The smart meter rollout has already begun in Queensland, and electricity customers should be aware of their rights and how smart meters can affect their bills.

What is a smart meter?

A smart meter tracks your electricity usage in near real time, recording data in 5–30-minute intervals. This data is sent to your electricity provider via telecommunications networks. This is unlike old digital or dial meters where a meter reader is required to attend to the meter in-person to record the data.

When will I get a smart meter?

Your electricity provider is responsible for installing your smart meter by the AEMC’s deadline of 2030. Since 2017, smart meters have been installed for new meter connections or when replacing old or faulty meters. However, the accelerated smart meter rollout has begun in Queensland and your electricity provider may now replace your current meter regardless of its age.

Your provider must give you between 4 to 60 business days’ notice of their intention to replace your meter with a smart meter.

How will a smart meter affect my bill?

Because a smart meter is consistently tracking electricity usage, you will be able to see a better break-down of your use. If you have solar power, you can monitor how much power you’re exporting. Some providers will have this data available through your online account or app within 24 to 48 hours of it being uploaded to the provider. You can use this data to make savings on your bill by seeing where you can reduce your electricity use.

This also means that smart meters provide more accurate bills. The need for in-person meter reads and estimated bills is reduced with a smart meter, which means you should receive less catch-up bills if you often received under-estimated bills.

Smart meters also give you access to different tariff structures such as time of use and demand tariffs. These types of tariffs will often charge you more for electricity if you use it during ‘peak’ or ‘demand’ times and less if you use it outside of these times. You can save money on these tariffs if you’re able to shift your electricity use to suit these times. However, if you’re unable to easily shift your electricity habits, your bill might end up costing you more under these tariff structures.

When receiving a smart meter, a provider might notify you that they’re moving you to a time of use or demand tariff structure. Previously customers were not able to opt-out of being moved to these tariffs, but in September 2024 an amendment was made to regulations and providers must now offer a plan that uses a single rate tariff structure to customers who have a smart meter. A single rate tariff charges you the same rate for electricity no matter what time of day you use it. You may have to contact your provider to make sure they keep you on a flat rate tariff.

If you’ve received notification that you’re having a smart meter installed, it’s a good idea to explore and compare all the plans and tariff structures available to you to make sure you’re on the best one for your needs. You can read more about tariffs at Finding the right electricity tariff for you. If you want to compare plans from other energy providers, you can use Energy Made Easy. It’s run by the Australian Government and compares plans offered by all electricity providers in south-east Queensland.

Can I opt-out of getting a smart meter?

Under current energy rules you can opt-out of having a smart meter installed if there’s nothing wrong with your current meter. However, once your current meter becomes faulty or reaches its end of life, it will be replaced with a smart meter. However, from 1 June 2025 the option to opt-out will be no longer be available.

What do I do if I have an issue with a smart meter?

If you have any issues with your smart meter, or the installation of a smart meter, you should contact your provider. If you’re unable to resolve the issue with your provider, you can contact us. EWOQ offers a free, fair and independent dispute resolution service. You can make a complaint online or call us on 1800 662 837.