Smart meters

On the day, the meter replacement usually takes between 2 and 6 hours. The electricity supply will be interrupted for a part of that, usually for up to 2 hours. We'll be in contact with you before your meter exchange.

Some meter boards are shared, like in apartment buildings. When that happens, generally all the meters are replaced at the same time. Sometimes it can take more than one day.

If you get a smart meter as part of the Accelerated Smart Meter Rollout, you won't have to pay anything upfront or any exit fees. We’ll cover the cost of upgrading basic meters, if there are any issues with completing this upgrade we'll let you know. If the meter is requested by the customer, Origin may charge the metering installation fee. For more details visit our meter fees and charges page . If there are any onsite issues, it’s the customer’s responsibility to arrange and pay for any repairs.

If there’s clear and safe access to your meter and switchboard, you don’t need to be home.

You’ll need to be home at the scheduled time if :

If you are the account holder with Origin, you don't need your landlord's consent.

Yes, all meters installed in new properties will need to be smart meters.

Sometimes a meter replacement can't go ahead. This is because there is something at your property that needs to be fixed. If this happens, a technician may leave a defect notice at your home or business. You can also contact us and we can explain what needs to be done. These issues could be things like:

You may not need to fix the issue, but it must be resolved before a smart meter can be installed. Some fixes can take time and may involve costs. We recommend contacting a licensed electrician as soon as possible. If you’re a tenant and can’t arrange the work yourself, let your rental agent or rental provider know what's going on.

Small businesses will have their basic meters replaced with smart meters. Large sites need different types of meters, which come with their own timeframes.