Accelerated smart meter rollout is underway

The rollout of smart meters is now accelerating across South Australia, following rule changes that require all homes and small businesses to have a smart meter by 2030.

Since December 2025, electricity providers have been replacing older, manually read meters as part of approved Legacy Meter Replacement Plans. If you still have a basic meter, it’s likely your provider will contact you over the coming years to arrange an upgrade.

A smart meter is a digital electricity meter that records your energy use in short intervals and sends this information directly to your provider. This means meter readings no longer need to be done in person.

What to expect if your meter is being replaced

For most households, replacing a meter is a straightforward process and usually takes around an hour. Your electricity supply will be briefly interrupted while the work is carried out.

If there are any safety concerns (such as older wiring or asbestos) your provider will provide you with a “site defect notice” to explain your options and what needs to happen before installation can go ahead.

In mid-2025, SA Power Networks published its Legacy Meter Replacement Plan, which outlines the approximate timing for when meters across the state are expected to be replaced.

Stronger consumer protections

Consumer safeguards are also being strengthened as part of the rollout. Providers are not allowed to charge you upfront fees for installing a smart meter as part of the rollout (excluding new connections or cases where you request a smart meter).

For the first two years after a smart meter is installed, your electricity provider must get your explicit, informed consent before moving you to a different tariff. This means any pricing change must be clearly explained and agreed to by you. installation.

After two years, your provider can change your tariff without consent. However, they must give you at least 30 business days’ notice and provide an estimate showing what your electricity costs over the past 12 months would have been under the new tariff, compared with your current one.

Since June 2025, customers can no longer opt out of having a smart meter installed as part of the rollout. You can still ask your provider to turn off the meter’s wireless technology and arrange manual meter readings, although your provider may charge fees for manually reading your meter.

Need help?

You don’t need to do anything unless your provider contacts you.

If you have questions about a smart meter installation, or run into a problem you can’t resolve with your provider, contact EWOSA for independent advice and dispute resolution.

Read more:

• Energy Consumers Australia | Smart meters: what you need to know

• EWOSA | Fact sheet: Smart meter rollout