Your Complete Guide to Connecting Utilities When Moving in Australia
Moving house is a major project. While you’re focused on the logistics of boxes and trucks, a parallel track of critical admin is running: disconnecting and connecting your essential services. Get it right, and you’ll walk into a home with the lights on, hot water running, and internet ready to go. Get it wrong, and you could be facing delays, unexpected fees, and a very frustrating first night.
With over 180,000 Australians moving interstate each year, this process has become a complex landscape of direct providers, free connection services, and comparison sites all competing for your attention. This guide cuts through the noise. We’ll give you the framework to confidently manage your electricity, gas, water, and internet connections, so you can focus on what matters most—settling into your new home.
The Two Paths to Connection: Going Direct vs. Using a Service
When you start researching, you’ll find two main ways to organise your utilities: dealing directly with energy and internet providers, or using a third-party connection service. Neither is inherently better, but they suit different priorities.
The Convenience Play: Using a Connection Service
Services like MyConnect and Direct Connect offer a tempting proposition: one phone call or online form to arrange all your services. They act as an intermediary, contacting the providers on your behalf.
Why people choose them:
- Simplicity: You provide your details once, and they handle the legwork for multiple services. This dramatically reduces the administrative burden, addressing the core mover’s pain point of stress and complexity.
- It’s Usually Free: These services are typically free for you, as they earn a commission from the utility providers they partner with.
The trade-offs to consider:
- Limited Choice: While they partner with major retailers, they don’t represent the entire market. You might miss out on a smaller provider with a better rate or more suitable plan. For example, MyConnect is owned by Origin Energy, which can influence the options presented.
- Less Control: You’re adding a layer between you and the provider, which can sometimes complicate troubleshooting if issues arise. You’re trading deep comparison for speed.
The Control Play: Dealing Directly with Providers
Contacting providers like AGL, EnergyAustralia, or your chosen internet company yourself gives you maximum control over the process.
Why people choose this path:
- Full Market Access: You can use independent comparison sites like Canstar or GoSwitch to compare every available plan and find the absolute best deal for your usage habits. With 78% of movers prioritising affordability, this is a significant factor.
- Direct Communication: You have a direct line to the company that will be supplying your service, which can be valuable for clarifying technical details or resolving issues.
- Strong Incentives: Major providers often have compelling “Power On Guarantees.” AGL offers up to $500 per day for delays, while EnergyAustralia guarantees power on moving day or a $100 credit. These are powerful risk-reducers.
The trade-offs to consider:
- More Admin: You’ll need to contact each provider separately, which takes more time and organisation.
- Requires Research: To get the best deal, you need to do your own homework on plans, rates, and fees.
Our advice: If you’re short on time and comfortable with a good-enough deal from a major provider, a connection service is a great way to reduce stress. If you’re focused on finding the best possible price and are happy to manage the process yourself, going direct is the better option.
Your State-by-State Utility Blueprint: It’s Not the Same Everywhere
A common mistake is assuming the connection process in Perth is the same as in Sydney. While the principles are similar, the providers, distributors, and even the timelines can vary significantly between states.
For electricity and gas, you deal with two entities: the retailer (who you pay, like AGL or Origin) and the distributor (who owns the pipes and wires, like Ausgrid in Sydney or CitiPower in Melbourne). You only need to contact the retailer, but knowing your distributor is helpful if technical issues arise. Water, however, is almost always handled by a separate state or regional authority.
Before you do anything, confirm the providers and water authorities for your new address. This simple step avoids wasting time applying with a company that doesn’t service your area. If you’re undertaking a large relocation, a detailed plan is essential for a smooth transition. Our guide to planning your interstate move can help structure this process.
The Non-Negotiable Timeline: Your Master Connection Checklist
Timing is everything. Providers are not magicians; they need notice to schedule meter readings and connections. Leaving it to the last minute is the number one cause of being without power on moving day.
- 4 Weeks Out: Research and Decide.
- Compare electricity, gas, and internet providers.
- Decide if you’ll use a connection service or go direct.
- Read your current contracts to check for any early termination fees.
- 2-3 Weeks Out: Book Your Connections & Disconnections.
- Contact your chosen providers to schedule the connection at your new home for your move-in day.
- Contact your current providers to schedule the disconnection at your old home for the day after you move out. This gives you a buffer for cleaning.
- Crucial: For NBN internet at a new property or a home that’s been disconnected for a while, allow up to 4 weeks. It can take time to get a technician on-site. Standard electricity and gas connections typically need 2-5 business days notice.
- 1 Week Out: Confirm Everything.
- Call your new providers to confirm the connection date and time.
- Ensure there is clear access to the electricity and gas meters at both properties.
- Check that the main power switch at your new home is in the ‘off’ position. This is often required for the technician to safely connect the power.
- Moving Day: Check and Report.
- Once you arrive, check that your services are active.
- If something isn’t working, contact your provider immediately.
This timeline forms just one part of your overall moving plan. To keep everything organised, integrate these steps into a comprehensive moving checklist that covers everything from packing to mail redirection.
What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Even with perfect planning, issues can occur. The power isn’t on, the internet won’t connect, or you have no hot water. Don’t panic; follow a simple triage process.
- Check the Basics: Is the main power switch on? Are all the safety switches in the fuse box flipped on? For gas hot water, is the pilot light lit? For internet, have you tried restarting the modem?
- Isolate the Problem: Check if your neighbours have power. If they don’t, it’s likely a wider network outage. You can check your local distributor’s website for outage information.
- Contact Your Retailer: If the issue seems to be isolated to your property, your first call is to the retailer you signed up with. They will be able to check the status of your connection order and liaise with the distributor if a technician is required.
Having a plan B, like a fully charged power bank and mobile data, can be a lifesaver on that first night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What fees should I expect?
You may encounter connection fees from your new provider and potentially disconnection or “final meter read” fees from your old one. If you break a fixed-term contract, be prepared for an early termination fee. Always ask for a full schedule of fees before you sign up.
Q: Do I need to be home for the connection to happen?
For electricity and gas, you generally don’t need to be home as long as the technician has safe and clear access to the meter. For an NBN internet connection that requires a technician to install equipment inside, you will need to be present.
Q: I’m moving into a brand new build. Is the process different?
Yes, significantly. For new builds, the connection process is much longer as it may involve installing a new meter. Coordinate closely with your builder, as they often manage the initial application with the distributor. Start this process months, not weeks, in advance.
Q: What about water?
Water and sewerage are handled by regional authorities (e.g., Sydney Water, Yarra Valley Water). You typically need to notify them of the change in ownership or tenancy. This is often done by you or your solicitor/conveyancer as part of the settlement process for property owners, or by filling out a form as a tenant. It is rarely handled by utility connection services.
Get a Quote Today!
Organising utilities is a critical step in ensuring a stress-free move. By understanding your options, planning your timeline, and confirming the details, you can ensure your new house feels like a home from the moment you walk through the door. And with the admin taken care of, you can confidently turn your attention to the physical move. For a move handled with the same level of meticulous planning and care, get a no-obligation quote from Bartlett’s Move today.