Moving house? Here's how to set up electricity at your new home

How electricity connection works in Australia

Australia's electricity system has two layers, and understanding them makes the connection process much clearer. The first layer is your distributor (also called a DNSP — distribution network service provider). This is the company that owns the poles, wires, and infrastructure that deliver electricity to your property. You don't choose your distributor — it's determined by your address.

The second layer is your energy retailer. This is the company you buy electricity from — the one that sends your bill. In most states, you can choose any licensed retailer, and switching between them is free. Retailers compete on price, so comparing plans is how you find the best deal for your household.

The key point: you can organise both your connection and your plan choice through a comparison service in one step. The retailer you select will notify your distributor and handle the connection on your behalf. You don't need to contact the distributor directly.

How far in advance should you organise electricity?

How long connection takes depends on the type of property you're moving into. Here's a quick guide to typical timeframes:

Most people moving into an existing rental or established home only need 1–3 business days, so even last-minute is manageable. That said, don't cut it too fine — especially if you're moving on a Monday, since connections are processed on business days. Aim to organise your electricity at least 3 business days before your move-in date to avoid any disruption.

How to set up electricity when moving house — step by step

1. 1

   Confirm your move-in date and new address

   You'll need the full street address and postcode of your new property to compare plans. Have your move-in date ready — most retailers ask for this when you sign up so they can coordinate the connection with your distributor.

2. 2

   Check if the property has an existing connection

   Ask your real estate agent or landlord whether the property already has an active electricity meter. Most established homes do. If it's a new build or the meter has been removed, you may need a new connection, which takes longer.

3. 3

   Compare electricity plans at your new postcode

   Rates vary significantly between distributor zones, so always compare using your actual new address. Even within the same city, different postcodes can fall under different distributors with different network charges.

4. 4

   Select a plan and nominate your move-in date

   Once you've chosen a plan, the retailer notifies your distributor and handles the connection on your behalf. You don't need to contact the distributor separately — the retailer coordinates everything.

5. 5

   Keep your old address connected until move-out day

   Don't cancel your electricity too early. Billing at your old address should stop on or after you hand back the keys. Contact your current retailer with your move-out date so they can issue a final bill.

6. 6

   Read the meter on move-in day

   Take a photo of the meter with a timestamp on the day you move in. This protects you against any billing dispute from the previous occupant and gives you a clear record of your starting usage.

Electricity connection by state

Can I switch providers and connect at the same time?

Yes — and this is the smartest thing you can do at move-in. When you move into a new property without actively choosing a plan, you may end up on a default market offer. These default offers are typically more expensive than the best plans available at your address.

Using a comparison service at move-in means you start on the right plan from day one, rather than overpaying for a quarter before getting around to switching. There's no downside: if you change your mind, there's a 10 business day cooling-off period during which you can cancel with no penalty.

Switching is not a physical process — no technician needs to visit your property. It's an account change handled between the retailers and the market operator. Your electricity supply is not interrupted at any point during the switch.

Compare plans at your new address →

What about gas?

Not all properties have gas — it depends on whether your street has gas infrastructure. If your new property does have gas, the setup process mirrors electricity: choose a retailer, nominate your move-in date, and the retailer organises the connection with the gas distributor.

Some energy retailers offer bundled electricity and gas plans, which can simplify billing and may offer a small discount. It's worth comparing bundled options alongside standalone plans to see which approach is cheaper overall.

Gas connection lead times for existing connections are similar to electricity — typically 1–3 business days. Compare gas plans.

Setting up electricity when moving house is straightforward and takes just a few minutes to organise. By using a comparison service at move-in, you start on the best plan available at your new address rather than being placed on an expensive default offer. It's one of the easiest ways to avoid overpaying from day one.