Legacy Meter Replacement Program
What is the Legacy Meter Replacement Program?
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released a final rule in November 2024 for delivery of an efficient rollout of smart meters to all customers by 2030.
As your electricity retailer, it is our responsibility to arrange the installation of a new smart meter with remote communication capability.
Learn about your rights as a consumer during the smart meter rollout at the Australian Energy Regulator’s website.
Who are Bluecurrent?
They are our accredited metering partner and will install the new smart meter. They will contact you about the installation date in the next few months.
Am I able to opt-out of the program and not have a smart meter installed?
No, you are unable to opt out of the smart meter installation. However, you can request to have the remote communication capabilities disabled by contacting us at any time.
If you choose to have the meter’s remote communication capabilities disabled, your meter will need to be manually read each quarter, and a manual meter read fee may be passed-though to you. You will also lose access to many of the benefits of a smart meter such as real-time usage data.
If I don’t own the property, do I need permission for the smart meter installation?
No, you don’t need the property owner’s permission—smart meters are owned by the network or metering provider.
It’s still a good idea to let your landlord, owner or property manager know about the installation.
Will it cost me to install a smart meter as part of the Legacy Meter Replacement Program?
You will not be charged an upfront fee for the smart meter or its installation at your property. However, if any additional onsite work is required to install the meter, the costs of the additional work will be passed through to your electricity bill.
For example; fixing unsafe or exposed wiring, minor asbestos removal, fuse replacements and link installations. We will not know if additional onsite work is required until the technician is at your property on the installation day.
As a tenant, will I be charged for any extra work?
If extra work is needed to safely install your smart meter on the day - like fixing wiring or replacing old fuse boxes, we may pass this charge onto your electricity bill.
You should then ask your landlord or property manager to reimburse you, since these costs relate to the property’s infrastructure.
Do I need to be home when the smart meter is installed?
No, you do not need to be home when the smart meter is installed. However, you will need to ensure there is safe and clear access to your current meter and switchboard (for example, ensuring any pets are secured away from the meter). If someone will be there on the day to provide the technician clear and safe access, please make sure they are over 18.
What if there isn’t safe and clear access to the meter on the installation day?
Please contact us to discuss if there may be any access issues the technician needs to know about, for example, dogs, hazards, or a locked gate.
Can I ask for the smart meter installation date to be changed?
Yes. Once you have the installation date you can contact Bluecurrent on 1800 953 945 to reschedule.
What happens on the day of the smart meter installation?
The technician will arrive between 8AM and 5PM. They will need to turn your power off for approximately 60 minutes. If having the power off on the scheduled installation date is inconvenient, contact Bluecurrent on 1800 953 945 before the scheduled installation day.
Will my prices or retail tariff change when the smart meter is installed?
No. There will be no changes to your retail tariff structure or prices due to the smart meter installation, and your retail tariff structure won’t be changed without your explicit informed consent in the next two years.
Will my electricity bill increase?
The new smart meter will more precisely measure your usage. For this reason, your bill may go up or down very slightly even though your electricity prices won’t be changed.
I have Life Support equipment that requires constant electricity, will I still have a smart meter installed?
Yes. If any person who is residing or intending to reside at the premises that requires life support equipment, please call us immediately if you have not already let us know.
I’m in South Australia and have a switch to boost my hot water, will this change?
Yes. The boost switch will be removed when the smart meter is installed, and it will not be replaced.
How will you use the data you collect from the smart meter?
In line with our privacy policy, the data will be used to calculate your bill for the electricity consumed at your property and energy related services.
What if my property shares a connection point with other properties (also known as a shared fuse)?
If your property shares a connection point with other properties, the installation may require coordinated work across all properties with multiple technicians attending.
To ensure safety and accuracy, the power may be turned off for up to 8 hours while the meter is being replaced.
Your local distributor will confirm the exact timing and coordinate the outage across all affected properties. They’ll also notify you directly about the scheduled date and duration of the outage.
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