Transferring utilities when you move sounds simple, but getting the timing wrong can leave you without power, gas or internet in your first days at a new home. Here's how to do it right.
Transferring your electricity connection
Electricity transfer is typically the most straightforward. You need to:
- Decide whether to transfer your existing account to the new address, or find a new retailer (moving is the perfect time to compare and switch).
- Contact your chosen retailer at least 1–3 business days before your move-in date.
- Provide your new address, your move-in date and whether the property currently has electricity connected.
- Take a meter reading at both your old address (on move-out day) and your new address (on move-in day) and photograph with a timestamp.
Best practice: Contact your retailer at least 5 business days before your move to ensure account setup without any rush. Moving is also the ideal time to compare electricity plans — you're already making changes and there's no switching hassle when your account is new.
Transferring or connecting gas
Natural gas is not available everywhere in Australia — check whether your new property has gas before arranging a connection. If it does:
- Choose a gas retailer (same or new as electricity — some retailers offer both).
- Contact them at least 2–5 business days before your move-in date.
- Confirm whether gas is currently connected at the property (your real estate agent should know).
- If gas has been disconnected, a gasfitter may need to reconnect and test it — add an extra week of lead time.
Setting up internet at your new address
This is where most people underestimate the lead time. nbn connections require:
- Standard connection: 2–10 business days if the property has been previously connected
- New connection (never connected before): 2–4 weeks and usually requires a technician visit
- FTTP upgrade: 4–8 weeks
Book your internet connection 4 weeks before your move date. If you need it on moving day, you may need to consider 4G/5G mobile broadband as a backup while you wait for nbn connection.
Water when moving house
Water is administered differently across Australia's states and territories. In most states, you notify the local council or water authority that you've moved in, and they'll start billing you from your occupancy date. Check with your real estate agent or property manager for the specific process in your area.
| State | Water provider | How to transfer |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Sydney Water, Hunter Water or council | Call provider or online portal |
| VIC | City West Water, South East Water, etc. | Online portal |
| QLD | Local council | Contact council |
| SA | SA Water | Online or phone |
| WA | Water Corporation | Online portal |
Utility transfer dos and don'ts
- ✓ Do take timestamped meter readings at both properties on changeover day
- ✓ Do arrange connections before your move date, not after
- ✓ Do compare energy plans when you move — it's the perfect opportunity
- ✗ Don't cancel your old connections before the new ones are confirmed active
- ✗ Don't assume the previous tenant's account transfers to you automatically
- ✗ Don't forget that nbn booking lead times are longer than electricity or gas
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my electricity retailer when I move?
What if the previous tenant owes money on the electricity account?
Do I need to be home for a utility connection?
How do I set up water when moving?
What if I'm moving into a new build?
Keep reading
Let Pick A Deal coordinate all your connections
We compare plans from our provider panel and help coordinate your connection — completely free.