Your basic meter
Homes and small businesses will transition to smart meters by 2030. During this transition, we will continue to provide services to customers with basic meters as outlined here.
What is changing?
National metering reforms will see all homes and small businesses upgraded to smart meters by 2030.
Smart meters provide you with more detailed information about your energy usage, help you better understand and manage your power bills and offer access to a wider range of retail plans to suit your needs.
They are a crucial step in modernising our energy system, enabling a transition to a more efficient and flexible energy grid which support your adoption of rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles.
With smart meters, you’ll also receive more accurate data on your energy consumption, helping you make informed decisions and fully harness the benefits of renewable energy.
Responsibilities for metering services
Your electricity retailer - the company that sends your power bill - will coordinate the installation of your smart meter.
They will reach out to inform you about your upgrade, including the scheduled date and time for the installation, as well as any changes to your retail tariffs once the new meter is in place.
We will continue to support services for basic meters during this transition. The table below shows who is responsible for metering services to smart and basic meters during the transitional period.
| Endeavour Energy | Your retailer | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation of smart meters | No | Yes |
| Reading smart meters | No | Yes |
| Reading basic meters | Yes | No |
| Testing smart meters | No | Yes |
| Testing basic meters | Yes | No |
| Replacing faulty smart meters | No | Yes |
| Replacing faulty basic meters | No | Yes |
| Upgrading meters e.g. for solar | No | Yes |
Preparing for your basic meter reading
Our meter readers carry clear personal identification and are happy to show it upon request. To minimise disruption and ensure their visit is as efficient as possible, we kindly ask that you:
- keep the area around your meter clean and free from debris, household items, or obstacles
- secure or restrain pets away from the meter
- unlock any gates that may block access to your meter, and avoid using private locks
- trim or remove any plants or shrubs that obstruct access to your meter
- ensure there are no spiders, wasps or other insects around the meter.
If we’re unable to access your meter, we’ll provide an estimated reading to your retailer. Estimates are based on historical metering data at that property for the same period in the previous year.
If access to your meter is difficult, please contact your electricity retailer. They can assist you with alternative metering options that don’t require us to enter your property.
Ensuring the safety of meter readers
Energy laws require you to provide safe and unhindered access to your electricity meter. This includes you taking appropriate measures to prevent our meter readers being attacked by dogs or other animals inside your property.
With over 50,000 properties in our network area flagged for having dogs onsite, we have implemented strict procedures to keep our team members safe.
If a dog is present or flagged in our system, our meter readers and field officers will not enter your property. Instead, we will provide an estimated meter reading for that quarter. You can help by:
- keeping dogs restrained or in a separate yard during meter readings
- informing us if a dog is no longer at your property, so we can read the data on you meter.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Securing your meter
If you wish to secure your property or switchboard, utility locks are available for you to purchase. These affordable locks offer a secure way to protect your electricity meter while still allowing us and other utilities access when necessary.
Utility locks provide a cost-effective alternative to relocating meters and come in a range of options for various purposes including securing meter boxes, entry gates, building entrances, metering rooms, and enclosures.
We have partnered with Integrity Locksmiths to offer approved utility locks for you to purchase. For more information, please contact them on 1300 366 488 or visit their website at www.integritysecurity.com.au.
Alternatively, if you prefer not to purchase a lock, you can provide us with the combination to your own lock. We will keep this information confidential in line with our privacy policy.