The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is advocating for the widespread installation of smart electricity meters in households in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Queensland and South Australia by 2030. The AEMC believe this initiative would lead to reduced energy bills and greater adaptability to the growing influx of renewable energy into the grid. A mandatory rollout should commence in 2025. This change would result in lower average bills for customers, as retailers could better manage electricity demand during expensive peak periods, reducing the risk of grid shortages.
Less than 25% of customers have currently adopted smart meters in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Queensland and South Australia, with around 10% of houses needing wiring upgrades to accommodate the technology. These jurisdictions are expected to achieve universal penetration by around 2040, if no changes are made to the current framework. Victoria has already reached a near-universal take up of smart meters. Tasmania has an acceleration program in place with a 2026 target and the Northern Territory (NT) has its own regulatory arrangements for metering.