Summary
In most of Australia you choose an energy retailer, and your retailer arranges the connection – you give them your new address and move-in date, and they ask the local distributor to switch on supply; retail choice varies by state, and Western Australia, the Northern Territory and regional Queensland have limited or no choice
If you move in and use energy without choosing a plan, you may be put on a standing offer – the Australian Energy Regulator says a standing offer is the default plan a retailer must provide if you have not chosen another, and the ACCC says standing offers are usually more expensive than market offers, although they come with more consumer protections
Internet is ordered through a provider, and the type of nbn connection depends on your address – check your address first, because the connection type affects the speeds you can order and whether a technician needs to visit
A simple timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | Confirm your move-in date. Check whether the property has gas, and which nbn connection the address has |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Compare energy plans for your new address. Tell your current retailer you are moving out. Book electricity, gas and internet to start on your move-in date |
| 1 week before | Confirm connection dates in writing. Tell your retailer about any medical equipment that needs power. Gather ID and payment details |
| Moving day | Photograph the electricity and gas meters. Plug in your modem if your internet is already active |
| First week | Compare your first bill with your meter photos. Test your internet connection |
How connecting works in Australia
You do not deal with the meter directly. Your retailer signs you up and arranges the connection with the distributor, which owns the poles and wires and physically energises your meter.
This matters in two ways. You need to contact a retailer, not the distributor, to get connected. And some fees, such as connection or reconnection fees, are charged by the distributor and vary by area.
Step 1: Find out if you can choose your retailer
| Where you are | Retail choice | Where to compare |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales, ACT, South Australia, Tasmania, South-East Queensland | Yes | Energy Made Easy (energymadeeasy.gov.au) |
| Victoria | Yes | Victorian Energy Compare |
| Regional Queensland | Limited or none | Check with your local provider |
| Western Australia | No choice for households. Synergy supplies Perth and the south-west, and Horizon Power supplies regional areas | Economic Regulation Authority (WA) |
| Northern Territory | No choice of electricity retailer | Power and Water |
If you are in Western Australia or the Northern Territory, there is no plan to shop around for. You contact the provider for your area and arrange the date.
Always compare using your new address. Prices differ by distribution area, so the plan that suited your old home may not be available or cost the same at the new one.
Step 2: Understand standing offers and market offers
This matters for new arrivals because it is the most common way people end up paying more than they need to.
- A market offer is a competitive plan designed by a retailer, often with different prices, discounts or features.
- A standing offer is the default plan a retailer must provide if you have not chosen another. You may be on one if you moved into a property and were supplied by the existing retailer before you made contact.
The ACCC describes standing offers as a safety net, usually more expensive than market offers but with more consumer protections. The Default Market Offer (set by the AER for NSW, South Australia and South-East Queensland) and the Victorian Default Offer cap what retailers can charge on standing offers, but a cap is not the lowest price available.
In Western Australia, if you use energy without a contract, you are treated as supplied under the standard contract of the retailer assigned to your property.
What to do: Choose a plan before you move in, so you start on a plan you picked. If you are already on a standing offer, ask your retailer which contract you are on and compare it on Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare.
Step 3: Gather what you need
- Your new address and move-in date
- Photo ID
- Your current retailer’s details, if you are moving within Australia
- Payment details for the new account
- Details of any concession you hold
If you have just arrived and have no Australian history, ask the retailer what ID and information they need, and whether they require anything extra to open an account. If you plan to pay by direct debit, you may need an Australian bank account first. See our guide to opening a bank account as a migrant.
Step 4: Book, and allow enough time
- Electricity: In Victoria, the Essential Services Commission says power will usually be reconnected within one business day of asking a retailer to connect it. Some retailers ask for at least two business days’ notice, so book earlier where you can.
- Business days only: Connections are generally made on business days, so weekends and public holidays can add time.
- Fees: Ask about connection or reconnection fees charged by the distributor.
- New builds: Energy Made Easy says it can take a few months to get gas and electricity switched on at a newly built property. Contact a retailer as soon as you have a settlement or handover date.
- Tell your current retailer you are moving. If you do not, you may have to pay for energy used at your old address after you leave.
Renting
Under a standard residential lease, it is usually up to you to sign up with a gas and electricity retailer. Check your lease and ask your property manager which services are connected.
Medical equipment
If anyone in your household relies on life support equipment or medical equipment that needs power, tell your retailer as early as possible so it can be recorded on your account.
Gas
Not every home has gas. If yours does, the process mirrors electricity: choose a retailer, give your move-in date and the retailer arranges the connection with the gas distributor. You can often get electricity and gas from one retailer, but you do not have to. Gas can take a little longer to connect than electricity, so book it early.
Internet in Australia (nbn)
- Check your address on the nbn Co address checker (nbn.com.au/checkyouraddress). It shows whether the address can connect and which type of connection is available.
- Know your connection type. There are seven types: fibre to the premises, fibre to the node, fibre to the curb, fibre to the building, hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC), fixed wireless and satellite. nbn Co decides which applies to your address.
- Order a plan with an internet provider. You can usually choose a connection date to match your move-in date. Plans are sold by speed tier, and what you can order depends on your connection type.
- Allow for installation. If equipment already exists at the property, activation can be quick. If it does not, your provider arranges an approved installer, and fixed wireless and satellite installations can take longer. Someone may need to be home.
- Sort out your modem. Ask your provider whether it sends one or whether you need your own.
- Move or cancel your old service so you do not pay for two.
Typical evening speeds are usually lower than a plan’s headline speed. Where nbn is not available or practical, some providers offer home wireless plans, so ask about options for your address.
Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Moving in without choosing a plan | You may land on a standing offer. Compare and choose first |
| Comparing plans for the wrong address | Always use your new address |
| Forgetting to tell your old retailer | You may pay for energy used after you leave |
| Booking at the last minute | Book two to four weeks ahead, and months ahead for a new build |
| Not checking nbn availability | Use the address checker before you sign a contract |
| Skipping meter photos | Photos let you check your first bill |
| Ignoring contract end dates | Set a reminder to compare again |
Reading your first bill
- Check the meter readings against your photos.
- Look at the supply charge, a fixed daily amount, and the usage charge, which depends on how much you use.
- Check whether the bill is estimated or based on an actual reading.
- Look at any discounts and their conditions.
- Note when your plan or benefit period ends.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
How early should I set up power before moving to Australia?
Two to four weeks is a good guide. Electricity can often be connected within a few business days, but new builds, meter checks and technician visits can take much longer.
Can I choose my electricity retailer anywhere in Australia?
No. Most of the eastern states and territories allow it, but households in Western Australia and the Northern Territory have no choice, and regional Queensland has limited or no choice.
What is a standing offer?
The default plan a retailer must provide if you have not chosen another. It is usually more expensive than a market offer but has more consumer protections.
Who connects my electricity: the retailer or the network?
Your retailer arranges the connection, and the distributor physically switches on the meter.
How do I know which nbn connection I will get?
Use the nbn Co address checker. nbn Co decides the connection type based on your address.
Do I need a technician for the nbn?
Not always. If the equipment already exists at the property, activation can be quick. If it does not, your provider arranges an approved installer.
Do I have to use the same company for electricity and gas?
No. Many people do for simplicity, but you can use separate providers.
Important information
This article is general information only. It is not financial, energy or legal advice, and it does not take into account your circumstances. Processes, timeframes, fees and the retailers available vary by state, territory and property, and can change. Always check with your chosen retailer, distributor or internet provider, and use the official comparison tools, before you commit. OrbitRemit does not recommend any energy or internet provider.
Related guides
- Guide to moving to Australia
- How to open a bank account in Australia as a migrant
- What is a TFN in Australia?
- Medicare for migrants in Australia
- Setting up power, gas and internet when you move to New Zealand
Settling in often means sending money to family overseas as well. OrbitRemit sends money from Australia to over 50 countries. Check current rates at orbitremit.com.
Last updated November 2026.
Sources: Australian Energy Regulator, The Default Market Offer | ACCC, Electricity prices and plans | Energy Made Easy, Moving house or business | Essential Services Commission (Victoria), Getting electricity connected when moving into a property | Economic Regulation Authority Western Australia, Contracts | energy.gov.au, Electricity pricing plans and tariffs | nbn Co, Moving home | Department of Infrastructure, Connecting to the nbn | EnergyAustralia, Moving house | Finder, Moving house utilities
