Whether renting or buying a new home, the first thing you need to do after moving in is switch on your electricity, water and internet services. How do you open an account for electricity, water, and gas? Today, I’ve compiled a complete guide to opening an account for broadband, electricity, and water in Melbourne, including operator recommendations, Australia’s natural gas tariffs, water and electricity standards and payment methods, etc., in Melbourne to live in the small friends hurry up to collect it!
Electricity & Gas
In Melbourne, electricity and gas are usually supplied by the same company. The energy supply situation in Australia and China is entirely different. In Australia, the state delivers electricity and gas to residential and commercial properties and controls energy. In Australia, however, electricity is privatised and distributed by distributors in each state to the grid in each district and then sold to customers by energy retailers, who are what we call electricity retailers.
Steps to Switch on Electricity and Gas
You must choose the right energy retailer and contact them to turn on your electricity. Usually, the company will do a credit check for you, which means they will ask you for proof of your identity, such as your passport, driving licence, health insurance card, rental agreement, etc. The company will also ask you to provide your name, address and address. At the same time, they will ask for your name, phone number, email address and current address.
After opening the account, they will send you a welcome letter and tell you that there are ten days cooling days, that is, we often say the “cooling off period”, during which you have the right to switch to another company. Ten days later, it will be defaulted that you have switched to the company.
Electricity bills in Melbourne are usually sent to you by the post office in paper form, or you can choose to have them emailed to you electronically. Your payment cycle can be monthly or quarterly, meaning you can receive your bill every month or quarterly.
Electricity prices vary in every region of Melbourne, so you must ask your chosen electricity retailer for the exact cost.
What are the Most Common Electricity Meters in Australia?
Two types of electricity meters are commonly used in Melbourne: Traditional and Smart.
Traditional Meter is the earliest type of electricity meter used in Melbourne. If you use this type of meter at home, someone will come to your home to read the meter every time before the electricity company sends you a bill.
A Smart Meter is a newer type of smart meter. If you use this type of meter at home, you don’t need to send someone to read the meter. The data can be sent directly to the cloud so that the electricity company can check your electricity usage.
Australian Electricity Billing Mode
Electricity in Melbourne is charged according to the actual electricity consumption. And the corresponding prices differ for different periods and seasons. Total Electricity Bill = Days X Discounted Monthly Fee + Electricity Usage X Discounted Electricity Price + 10% GST. Many electricity companies will offer discounted prices. When comparing prices, you should not care too much about the strength of the discount but should choose based on the price.
Electricity Tariffs in Melbourne Generally Use two Billing Models
Single Rate
If your home has a single rate, you will be charged the same price for the whole day.
Time of Use (TOU)
The TOU billing mode is based on the amount of electricity used during the day.
It is divided into three periods according to the amount of electricity used per day:
Peak Period: Generally 7-9 am and 5-8 pm, this is the peak time for electricity consumption, e.g. cooking, washing clothes, switching on electrical appliances, etc.
Shoulder Period: Generally from 9 am to 5 pm and 8 pm to 10 pm. This is when electricity consumption is reduced compared to the peak periods.
Off-Peak Period: Generally from 10 pm to 7 am, this is when the number of people using electricity is the lowest, and the price of electricity is also the cheapest in the day.
Tips: By knowing the rates for different periods, you can save money by scheduling your electricity at the cheaper times of the day.
Besides, no matter which billing mode you use, you usually receive a bill with two rates: Usage Charge and Supply Charge.
Usage Supply
The electricity needed for daily living is usually between 25c/kWh and 44c/kWh, depending on where you live.
Supply Charge
Electricity service charge is calculated daily in cents/day.
Tips: Many users may be curious to see the supply charge on the back of their electricity bill and feel they have somehow paid a lot of extra money. The Supply Charge is the electricity connection and maintenance fee, which is a fee to be paid by the electricity supplier to help households connect to the electricity supply.
Recommended Electricity/Gas Companies in Australia
Energy Australia
Energy Australia is one of the best electricity companies in Australia. It offers different packages for landlords to choose from, and it will recommend the most suitable package according to the landlord’s area, electricity consumption, and so on!
AGL
Australia’s leading electrical giant company, founded in 1873, has a long history and the oldest qualification. However, after Australia’s vast user feedback, AGL’s price is a little expensive, and it is easy to calculate the wrong bill. Oh ……
CovaU
CovaU is an energy company that provides Chinese customer service. For those landlords who are not good at English and are often blind, it is more than a little convenient to call Chinese customers directly when encountering problems.
How Do You Choose an Australian Electricity Company?
Energy Australia is suitable for people living in Australia for a long time; AGL is more appropriate for short-term use because there are no liquidated damages; CovaU is ideal for customers with poor English, with no need to worry about the language barrier caused by poor communication.
How to Read Your Electricity Bill
Electricity billing cycle: Generally speaking, there are two types of electricity billing cycles, namely, one month and three months.
Electricity unit conversion: 1000 watts = 1 kWh = 1Kwh.
The back of your electricity bill usually contains a detailed breakdown of the charges, divided into two parts: actual usage (consumption) and electricity service (supply charge). You can calculate the charges directly from the data shown on your bill.
Gas Billing in Australia
Natural gas in Australia is also billed through a traditional gas meter. It is important to note that all gas meters in Australia are now read manually. Each gas meter has a meter installation reference number (MIRN). There are two types of gas meters in Australia: electronic and mechanical.
One type is a metric meter, which records gas consumption in cubic metres (m3).
The other type is the imperial meter, which records gas consumption in units (cubic feet).
Most people in Melbourne use a metric meter to calculate the price per cubic metre (m³) of gas they use. Gas meters measure in cubic metres, a unit of volume, so two physical values convert the meter usage (volume) into MJ, a unit of heat. One is the heating value, which calculates the amount of energy (MJ) contained in the gas and is affected by the seasons and the region. The other is the pressure value, which calculates the energy (MJ) contained in the gas. One is the conversion/pressure factor, which is a conversion factor that calculates the total amount of gas needed to heat cold water. The gas network operator provides the values for both parameters.
The Formula
Actual usage (MJ) = (final gas meter reading – initial gas meter reading) * heating value * conversion factor
If your home’s hot water is also heated by gas, you may have a separate hot water meter. A hot water meter calculates usage differently from a gas meter based on the volume of water heated. The calculation of the hot water meter includes a constant value of volume multiplier (M), i.e. 10. Because the unit of measurement of the hot water meter is the decalitre, it needs to be multiplied by 10 when converting the unit to litres.
Hot water meter gas usage = (final meter reading – initial reading)10conversion factor
So final gas usage = gas meter reading + hot water meter reading
Most electric companies bill it by ‘ stages ‘ once you have the gas usage (MJ). The average natural gas usage for the day is divided into stages, each with a different price. The higher the average daily usage, the cheaper the more significant part of the gas usage will be.
Water
In Australia, water is a government monopoly, so you don’t get to pick and choose your water supplier! Sydney Water is the only water supplier in Sydney, so you can open an account directly on the website, set up a payment method, and check your bill on time every month.
Australian Water Tariffs
Water inMelbourne is relatively precious and expensive! But if you do not exceed the prescribed usage value, the water price is still acceptable! On average, Australians pay around AU$500 – AU$1000 per household per year (about 2412-4825 RMB) for water.
How to Pay for Water in Australia
Water charges for houses and apartments in Australia are not the same.
The water supply company bills house water charges according to the installation of the water meter. The residents need to pre-deposit an equal amount of money for the next quarter and the actual water consumption after calculating the cost of the more refundable, less make-up.
Apartment households do not have a separate water meter. The water supply company will calculate an amount according to your neighbourhood, house type and area for you to pay quarterly. Of course, there is a certain amount of money, but within the amount, you only need to pay a fixed amount. Water consumption exceeds the amount of money, and you need to pay additional water charges.
Payment methods: Visa MasterCard or PayPal. There are also other ways to pay. See the chart below for details:
How to See Your Water Bill
Australian water bill payments for houses and apartments are different. Take the following bill as an example:
The picture shows that the apartment only needs to pay fixed charges. The house water bill is divided into fixed and usage charges into two parts.
Broadband Internet
These days, if you don’t have an internet connection, it will be like a year! Many students who come to Melbourne for the first time have no idea about the broadband service here, how to choose the right package for them, how to turn on the network, and other issues that are simply mind-boggling! Today, I’ll introduce you to the primary network companies in Australia and their corresponding broadband services, the network opening process and some notes!
Primary Broadband Services in Australia
ADSL2+
The most common type of broadband in Australia is prevalent. The Internet speed can reach up to 24 Mbps, but the speed may be very different due to the quality of the line, the distance from the exchange room and the building where the telephone line is new or old.
Naked DSL
Naked DSL is a DSL Internet service on the telephone line, but it does not provide telephone service.
Wireless (Mobile Broadband)
With a wireless network, you can connect to the Internet from almost anywhere by accessing hotspots located in different locations, so there is no need for a telephone or network line.
NBN
NBN is the National Broadband Network of Australia, an ambitious broadband network construction programme by the Australian government, covering both wireless and wired high-speed broadband network construction, where the government leases the infrastructure to an internet service provider, who then provides the service to the users.
Recommended Major Network Operators in Australia
Telstra
Telstra is Australia’s most extensive communications and information services company, with a wide range of broadband services, extensive network coverage, and reportedly fast and stable internet speeds. Still, the price is slightly higher than other internet providers. If you’re not short on cash, Telstra is the way to go!
Optus
Optus is also one of the top internet providers in Australia, offering a wide range of broadband services. The quality of the internet is satisfactory, but the price is certainly not cheap!
TPG
TPG has been growing very fast in recent years. Many of my friends have chosen their broadband service, and the main reason is – that it’s cheap, especially for international students! Although the network may occasionally be unstable, it’s generally good, so you should usually have no problem using it.
Belong
Belong is a small to medium-sized internet company that has emerged recently, and Telstra powers its flagship. With such a robust backend, doesn’t it give you a sense of relief? Moreover, Belong’s internet packages are relatively inexpensive and efficiently installed, making them suitable for international students.
Australia Internet Application Process
Select Broadband Type and Internet Company
Here, we recommend a website: https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband. After clicking on it, you can compare the internet packages of different companies according to your actual situation and needs to choose the most suitable one for you;
Turn on the Network.
After you have selected the network package you are satisfied with, you can start to apply for it! At this point, we need to call the network provider chosen, explain our requirements and let them help arrange the application process;
Sign the Contract
You can choose to have a contract, the most common being 12 and 24 months, but 6 and 18 months are also available. Alternatively, you can choose to have no fixed contract, but this will be more expensive.
Things to Consider When Setting up an Internet Connection
When signing a contract with an internet company, check the following details with the company:
Whether there are Set-up Fees, Activation Fees, Connection Fees, New Development Charges, Modem Fees and other fees;
How long the contract is for, generally speaking, signing a contract for a more extended period may have certain favours, such as free Set-up Fees or Modem Fees;
How much is the breach of contract fee? This is very important because if you want to terminate the contract early, some companies do charge a certain fee and make specific requirements, so you must ask clearly when signing the contract to avoid any unnecessary trouble that may occur at that time.
FAQ
To open utility accounts in Melbourne, typically, you’ll need some form of identification (like a passport or driver’s licence), proof of address, and sometimes, a visa or proof of residency. It’s about making the process as smooth as possible, ensuring you’re set up for a comfortable start in this beautiful country.
Setting up your accounts usually takes just a few days. We’d advise doing this as early as possible, though, so you’re not left waiting when you need these services the most. Think of it as your first step towards a seamless transition to life in Australia.
Some providers may charge a connection or setup fee. However, these are generally minimal and, in the grand scheme of things, a small price for the convenience and services provided. Always ask upfront to avoid surprises.
Indeed, there are numerous ways to be more energy-efficient and save money on your bills, from using energy-saving appliances to choosing providers that offer competitive rates. This is about empowering you to make sustainable choices for a brighter tomorrow.
Yes, you can. It’s your right to choose a provider that meets your expectations. Switching is typically straightforward and can lead to better rates and services, reflecting our belief in a future where you can choose what’s best for you.
