Advanced Interval Metering Roll-out

In early 2006, the Victorian Government formally endorsed the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to all Victorian electricity consumers taking supply of less than 160 MWh per annum. 

An amendment to the Electricity Industry Act 2000 was passed by the Victorian Parliament in August 2006, providing the Government with legislative heads of power to make Orders-in-Council establishing a range of requirements for the deployment of AMI, including functionalities and a framework for the regulated recovery of costs associated with installation and ongoing operation.

The AMI project effectively broadens an earlier decision by the Essential Services Commission (ESC) to roll out manually read interval meters across Victoria, by adding two-way communications capabilities to enable remote reading, remote connection and other functionalities.

The rollout of Smart Meters will commence September 1st 2009 through to 2013.

What are the advantages of Smart Meters?

Smart meter technology will allow the development of smarter electricity supply infrastructure, which will help customers better manage their energy use and broaden the community’s ability to respond to climate change. A smart meter has many capabilities that the old type electricity meters do not have. Smart meters will have the ability to:

• Record electricity consumption by the half hour;
• Be remotely read so a meter reader does not have to visit your home or business;
• Provide greater detail around consumption;
• Enable remote connection of your electricity, such as when you move into a new home;
• Help your local electricity distributor to detect and locate outages and restore supply more quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does It Look Like?

The new Smart Meter is similar in size to your existing meter, only the Smart Meter is digital, and does not have dials like the traditional meter. In some situations, there will be a small external antenna connected to the Meter and attached to the outside of the Meter Box. This is required in some areas to ensure that the information can be sent via the telecommunications network.

What are the cost savings and environmental benefits of a Smart Meter?

Smart Meters allow customers to better manage their energy consumption through greater visibility of usage patterns and by adopting Time-of-Use tariffs. This helps customers to reduce their energy consumption and become more energy efficient. When products to support this are offered, your retailer (the company you receive your bill from) will be able to assist you.

What is a Time-of-Use (TOU) Tariff?

This is a pricing structure that changes depending on the time of the day the customer is consuming power. In high demand periods (peak), charges will be higher than consumption during lower demand periods (off-peak).

How and when will Time-Of-Use (TOU) tariffs affect me?

After your smart meter is installed you may be offered a TOU tariff. This means the price of electricity per kWh will vary depending on when you use it. Depending how and when you use electricity you may pay more or less or see very little difference. Retailers may have different products or TOU tariffs, which will become available over time giving you an opportunity to find the one that best suits you.

Will I have to pay the installer for the smart meter to be installed?

No. The customer does not pay the smart meter installer for the smart meter installation.

Who is going to install the smart meters?

Your local electricity distributor, or a suitably qualified meter installer appointed by them, will be installing your smart meter. Meter installers will have photo ID stating that the person is a contractor representing your electricity distributor.

Is my usage information secure and will it remain confidential?

Yes, Victoria's electricity distributors have developed their systems to ensure that smart meters and associated communication networks are equipped with security features to prevent unauthorised access. Access to data will be restricted, and compliance with the Privacy Act and National Privacy principles including security processes and staff security checks are mandatory.

More Information

For questions regarding products, services and billing, please contact your electricity retailer (the company you receive your electricity bill from).

For further information about function and service levels, please go to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Smart Meter Page.

For further information about the cost review process, please go to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) AMI Page.