NSW plans to roll out smart meters to all customers by 2030.
All new electricity meters for homes and small businesses in NSW must be advanced smart meters.
Older meters are also called basic meters, accumulation meters or legacy meters.
These older meters will be replaced with smart meters over time.
What this means for you
Energy retailers are responsible for installing meters for homes and small businesses.
Smart meters will be installed when a new or replacement meter is needed.
Retailers will replace old meters under Legacy Meter Replacement Plans.
This will happen between 1 December 2025 and 30 November 2030.
Most people will not need to do anything to get a smart meter.
Your energy retailer will contact you. This will happen at least four business days before they install the smart meter.
Customers cannot opt out of having their meter replaced.
For more information on metering, visit:
Benefits of smart meters
More usage information
Smart meters record electricity use at least every 30 minutes.
This can help you see how much electricity you use.
It may help you find ways to use less energy.
No more estimated bills
Smart meters can be read remotely.
This means your retailer should not need to estimate your bill.
If you have a smart meter and get an estimated bill, ask your retailer why.
More billing options
You can ask to get bills each month.
This may make budgeting easier.
Faster switching and transfers
Smart meters can make it faster to change retailers or move house.
The NSW Government has a temporary ban on remote connections and disconnections due to safety concerns.
Things to be aware of
Time of Use tariffs
Smart meters allow retailers to offer Time of Use tariffs.
This means electricity may cost more or less at different times of the day.
If you can choose when to use large appliances, you may save money.
This may include using:
- pool pumps
- clothes dryers
- dishwashers
- other large appliances.
You do not have to move to a Time of Use contract just because you have a smart meter.
But some retailers may only offer Time of Use contracts.
If you want to stay on a flat rate, you may need to change retailers.
You can read more about tariffs on the Energy Made Easy website.
Mobile signal needed
Smart meters use the mobile phone network to send data.
If you live in an area with weak or no mobile signal, some smart meter features may not work.
This may include remote meter reads and automatic connections.
Timeframes for meter installations
If you ask for a new meter, your retailer must install it by the date agreed with you.
If you cannot agree on a date, the retailer must install the meter within:
- 11 business days for a new connection
- 20 business days for a replacement meter.
Retailers may face penalties if they do not meet these timeframes.
You can read more on meter installation timeframes.
For more information about smart meters, visit the Australian Energy Regulator website.
