Connecting Electricity, Gas, and Internet When You Move In

When you move into a new home in Australia, electricity and internet don’t simply switch on for you — you have to register with a provider yourself and put the account in your name. Do this well before move-in day so you don’t walk into a home with no power.

Electricity

An open electricity market: In most Australian states (NSW, VIC, SA, QLD, ACT), you can choose your electricity provider from a number of competing companies. In some other states and territories (WA, NT, TAS), the market may be less competitive.

How to connect:

1. Ask the property manager or landlord which provider currently supplies the property (for reference — you are not obliged to use the same provider)
2. Compare providers and plans at energymadeeasy.gov.au — an unbiased government website
3. Sign up online or by phone with the provider you choose
4. Give your home address, your start date, and your payment details

It usually takes 1–3 business days to connect. If you’re moving in on a Friday or before a public holiday, sign up at least a week ahead.

Read the meter: When you move into a new home, photograph the electricity meter reading on the very first day — to avoid being charged for the previous tenant’s usage.

Gas

Not every home has gas: Newly built homes are often all-electric. Many older homes still use gas for cooking, heating, and hot water. Check whether the home you’re renting has gas.

If there is gas: It works like electricity — sign up with the gas provider you choose, comparing through energymadeeasy.gov.au. Many providers supply both electricity and gas, and often offer a discount when you bundle the two.

No gas needed: If the home you’re renting is all-electric, you don’t need to worry about gas.

Internet / NBN

What the NBN is: The National Broadband Network is Australia’s national internet infrastructure. Most addresses in Australia can connect to the NBN. Many providers (ISPs) sell internet plans that run over the NBN.

How to sign up for internet:

1. Check whether your address has NBN yet at nbnco.com.au (look up “Check my address”)
2. Choose a provider and plan: Telstra, Optus, TPG, Aussie Broadband, iiNet, and many others. Compare using sites like Finder or WhistleOut
3. Sign up online — you usually need your address, your preferred connection date, and your payment details
4. A technician may need to come and install (depending on the connection type), or you may set up the modem/router yourself

Note: If your address doesn’t have NBN yet (a far outer-suburban area or a newly built home), ask the provider about connection times — it may take a few weeks.

Lead time: Book at least 1–2 weeks before you move in. Some providers connect within a few days; others take longer if a technician is needed.

Water

You don’t choose a water provider the way you do for electricity — the water bill is sent by the state water authority directly to the home address or via the landlord. In many tenancy agreements, the landlord pays the basic water bill and only charges you for usage above a set level — check your lease.

You usually don’t need to register for water separately — it is automatically linked to the home address.

When you move out

When you leave a home, tell your electricity/gas provider the date you’re moving out and give your new address (or close the account). Photograph the meter reading on your final day — to avoid being charged for electricity or gas after you’ve gone.

If you’re moving to a new address within Australia, many providers let you transfer the account instead of closing it and signing up again.