Moving house utilities: How to connect power, gas, internet and water

To set up utilities when moving house, give your electricity, gas and internet providers your move-in date at least 2 weeks ahead, check the NBN connection at your new address and photograph your meters at both properties. Water usually stays connected. Most electricity connections are done remotely by the next business day, but internet and new builds can take much longer.

This guide covers every utility you need to sort when you move: what to do and when, how long each connection takes, what it costs in your state and your rights if something goes wrong.

Moving house utilities checklist: what to do and when

Use this timeline to work backwards from moving day.

Compare energy plans for your new address

How long does it take to connect utilities?

Internet usually takes longest, so book it first. Electricity is often the quickest because most homes now have smart meters that can be switched on remotely.

How to connect electricity when you move

1. Choose a plan for the new address. Your current plan doesn't automatically follow you. Moving is a good time to compare electricity plans, since you're setting up a new account anyway.
2. Book the connection. Give your new retailer your move-in date, the address and ideally the NMI (National Metering Identifier) from a previous bill or your real estate agent.
3. Close or move your old account. Tell your current retailer your move-out date so they can take a final read. If you're staying with the same retailer, they can usually do both at once.
4. Make sure the meter is accessible. If the property doesn't have a smart meter, someone may need to visit in person.
5. Check your first bill. Make sure it starts on your move-in date and matches your opening meter reading.

What if the property has solar panels?

Solar feed-in tariff credits go to whoever holds the electricity account, not whoever owns the panels. If you're moving into a home with solar, renting or buying, choose a plan with a good feed-in tariff to get the credits yourself. Legacy premium rates, like those under Queensland's Solar Bonus Scheme, don't transfer to a new account holder.

How much does it cost to connect electricity when moving?

When you move in, the local electricity network charges a fee to switch the power on (sometimes called a re-energisation or move-in fee), and your retailer passes it on to you on your first bill. The fee depends on your network, not your retailer, and it's reset each July when the Australian Energy Regulator approves the networks' new prices.

The fee is higher outside business hours because the work usually needs a technician on site at overtime rates, while most business-hours connections are scheduled in advance or done remotely through a smart meter. Not every network offers out-of-hours connections, and some only offer a limited window.

• Victorian network connection fees

  In Victoria, nearly every home has a smart meter, so most move-in connections are done remotely. A technician visit costs more.

  Network	Done remotely	Technician visit	Power already on (meter read)	Outside business hours
  AusNet Services	$0	$52.00	Not listed	Not listed
  CitiPower	$0	$51.19	$42.09	Not offered
  Jemena	$0	$70.79	$68.22	$123.57
  Powercor	$0	$75.83	$66.57	Not offered
  United Energy	$0	$71.04	$33.36	$124.33

Do you pay to disconnect the power when you move out?

When you move out, your retailer usually only needs a final meter read to close your account, and the power stays on for the next occupant. Some networks and retailers charge a fee for this final read, which may be passed on to you. If you ask for the power to be physically disconnected, expect a bigger network fee, often similar to the cost of a move-in connection.

Other costs to look out for:

• Exit fees. Most energy plans no longer have them, but check your contract if you're leaving a retailer.
• Gas connection. Gas networks charge their own fees, and a meter that has been physically disconnected costs more to reconnect.
• Internet relocation. Some providers charge to move your service, especially if you're still on a contract. Month-to-month plans usually move for free or a small fee.
• NBN New Development Charge. A one-off charge if you're the first to order NBN at a newly built home.

How to connect gas when moving house

Connecting gas works the same way as electricity: choose a gas plan, give the retailer your move-in date and take a meter reading when you arrive. Allow about 3 business days. You can often save by getting electricity and gas from the same retailer.

If the gas supply has been physically disconnected or you're moving into a new build, a licensed gasfitter may need to check the appliances and issue a compliance certificate before the gas can be turned on. Not every home has mains gas, so check whether yours uses bottled LPG or is all-electric.

How to move your internet and NBN

• Check the address first. Look up the NBN technology type at least 4 weeks before you move. Fibre to the premises, fixed wireless and satellite can perform very differently to your current connection.
• Leave the NBN box behind. The NBN connection box is registered to the address, so don't take it with you. Do take your own modem or router.
• Someone 18+ may need to be home. If a technician needs to visit, an adult has to be there to let them in.
• Moving your plan vs switching. If you're on a contract, moving with your provider can avoid cancellation fees. If you're month to month, it's a good time to compare NBN plans. Read our guide on how to switch or move your broadband.
• Need internet straight away? 5G home internet or home wireless broadband uses a plug-in modem with no installation, so it can bridge the gap until your NBN is ready.

Compare NBN plans for your new address

Do you need to set up water when moving house?

Water is almost always left connected, so there's nothing to switch on. What changes is who pays the bill.

• Homeowners: the water account is transferred to you at settlement, usually by your conveyancer, and charges are adjusted between buyer and seller. Check your water utility has your details.
• Renters: the landlord holds the account and pays the fixed service charges. You usually only pay for water usage, and only if certain rules are met.

Can tenants be charged for water usage?

The rules depend on your state or territory:

• NSW: Only if the property is separately metered and meets water-efficiency standards, the charge isn't more than the bill and you get a copy of the bill. You have at least 21 days to pay.
• VIC: Only if the property is separately metered. You pay for water usage and sewage disposal, the landlord pays the fixed service charges and you have 28 days to repay the landlord if they paid your share.
• QLD: Only if the property is individually metered, water efficient and the lease says you pay.
• SA: As agreed in your lease. If there's no agreement, you only pay for usage on a separately metered property. You don't have to pay if the landlord doesn't give you a copy of the bill within 30 days of the invoice date, and sewerage charges and council rates can't be passed on.
• WA: Only for the water you actually use, and only with written notice. If the property is separately metered, the notice must show the meter readings and the price per unit.
• TAS: Only if TasWater bills usage separately and the property has its own meter. Sewerage charges stay with the owner.
• ACT: Only if the property is separately metered. The landlord pays the water and sewerage supply charges.
• NT: Only if the property is individually metered and your agreement says you pay. Supply charges can't be passed on.

• Main water utilities by area

  Area	Water utility
  Sydney, Blue Mountains, Illawarra	Sydney Water
  Newcastle and Hunter	Hunter Water
  Melbourne	Greater Western Water, South East Water or Yarra Valley Water
  Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Somerset	Urban Utilities
  Logan	Logan Water (Logan City Council)
  Gold Coast	City of Gold Coast
  Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Noosa	Unitywater
  Adelaide and SA	SA Water
  Perth and WA	Water Corporation
  Tasmania	TasWater
  Canberra	Icon Water
  Darwin and NT	Power and Water

Can you choose your energy provider at your new address?

It depends on where you're moving. If you're moving interstate, your current retailer may not operate there.

Setting up utilities when renting, buying or building

If you're renting

You're usually responsible for setting up electricity, gas and internet in your own name. Your agent may suggest a connection service. You don't have to use it, and you can still compare and pick your own providers. Some rentals include utilities in the rent, so check your lease. Consider renters insurance for your belongings.

If you're buying

Book energy and internet for your settlement date. You can't usually connect before settlement because you don't have the right to occupy the property yet. Water and council rates are adjusted at settlement. You'll also need home insurance from settlement or exchange, depending on your contract.

If you're moving into a new build

Start early. A brand-new property may need a new meter installed, gas appliances certified and an NBN installation, which can take weeks to months. If you're first to connect NBN, expect to pay NBN Co's New Development Charge. Your builder should be able to tell you what's already been done.

Your rights when connecting utilities

• You must agree to a new contract. A retailer needs your explicit informed consent before it signs you up or transfers your account. You should never be signed up just because you rang to ask a question.
• 10-day cooling-off period. In most states you have 10 business days to cancel a new energy market contract without penalty.
• Life support equipment. If someone in your home relies on life support equipment, tell your new energy retailer when you book the connection. Retailers must register you even before you move in, and you're protected from that point: you can't be disconnected and you'll get at least 4 business days' notice of planned outages. You'll then usually have at least 50 business days to return a medical confirmation form signed by your doctor. Victoria has similar rules under its own Energy Retail Code of Practice.
• Disputes. If you can't resolve a problem with your provider, you can complain for free to your state's energy and water ombudsman: EWON (NSW), EWOV (VIC), EWOQ (QLD), EWOSA (SA), the Energy and Water Ombudsman WA, the Energy Ombudsman Tasmania or Ombudsman NT. In the ACT, contact the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).

Moving out: closing your accounts

• Give your retailers your move-out date so they can take a final read and close the account. If you don't, you could be billed for the next occupant's usage.
• Take a dated photo of each meter on your last day as a backup.
• Ask for any security deposit or credit balance to be refunded.

Should you switch providers when you move?

Moving is the easiest time to switch, because you're opening new accounts anyway and most energy plans have no exit fees. If you don't choose a plan, you'll be billed on your retailer's standing offer, which is usually one of its pricier rates.

It's worth comparing if:

• Your current plan's discount has ended or you haven't compared in over a year
• Your new home has solar panels and you want a better feed-in tariff
• You want a greener energy provider
• You're moving interstate and your retailer doesn't operate there
• You might move again soon and want a month-to-month plan with no lock-in contract

See how bills compare in our average energy bill guide, or compare the big brands: AGL vs Origin, AGL vs EnergyAustralia and EnergyAustralia vs Origin.

Compare energy plans for your new home

Who else to tell when you move

• Australia Post: set up mail redirection to your new address. The price depends on how long you need it, and there are cheaper concession rates.
• Government: update your address in myGov to share it with the ATO, Centrelink and Medicare. Centrelink recipients must report a move within 14 days.
• State services: your driver's licence, car registration and electoral enrolment.
• Your bank, insurers and mobile provider: update your address and review your contents insurance for the new property and how it covers the move.

Frequently asked questions

• What utilities do I need to set up when moving house?

  Most homes need electricity, internet and water, and some also need gas. Electricity, gas and internet need to be set up in your name. Water stays connected and is handled by the owner or, for buyers, transferred at settlement.

• How long does it take to connect electricity and gas when I move?

  Electricity is usually connected the next business day if you book before your retailer's cut-off, and gas within about 3 business days. If your new home has a smart meter, it can often be switched on remotely. Weekend and after-hours connections cost more and aren't offered everywhere, so book a business-day connection at least 2 weeks before you move in.

• What happens if the power is already on when I move in?

  You pay for what you use from day one. Until you set up an account, you're automatically billed on the current retailer's standing offer (the Victorian Default Offer in Victoria), which is usually one of its pricier rates. Take a meter reading on the day you move in so you only pay for your own usage.

• Do I need to be home for the electricity to be connected?

  Usually not. Smart meters can be switched on remotely. If the property has an older meter, the technician only needs clear access to it, so unlock gates, secure pets and turn the main switch off if your network asks you to.

• Do my energy concessions and rebates move with me?

  Not automatically. When you open an account at your new address, give the retailer your concession card details again so your rebates are applied. If you're moving interstate, the rebates on offer and who can get them may differ, so check what the new state offers.

• When will I get my first bill after moving?

  That depends on your billing cycle. If you're billed monthly you'll get your first bill within about a month. If you're billed quarterly it can take up to about 3 months. Your final bill usually arrives a few weeks after you move out, so give your old retailer a forwarding address. Check both bills against the meter readings you took.

• Do I need to tell Sydney Water when I move?

  If you're buying or selling, your conveyancer usually handles the account change at settlement. If you're renting, the landlord holds the account, so you don't normally need to contact Sydney Water. It's still worth taking a photo of the water meter when you move in and out.

• Can I take my internet plan and NBN box with me when I move?

  You can usually take your plan, but not the NBN box. Most providers will move your plan to your new address if it can get the same connection type. Some charge a relocation fee and others don't, and if you're on a contract and cancel instead, you may pay a cancellation fee. The NBN connection box belongs to the property and is registered to that address, so leave it behind, but take your own modem or router. If the new address uses a different NBN technology you may need new equipment, and if it's the first NBN connection in a new development, there's a one-off New Development Charge. Check the address on our NBN tracker before you sign anything.

• Can I keep my electricity provider if I move interstate?

  Only if your retailer operates in the state you're moving to. Many retailers don't sell in WA, TAS, the NT or regional QLD, where most homes are with a single government-owned retailer. Ask your retailer, then compare plans at your new address.

• What if my new home uses bottled LPG instead of mains gas?

  If there's no mains gas connection, you'll need to arrange LPG bottles with a supplier. The bottles at the property may belong to the previous occupant's supplier account, so check before you use them. Order your first delivery before you move in. Most suppliers also charge an annual bottle rental fee.

• What if I'm moving into an apartment or an embedded network?

  Most apartments with their own meter work like a house, and you choose your own retailer. The exception is an embedded network, where the building buys power in bulk and on-sells it to residents through a private network. They're common in apartments, retirement villages and caravan parks. You have the legal right to choose your own retailer, but in practice few retailers offer this and it can cost more, so ask the building manager who supplies the building before you move in. Protections are improving. In NSW, embedded network sellers must be members of EWON, the state's energy ombudsman, and price caps are being introduced. In Victoria, embedded network prices are capped.

Written by

Luana Matrone

Writer

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Luana Matrone is a graduate at Finder aiming to help consumers make more informed financial decisions. She has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing and a Bachelor of Psychology from Macquarie University. Outside of work Luana enjoys sport, shopping and can make a mean choc top. See full bio