business in the same distributor area, using the same energy provider could reduce or eliminate your transfer cost. Energy providers can connect your new home without charging you a connection fee. However, you will still have to pay service fees, including security deposits and installation fees.
Using a Move-In Special Offer
Many energy retailers have move-in specials; they waive or reduce connection fees for new customers. When moving home, check with your energy provider to see their available promotions to help you save on your energy bill.
Negotiating with Your Energy Provider
If you are moving home, there may be multiple energy providers. When multiple energy providers are available, you can negotiate, asking if they can reduce or waive any connection fees. It never hurts to ask; the worst they can do is say no.
Next steps
The first step to getting connected is to choose your retailer. Move In Connect’s comparison service can compare electricity plans for you and recommend the cheapest deal.
Once you have chosen your retailer, our 100% free moving service can arrange to disconnect you from your current home and connect your new home, all in one easy phone call!
We can help you consider all the moving essentials, to matching you with the best utility provider and compare energy companies. We consider:
- Gas plans
- Gas prices and gas rates
- Electricity plans
- Electricity prices and electricity rates
- Energy usage considerations
- Power connection timeframes
- Additional Fees:
- Exit fees
- Connection and disconnection fees
- Smart meter or metre fees
- Customer service
- Billing fees
Once you have chosen your retailer, our 100% free moving service can arrange to disconnect you from your current home and connect you to your new home—all in one easy phone call!
Make moving day a breeze:
Contact our friendly team at 1300 786 045 or enter your details online.
Useful links
How long does it take to connect electricity to my new home?
How do I switch my energy provider?
