Meters are used to measure how much gas or electricity is being used at your property. There are many different types of meters that can be used to record and display your usage. Each meter records and displays the information differently. If you live in an apartment or a high-density area, you may not be able to access your meter.

Electricity meters

How to read your electricity meter

If you want to access your meter to either check the meter number or to take your own meter reading, please be aware of the potential for hazards with some electricity meters. Although meters and the boxes that some meters are housed in, are designed to be very safe pieces of equipment, they can deteriorate over time. Look for damage done by water or animals, exposed wires and burnt or melted parts. If you see anything that’s potentially hazardous, please don’t touch it or attempt to fix it. Instead, please contact us.

All electricity meters have a unique meter number. Your meter number is unique to the electricity meter at your premises. Every electricity meter also has an NMI (National Meter Identifier, which is used by the meter service provider to identify the meter). You can also find your NMI on page 3 of your bill. 

Clock face electricity meters

A clock face meter has several small clock faces. To conduct a reading, note the numbers from each clock, from left to right. If a pointer is between 2 numbers, note the lower number. When the pointer is between 0 and 9, read 9.

The additional dial labelled 1/10 is not used to calculate your meter reading, so you can ignore this.

Your usage for the period is calculated by subtracting the meter reading from your last bill from the reading you obtained from the meter.

Electricity meter - Clock face

Electricity meter reading: 61714

Electronic electricity meters

To read your meter press the ‘display’ button which will display the reading options – the meter may scroll through a series of displays. As the meter scrolls, note each of the readings.

Electricity meter - Electronic display

Electricity meter reading: 27698

Smart meters

Smart meters (also known as interval meters) record usage in 15 or 30-minute intervals. These meters cannot be read manually, only the meter service provider can download the data. Most smart meters are read remotely and the data is sent to the meter service provider daily.

If you would like to see your usage history you can view user-friendly usage charts by logging into My Account or you can request your usage data in a regulated table format. My Account, depending on the type of meter installed at your property, allows you to view your usage on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and, where sufficient usage history exists, annual basis. All usage data is available to view within 72 hours of consumption.

Gas meters

The type of gas meter you have will depend on:

  • The gas pressure available in your area.
  • The type of regulator located on your gas meter.

All gas meters have a meter number, which matches the meter number on your bill. Each meter also has a MIRN (Meter Installation Registration Number) or a DPI (Delivery Point Identifier). These numbers are assigned to each address and are used by the meter service provider to identify your property.

  • Victorian gas meter numbers usually have four numbers and two letters e.g. 1234AB
  • South Australian gas meter numbers usually have eight numbers e.g. 12345678
  • New South Wales gas meter numbers usually have two letters and six numbers e.g AB123456

How to read your gas meter

Gas meters display usage in either metric or imperial units.

 

Metric gas meters

Metric gas meters measure usage in cubic metres. “Cubic metres” or “M³” will be displayed.

A reading is done from left to right. The black and white digits should be read. If you see red numbers on your meter, ignore them as they are for testing.

Gas meter - Metric

Gas meter reading: 17246

Imperial gas meters

Imperial gas meters measure usage in “cubic feet” which will appear on the meter’s clock face, this is then converted to cubic meters.

A reading is done by noting the numbers from each clock, from left to right. If the pointer is between 2 numbers, note the lower number. When the pointer is between 0 and 9, read 9.

The additional dials labelled ½ and 2 are not used to calculate your meter reading, so you can ignore these.

Gas meter - Imperial

Gas meter reading: 3,392,000

Submitting your own meter reading

If your meter is not a smart meter, you can submit your own electricity or gas meter reading if you have received an estimated bill.

If you’ve received multiple estimated bills, please contact us so that we can organise a suitable time for your meter to be read. Your meter should be read at least once every 12 months to ensure that you only pay for the energy you use.