Second Meter Installation in Sydney

Yes, for a fully separate network meter. Installing a new meter connected to the Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy network requires a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider under the NSW ASP Scheme. The Level 2 ASP lodges the connection application, obtains the new NMI, installs the meter panel, and coordinates energisation with the distributor. A standard licensed electrician can do the internal wiring for the secondary dwelling but cannot carry out the network connection or meter installation.

From the time we lodge the network application with Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy, the typical lead time is two to six weeks. This includes the distributor reviewing the application, assigning the NMI, and scheduling the installation. The physical installation itself is usually completed in one visit of a few hours. We lodge the application quickly after your written go-ahead and keep you updated on the distributor's progress.

A separate meter is not legally required under NSW planning law to build or occupy a granny flat. However, if you want to charge a tenant for electricity independently, you need either a network meter (with its own NMI) or a documented sub-metering arrangement. Under the NSW Residential Tenancies Act, on-charging electricity without a separate or sub-metered supply creates practical and legal complications. A network meter eliminates that entirely.

A separate meter is a fully registered network connection with its own NMI. The tenant sets up their own retailer account and receives their own bill. A sub-meter is an internal device installed by an electrician that measures usage from the main supply but is not registered with the network. Sub-meters cost less to install but the owner still receives the electricity bill and must recover the cost from the tenant directly. For rental properties where the tenant pays electricity, a separate network meter is simpler and cleaner.

It depends on the layout of your property and the load profile of the secondary dwelling. For an attached granny flat close to the main house with a short cable run, the second meter can often be fed from a new sub-board off the existing main service. For a detached structure at the rear of the block, a new underground cable run from the network connection point is typically more practical. We assess both options during the site visit.

Once the meter is installed and the NMI is active, your tenant contacts an electricity retailer of their choice (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia, or any other NSW-licensed retailer) and opens an account in their name using the new NMI. From that point, the retailer bills them directly. You provide the tenant with the NMI number, which we include in our handover documentation on completion of the job.

Yes. Any structure that draws significant electrical load and where you want to monitor or bill usage separately can be set up with a sub-meter or a separate network meter. For a domestic workshop with standard circuit loads, an internal sub-meter is often sufficient and simpler to set up. For a structure running significant three-phase machinery or where you want a separate NMI, a network meter installation is the appropriate route. We advise on the most practical and cost-effective option for your specific setup.