Your provider will usually charge you money for this service, known as a connection or disconnection fee.
Most properties should already have a pre-existing gas or electricity connection. If not, scroll down to "Connecting a new property" further down the guide.
Connection and disconnection fees are dictated by your energy distributor and are based on location, not your retailer.
This means the fees will be the same no matter who your retailer is, although they may be waived on some plans.
Here are the connection and disconnection fees for electricity and gas in Australia as of March 2024, organised by state and distributor.
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Ausgrid | $14.60 for both |
| Endeavour Energy | $49.80 for both |
| Essential Energy | $63.61 for connection and $23.05 for disconnection |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| EVOEnergy | $102.40 |
You will only be charged for a manual read. Since every home in VIC has a smart meter, you should be eligible for a remote read which costs $0.
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Citipower | $44.85 for connection and $45.52 for disconnection |
| Powercor | $66.44 for connection and $70.61 for disconnection |
| AusNet Services | $43.27 for connection and $43.27 for disconnection |
| Jemena | $61.55 for connection and $88.25 for disconnection |
| United Energy | $62.24 for both |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Energex | $14.45 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| SA Power Networks | $58.07 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| SA Power Networks | $58.07 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Horizon Power |
|
| Synergy | $30.95 (there's no disconnection fee) |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Jemena | $15.07 |
| Australian Gas Networks Albury | $15.62 |
| Australian Gas Networks Murray Valley | $15.62 |
| Australian Gas Networks | $63.81 |
| Central Ranges Tamworth | $57.12 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| EvoEnergy | $13.20 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Multinet | $8.22 |
| Australian Gas Networks (metro) | $11.33 |
| Australian Gas Networks (non-metro) | $15.62 |
| Australian Gas Networks Mildura | $13.64 |
| AusNet Services | $7.68 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Australian Gas Networks | $13.20 |
| APT Allgas | $24.83 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Australian Gas Networks | $13.64 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| TasGas | $13.64 |
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| ATCO Gas Australia | $16.71 connection fee and $64.05 disconnection fee |
If you don't let your provider know you're moving in, you'll arrive at a cold, unpowered home.
Notify your provider at least 3 days before moving in so they have time to get things connected.
The switch will be automatic and require no further action. You may need to be present for the connection if you live in Queensland or New South Wales. Your energy retailer will let you know beforehand.
If you're renting, contact your provider and have the energy account transferred to your name from the landlord or rental agency.
If you don't disconnect your old property, you'll have to keep paying the daily supply charge for electricity and gas, despite not living there anymore.
Make sure you contact your provider for that property ahead of time so they can disconnect it on the right day.
Generally, your provider will need 3 days of notice at a minimum to get everything done. However, it's a good idea to let them know up to a month or so ahead to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
If you've left it too late, your provider may allow for an urgent connection. This usually means you'll have to pay an extra fee for the short notice.
In addition to connection and disconnection fees, providers may charge you the following:
Electrical connections to new properties need to be organised before construction begins, so that the builders have access to power. These days, a connection will usually be made by underground cables.
Your local distributor will oversee the construction of any new power connections. Some will do it for free, covering the cost through network fees on power bills. Others may give you a quote for doing the work.
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