Australia smart meter rollout: the 2030 universal target

The rule

On 28 November 2024 the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) made the Accelerating Smart Meter Deployment rule (reference ERC0378), amending both the National Electricity Rules and the National Energy Retail Rules. The rule change was requested by Intellihub, SA Power Networks and Alinta Energy.

The AEMC describes "two core reforms plus a set of four supporting reforms that together pave the way for universal uptake of smart meters by 2030." The two core reforms are the accelerated replacement of legacy meters and new customer safeguards.

Which meters must go

Retailers and metering coordinators (MCs) must replace all existing type 5 and type 6 metering installations, which the rule calls legacy meters, with a type 4 smart meter. Type 5 meters that can already be read remotely are excluded, so working Victorian interval meters are not replaced early.

The AEMC found that 2030 is "the earliest feasible target date", and that delaying past 2030 would reduce benefits by more than it saved in capital costs.

How the replacement is planned

Distribution network service providers (DNSPs) draw up a Legacy Meter Replacement Plan (LMRP) with retailers, MCs and other stakeholders, showing which legacy meters will be replaced, and when. The AEMC asks DNSPs to consider grouping installations to keep costs down.

Retailers must use best endeavours to meet each interim target and must meet the final 2030 target, unless they can justify the shortfall. A retailer that cannot replace a meter as planned can report the reasons to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

Customer safeguards

• No upfront charges. Retailers cannot charge small customers upfront costs or exit fees for a smart meter replacement under the program.
• Two years before a tariff change. For two years after the upgrade, a retailer cannot move the customer to a new tariff without explicit informed consent. After that, retailers must provide bill comparisons, as ESD News reported.

Where it applies

The rule covers the National Electricity Market. The AEMC's cost-benefit analysis excluded Victoria and Tasmania. Victoria had already completed a universal rollout, and Tasmania had started its own accelerated program. The analysis found net benefits overall and for each jurisdiction, including under higher meter cost scenarios.

What this means for field teams

The LMRP turns the Australian rollout into a scheduled, area-by-area program. The AEMC's case rests partly on "economies of scale from installing meters by geographical area." For installers that means dense daily routes and a fixed deadline.

The AEMC acknowledges one big barrier: site remediation. Some sites have defects that must be fixed before a meter can be installed, and remediation is the customer's responsibility. Each failed attempt needs a clear record of the defect, with photos, so it can be reported and rescheduled. That record is also what a retailer needs if it has to justify missing a target to the AER.

PIEBENCH handles both sides on an offline Android app: smart meter installation jobs with serials, photos and GPS, and failed-visit outcomes routed back for follow-up, with installation verification before work is reported. Plans start at $199/month.

How to read this page

We have not yet found an official national series of smart meter counts for Australia like the ones Great Britain and the United States publish. This page tracks the rule and its dates. We will add installation figures when an official series is available.

For other countries, see the smart meter rollout tracker.