Smart Meter Rollout project

Questions and Answers

Why is the Government initiating a smart meter rollout?
How are the costs of the smart meter being recovered?
How does the Victorian smart meter program align with a National Smart Metering Program?
What is the role of the Victorian Government in relation to smart meters?
What are the roles of the electricity distribution and electricity retailer businesses in relation to smart meters?
What is an electricity distribution business?
What is an electricity retailer?
Who is my electricity retailer?
Who is my electricity distribution business?


Why is the Victorian Government initiating a smart meter rollout?
The Victorian Government is working with the energy industry to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy future. The roll out of smart meters represents the biggest investment in energy infrastructure in Victoria since the establishment of the poles and wires network and supports an important part of the Government's future energy strategy.

Smart meters will help Victorians better manage their energy use and broaden the community’s ability to respond to climate change.

They are also a key step in the development of smart electricity grids, which we need to better manage energy flows as more and more intermittent and geographically dispersed renewable energy comes on stream.

How are the costs of the smart meter being recovered?
In the same way you pay for your current meter and electricity infrastructure (electricity poles and wires), the costs of the smart metering system will be recovered through your electricity bill over a number of years.

How does the Victorian smart meter program align with a National Smart Metering Program?
The Victorian Government is working to align the State program and the National Smart Metering Program. For more information on the National Program go to www.ret.gov.au (external link). The Victorian and National Smart Meter Programs are working towards ensuring the same functionality for smart meters in order to maximise the benefits for all stakeholders.

What is the role of the Victorian Government in relation to smart meters?
The roll-out of our new advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a collaborative project involving governments, electricity businesses, and consumer groups.

The Victorian Government has legislated for the rollout of smart meters, which will be carried out by Victoria’s electricity distribution businesses. Through this legislative Order-in-Council, the Victorian Government has established a range of requirements for the smart meters project in Victoria including functionalities, performance and service levels, as well as a framework to determine which project costs distribution businesses can appropriately claim back from customers, with approval from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

For more information go to the Role of Government

What are the roles of the electricity distribution and electricity retailer businesses in relation to smart meters?
Your electricity distribution business is responsible for installing your new smart meter.

Your electricity retailer is responsible for billing you for your energy consumption. They will also be responsible for offering you a time of use tariff, once these become available.

What is an electricity distribution business?
Victorian licensed electricity distribution businesses are responsible for transporting electricity to most homes and businesses across the state. In Victoria, there are five different electricity distribution businesses - SP AusNet, Powercor, CitiPower, Jemena Electricity Network and United Energy Distribution. Your electricity distributor depends on where you live - you are unable to select a different distributor.

What is an electricity retailer?
Electricity retailers sell electricity to customers across Victoria. They will bill you and generally manage your relationship with the rest of the electricity industry on your behalf. You are able to select your preferred electricity retailer, regardless of where you live. For more information go to www.yourchoice.com.au (external link) or call 1300 134 575.

Who is my electricity retailer?
This is the business that you have chosen to buy your electricity from. To check the name and contact details of your retailer refer to your last electricity bill.

Who is my electricity distribution business?
In Victoria, there are five different electricity distributors:

• Powercor is the electricity distributor for western Victoria
• SP AusNet is the electricity distributor for eastern Victoria
• Jemena is the electricity distributor for northern metropolitan Melbourne
• United Energy is the electricity distributor for south east metropolitan Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula
• CitiPower is the electricity distributor for the Melbourne CBD and inner city suburbs