Don’t move in on a default rate.
Connect electricity + gas before move-in day. Skip the default plan. It’s the comparison price set by the Australian Energy Regulator, and may not be the cheapest. Compare a range of retailers via our Compare the Market partnership.
Three steps. Lights on, day one.
Free comparison via our trusted partner.
- 1Compare via Compare the Market.Takes minutes. Share your bill details for real cost estimates based on your usage.
- 2Pick a market plan, not a default.The default offer is the comparison price set by the AER. Market plans are often cheaper.
- 3Connect 5+ business days early.Walk into a working house, not a dark one.
Three rules before move-in. Don’t learn them on a $3,000 bill.
Book 5 to 7 days ahead
Most retailers need 1 to 3 business days metro / 5 to 10 rural. New builds need 10 to 20 business days for a fresh meter install. Don’t move in on day one with the power off.
The DMO is the comparison price, not the deal
The Default Market Offer is the comparison price set by the Australian Energy Regulator, and the maximum price for a standing offer plan, often not the cheapest. Most retailers offer market plans below it. Always ask for the cheapest market plan. Don’t accept the first plan offered.
No exit fees
For electricity, you can switch retailers any time outside WA, regional QLD and NT. No fee, no supply interruption (WA’s Perth gas market is deregulated, so gas can be switched there). Standard switch takes 2 to 3 business days. Compare and switch when you move in.
Don't move in on a default rate.
Compare electricity and gas plans before move-in day, and pay what you should, not the lazy tariff.
Empowering Aussies, one comparison at a time
We believe the best decisions start with a comparison. That's why our team has spent over a decade helping millions of Aussies compare prices and search for a better deal.
We strive to empower our customers to make better choices, saving them time, money and stress.
4.4/5 on Product Review (3,348 reviews) · 4.7/5 on Feefo (2,836 reviews) · 23 million comparisons, across all Compare the Market comparison services. Ratings as of 15/07/2026.
Why we picked Compare the Market
By providing your energy bill, you can receive real cost estimates based on your actual usage, not just headline rates.
NestPath earns a commission if you take out an energy plan through Compare the Market. No extra cost to you, and it doesn't change the comparison results you see. Affiliate revenue keeps NestPath free for first home buyers.
Compare The Market does not compare all plans in the market. See their website to view their range of brands.
What happens next?
Click through to Compare the Market
One click, opens in a new tab. A couple of minutes to share your address and usage details.
Compare plans for your address
See real prices side by side from multiple Australian retailers. Compare the Market handles the comparing, no human chasing.
Switch happens before move-in
Pick a plan, lock it in, switch happens before you arrive. You walk in, flip a switch, it works.
Setting Up Utilities: State-by-State Guide
| State | Retailer Choice | Connection Notice | Compare the Market* |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Yes, multiple retailer competition | 1 to 3 business days metro; next-day before 2pm | Covered |
| VIC | Yes, multiple retailer competition | 1 to 3 business days | Covered |
| QLD | SE QLD: yes, multiple retailer competition. Regional/Far North: Ergon monopoly | 1 to 3 business days | SE QLD only |
| WA | Electricity: no choice. Gas: multiple retailers in Perth | 3 to 5 business days metro; 6 to 10 rural | Gas only (Perth) |
| SA | Yes, multiple retailers | 1 to 3 business days | Covered |
| TAS | Aurora Energy is the local-area retailer | 1 to 3 business days | Not covered |
| ACT | Yes, multiple retailers | Same-day available before 1pm online | Covered |
| NT | Limited, depends on location and usage | Varies | Not covered |
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 to 20 business days for meter installation. Apartments in embedded networks may not have retailer choice; check with your body corporate.
*Compare The Market does not compare all plans in the market. See our website to view our range of brands.
Utilities Explained for First Home Buyers
When to Connect Utilities for Your New Home
Start connecting utilities 2 to 4 weeks before settlement. You can sign up online or over the phone. Have your settlement date, the new address, and a form of ID ready. Most retailers will activate the service on the date you specify, so there is no risk of being charged before you move in.
Typical connection timeframes (aim for the longer end to be safe):
- Electricity: same day to 3 business days if a meter is already installed. New builds without an active meter can take 5 to 10 business days, plus an electrician visit to install and commission the meter (cost varies by property and meter type).
- Gas: 3 to 5 business days. Some retailers offer dual fuel (electricity and gas on one bill). It can simplify billing, but bundling isn’t always the cheapest option, so it’s worth comparing bundled vs separate plans.
- Water: usually stays connected and simply transfers at settlement. Your conveyancer handles the final reading. Confirm with your council or water authority if you’re unsure.
Lock in your utility connection dates as soon as your settlement date is confirmed, so the power and gas are on the day you move in.
What Utilities Do You Need to Connect?
The core utilities every new homeowner needs to sort before moving day are electricity, gas (if applicable), and water. Everything else is optional.
- Electricity: essential. Choose a retailer, sign up 2 weeks ahead, and specify your move-in date. If the home has solar, ask about feed-in tariffs when comparing plans.
- Gas: if the property has it. Gas cooktops, gas hot water, and ducted gas heating all need an active connection. Dual-fuel retailers bill electricity and gas together for simplicity.
- Water: usually automatic. In most Australian states, water transfers with the property and the conveyancer handles the transfer at settlement. Confirm with your council.
- Optional extras. Pay TV (Foxtel/Fetch), security monitoring (if the property has an alarm), and home phone (rare now, most people rely on mobile).
How to Save on Utility Bills in Your New Home
Where you live determines which official comparison tool applies:
- NSW, QLD (south-east), SA, ACT, TAS: Energy Made Easy (energymadeeasy.gov.au) is the AER’s free, independent comparison tool covering every generally available plan retailers offer in NECF jurisdictions.
- VIC: Victorian Energy Compare (compare.energy.vic.gov.au) is the Victorian Government’s equivalent: independent, free, and includes every generally available electricity, gas, and solar tariff.
- WA and NT: residential retailers are government-owned monopolies (Synergy/Horizon in WA, Jacana in NT). Comparison shopping doesn’t apply for residential.
While you’re here
Our Compare the Market partnership also covers these verticals. Explore them all in the Insurance Hub.
- Home insuranceBuilding + contents cover
- Life insuranceCover in the event you pass away
- Income protectionCover for time off work
- Car insuranceNew address, new policy
- Health insurancePrivate health cover
- Pet insuranceVet bill cover
These links open our Insurance Hub guides. NestPath earns a commission if you take out a policy or plan through Compare the Market from those guides, at no extra cost to you. Same disclosure as the main partnership block above.
Utilities Questions
When should I connect electricity to my new home?
Connect electricity 2 to 4 weeks before settlement. You can compare a range of plans first using a comparison site like Compare the Market, then sign up. 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 to install the meter. Choose a connection date the day before you move in, in case there is a delay.
How early should I set up electricity and gas before moving in?
Set up at least 5 business days before move-in. Most retailers connect electricity within 1 to 3 business days and gas within 3 to 5 business days; rural/regional addresses can take longer. Same-day is sometimes available for an extra fee. You’ll need move-in date, NMI (electricity) or MIRN (gas) if you have them, and proof of ID.
Can I get same-day electricity connection?
Yes. Many retailers offer same-day or next-business-day if a meter is installed and you book before a cut-off (typically 12pm to 2pm). An urgent-connection fee may apply; the amount varies widely by retailer, meter type, and whether it is booked in or out of business hours. ACT (ActewAGL) is particularly fast: same-day before 1pm. WA, NT, and rural addresses generally cannot do same-day. If you’ve moved in and the power is off, call your retailer first, not the distributor.
How much does electricity typically cost per year in Australia?
It varies widely by household size, state, and usage. As a rough guide, many households fall somewhere between roughly $1,200 and $2,500 a year, with larger homes (pool, ducted aircon, electric hot water) higher and small apartments lower. Because costs differ so much by location and usage, the most reliable way to estimate yours is to compare plans using your own usage figures. Comparing at move-in, rather than defaulting to the standing offer, is one of the higher-value utility decisions a first home buyer can make.
Should I check solar feed-in tariffs when comparing energy plans?
If the home has solar, get your usage (import) rates competitive first (that is what matters most), then treat the solar feed-in tariff (FiT) as a valuable added extra. The FiT is what your retailer pays you for excess solar exported to the grid, typically 4 to 12c/kWh in 2026. When you compare, share as much usage detail as you can so the estimate reflects your real costs, and ask the seller for their last 4 quarterly bills to gauge usage and export.
Is it cheaper to bundle electricity and gas with one provider?
Not always. Bundling can simplify billing and sometimes unlock a small dual-fuel discount, but the cheapest electricity plan in your area often isn’t with the same retailer as the cheapest gas plan, and bundling can work out more expensive overall. Compare both bundled and separate options before deciding.
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 account transfer. No separate connection or phone call needed in most cases. Confirm with your council or water authority if you’re unsure, and check your first water bill after settlement.
When should I connect utilities at my new home?
Most retailers ask for 1 to 3 business days’ notice for next-day connection in metro areas. For new builds with no meter installed, allow 10 to 20 business days. Safe default: organise utilities 5 to 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. Whoever you sign up with will confirm the requirements when you book.
What if I’m in Western Australia or the Northern Territory?
WA and NT residential customers don’t have a choice of electricity retailer. In WA’s South West Interconnected System (Perth metro through to the southwest), Synergy is the government-owned electricity retailer; Horizon Power covers regional WA. WA’s gas market, however, is deregulated, so Perth households can choose from several gas retailers. In the NT, electricity is regulated by the NT Government and is not part of the National Energy Market, with availability depending on your location.
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. For electricity, the Default Market Offer (DMO) is the comparison price set by the AER on default contracts in NSW, SA, and SE QLD; in VIC, the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) does the same. Default plans are the maximum price for a standing offer plan and are often not the cheapest. Most retailers offer market plans below the default, so always ask for their cheapest market plan.
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 display a best-offer message on your bill if you could save on another of their plans. 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. For electricity in NECF states (NSW/SE QLD/SA/ACT/TAS) and VIC, there’s no fee to switch, the new retailer handles the transfer, and supply isn’t interrupted (usually 2 to 3 business days). WA, regional QLD and NT don’t have electricity retailer choice, but WA’s Perth gas market is deregulated, so gas customers there can switch retailers.
How long does it take to connect electricity to a new build?
New builds usually need a meter installed before connection. Most distributors quote about 5 business days metro / up to 10 business days rural for a new meter. Your builder commonly submits the meter registration to the distributor, so check with them first. Submit your connection request as soon as your builder confirms practical completion.
What is an NMI and where do I find it?
NMI = National Meter Identifier, a unique 10- or 11-character identifier for your property’s electricity meter (e.g. NMIVIC0001 23456). Easiest way for a retailer to set up your connection because it skips an address lookup. Find it on any previous electricity bill (ask the seller or your conveyancer), on the meter itself (printed on a small sticker), or by calling your distributor. Compare the Market’s comparison tool also lets you enter your NMI directly instead of the address. For gas, the equivalent is MIRN (Meter Installation Reference Number).
Does Compare the Market cover my state?
Compare the Market’s energy comparison covers NSW, VIC, SE QLD, SA, and ACT, comparing a range of major Australian electricity and gas retailers. It doesn’t cover Tasmania, or electricity in WA, NT, and regional QLD, where monopoly retailers apply. In WA, the Perth gas market is deregulated, so gas plans can be compared there. Compare The Market does not compare all plans in the market. See their website to view their range of brands.
Got a specific question we haven’t answered?
Drop us a quick note and we’ll come back within 24 hours with a straight answer, and a heads-up if Compare the Market or a different option is the right next step for your state.