Overview
Australia’s electricity market is undergoing a major upgrade, with a goal of replacing all legacy electricity meters with smart meters by 2030. This transformation is being driven by the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) Accelerating Smart Meter Deployment (ASMD) reforms. These changes are designed to modernise the National Electricity Market (NEM), improve energy efficiency, and provide consumers with greater access to energy usage data.
What Is a Smart Meter?
Smart meters are digital devices that automatically record your electricity usage at frequent intervals and communicate this data directly to your energy provider. They replace older accumulation or interval meters and allow two-way communication between your property and the electricity grid.
Key Features:
- Access to detailed interval usage data
- No more manual meter reads
- Faster fault detection and remote troubleshooting
- Greater access to flexible energy plans and solar optimization
Who Is Affected?
The smart meter rollout applies to:
- Residential customers
- Small to medium businesses
- Properties located in NSW, ACT, QLD, and SA (excludes Victoria, where a separate rollout has already occurred)
Customers with older meters will be contacted as part of the scheduled upgrade process. If you already have a smart meter, no action is required.
Rollout Timeline Under the LMRP
The Legacy Meter Replacement Program (LMRP) sets out milestones for national smart meter deployment:
| July 1, 2025 | Accelerated rollout begins—retailers start replacing meters proactively |
| December 1, 2025 | New rules apply for installation processes and defect resolution |
| July 1, 2026 | Retailers begin replacing all remaining legacy meters |
| November 30, 2030 | All basic and non-compliant meters must be replaced |
Installation: What To Expect
- Advance Notification: CovaU (or our metering provider) will contact you before the installation.
- Scheduling: An appointment will be proposed, typically within a few weeks
- Brief Power Interruption: Installation may take 30 minutes to 2 hours, during which power will be temporarily shut off.
- Post-Installation: Your new smart meter will begin recording data automatically—no action needed on your part.
Cost and Fees
There are no upfront costs if your meter is being replaced as part of the national ASMD rollout.
Fees may apply if you request a meter upgrade outside of the scheduled rollout or require additional electrical work (e.g. switchboard upgrades, asbestos removal).
See Meter Exchange – Fees and Charges for more information.
Preparing for Your Smart Meter
Check your current meter: If it’s a basic meter that’s read manually, you’ll likely be included in the rollout.
Plan for short downtime: Notify household members or staff ahead of the scheduled installation.
Explore new plan options: After your upgrade, you may become eligible for flexible or time-of-use tariffs that better suit your energy usage habits.
More Information:
