Connect Your Utilities — Electricity & Gas

Get your new home connected before moving day. Compare plans and avoid connection delays.

What happens next?

Three things to sort before moving day

Setting Up Utilities: State-by-State Guide

Connection timing depends on your retailer, distribution network, and whether the property is metro or regional. Timeframes assume the meter is in place — new builds may take 10–20 business days for meter installation. Apartments in embedded networks may not have retailer choice; check with your body corporate.

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Confirm specifics with your retailer or the relevant comparison tool for your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I connect electricity to my new home?

Connect electricity 2 to 4 weeks before settlement. Sign up with a retailer online or over the phone — have your settlement date, the new address, and a form of ID ready. Connection usually takes same day to 3 business days if a meter is already installed. For new builds with no active meter, allow 5 to 10 business days plus an electrician visit ($200 to $500) to install and commission the meter. Don’t wait until moving day — arrange it at least 2 weeks early to avoid moving into a dark house.

How early should I set up electricity and gas before moving in?

Set up your electricity and gas connections at least 5 business days before move-in day. Most retailers can connect electricity within 1-3 business days and gas within 3-5 business days, but rural and regional addresses can take longer. Same-day connections are sometimes available for an additional fee. You’ll need your move-in date, NMI (National Meter Identifier) for electricity, MIRN (Meter Installation Reference Number) for gas, and proof of ID — most providers can handle the switch online or by phone.

Is it cheaper to bundle electricity and gas with one provider?

Bundling electricity and gas with one provider can simplify billing and sometimes unlock a small dual-fuel discount (typically 1-3%), but the cheapest electricity plan in your area isn’t always with the same retailer as the cheapest gas plan. Comparing both bundled and separate options usually surfaces the better deal. Low-usage households (small apartments, gas-only cooking) often save more by picking the absolute cheapest provider per fuel rather than bundling.

Do I need to connect water when I move?

In most Australian states, water stays connected and simply transfers at settlement — your conveyancer handles the final meter reading and transfers the account into your name. You do not need to arrange a separate connection or make a phone call in most cases. Confirm with your local council or water authority if you’re unsure, and check your first water bill after settlement to make sure you have been set up correctly.

When should I connect utilities at my new home?

Most retailers ask for 1–3 business days’ notice for next-day connection in metro areas. For new builds with no meter installed, allow 10–20 business days. The safe default is to organise utilities 5–7 business days before move-in so the meter read aligns with your move-in date.

Do I need to be home for the electricity connection?

Usually no. NSW and QLD distributors sometimes require an adult onsite if the power is currently off at the meter. Most other states proceed without anyone present, provided the meter is accessible and the main switch is off. Your retailer will tell you when you book.

What if I’m in Western Australia or the Northern Territory?

WA and NT residential customers don’t have retailer choice. In WA’s South West Interconnected System (Perth metro through to the southwest), Synergy is the government-owned retailer. Outside the SWIS, Horizon Power covers regional WA. In NT, Jacana Energy is the government-owned retailer for residential customers. Comparison shopping doesn’t apply — you’ll be set up with whichever monopoly retailer covers your address.

What’s the Default Market Offer (DMO) and why does it matter?

Every retailer has a default plan for new customers who don’t actively select one. In NSW, SA, and south-east QLD, the Default Market Offer (DMO) is the AER-set price cap on default contracts. In VIC, the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) does the same. Default plans are the maximum legal price — they’re rarely the cheapest. Most retailers offer market plans $300–$500/year less.

How do I avoid being put on a default plan when I move?

When you connect, ask the retailer specifically for their cheapest market plan that fits your usage. In Victoria, retailers must tell you on every bill if you could save on another of their plans (every 3 months for electricity, 4 months for gas). Always actively select a plan — don’t accept the first plan offered without asking what else is available.

Can I switch retailers right after I move in?

Yes — in NECF states (NSW/QLD/SA/ACT/TAS) and VIC. There’s no fee to switch, and the new retailer handles the transfer. Your supply isn’t interrupted. Standard switching window is 2–3 business days. WA and NT residents can’t switch retailers because there’s only one option.

How long does it take to connect electricity to a new build?

New builds typically need a meter installed before you can connect. Synergy in WA, Western Power, and most distributors quote 5 business days metro / up to 10 business days rural for new meter installation. Submit your connection request as soon as your builder confirms the practical completion date. Speak to your builder if you’re unsure whether the meter is already installed.

Does Compare the Market cover my state?

Compare the Market’s energy comparison covers NSW, VIC, south-east QLD, parts of SA, TAS, and ACT. It compares 33+ retailers including AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia, Alinta, Red Energy, Powershop, Lumo, ENGIE, Tango, Momentum and others. It doesn’t cover WA, NT, or regional QLD because those areas have monopoly retailers (Synergy, Jacana, Ergon) — there’s nothing to compare.

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