Meter service charges
South East Queensland
Charges for smart meters are not regulated.
Many retailers add metering charges to the daily supply charges.
In South East Queensland, if your electricity retailer proposes to replace a working meter with a smart meter, they must inform you of any upfront charges for the installation and what those charges will be. However, if your meter is replaced as part of a retailer’s Legacy Meter Replacement Plan, there are no upfront fees.
Regional Queensland
Customers on regulated (notified) prices
All new or replacement meters must be an advanced smart meter (smart meter). The cost of metering is included in the daily supply charge.
For regional Queensland customers on standing offer contracts, the Government tasks the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) with setting prices for smart metering services.
The QCA bases these small customer (residential and small business) charges on the Australian Energy Regulator approved prices for Energex’s standard meters. This ensures that customers, who do not have any genuine choice as to the type of meter they receive, pay the same regardless of what type is installed at their premises or where they live.
All small customers in regional Queensland will pay the same for each of their metering services, regardless of the type of meter they have.
Metering charges cover costs associated with providing meter services, such as:
- purchase or capital cost of the metering equipment
- the onsite connection of a meter
- works to inspect, test, maintain, repair and replace meters
- quarterly or other regular reading of the meter
- processing, storage, delivery and management of metering data.
Contact your electricity retailer for more information about your metering service charges, or before the installation of a new meter.
Find out more about smart meters.
Customers on market contracts
For regional customers on market contracts, charges for smart meters are not regulated.
Many retailers include metering charges in the daily supply charges.
New billing arrangements with smart meters
With a smart meter, you may select more frequent billing options (e.g. monthly or fortnightly) which may assist you with budgeting. Unlike existing monthly billing products, which are based on estimates, these bills will be based on your actual consumption data transmitted daily from the smart meter.
Electricity retailers may also offer electricity customers with smart meters the ability to select their preferred billing date as electricity retailers are not bound by manual meter reading cycles. Contact your retailer for more information.
Find out more about the new arrangements
- Contact your electricity retailer for more information about your electricity meter.
- Read the Energex and Ergon Energy power of choice information.
- Find out how you can reduce your electricity bill.
- Learn more about how to choose or change your electricity retailer.
- Read more about the metering changes, explained by the Australian Energy Regulator, the Australian Energy Market Commission and the Australian Energy Market Operator.
Current electricity prices
Customers in regional Queensland are strongly encouraged to contact Ergon Energy Retail for advice and information on current electricity prices and available tariffs.
In South East Queensland, customers can contact their electricity retailer for the latest electricity prices and advice on tariffs.
Find out more
- Compare offers from electricity retailers.
- Find out about energy concessions.
- Learn how you can save money on electricity.
- For more information about your metering charges or your metering services, contact your electricity retailer or read about Ergon Energy Retail service charge.
- Learn more about smart meters.
- Find out about your electricity consumer rights and how to make a complaint.