Smart Meter Legislation: What Strata & Property Managers Need to Know

Smart meters are being rolled out across New South Wales under new legislation that requires all properties to have a digital meter by 2030. For strata and property managers, this means preparing buildings, residents, and committees for compliance while minimising disruption and costs.

Why This Matters for Strata and Property Managers

No opt-out option – every property, including strata complexes, must upgrade to a smart meter.
Compliance responsibilities – older switchboards, asbestos panels, or shared fuses may require upgrades before meters can be installed.
Resident communication – managers will need to explain why upgrades are mandatory and how they benefit owners (accurate billing, real-time usage data, access to new energy programs).
Coordination challenges – in multi-unit buildings, upgrades often need to be scheduled for all residents at once to avoid delays and repeated outages.

The “One In, All In” Program for Shared Fuses

In many strata buildings, multiple units share a single service fuse. This creates a challenge: a smart meter cannot be safely installed for one unit without addressing the shared connection.

The “One In, All In” program ensures:

All affected units are upgraded together – avoiding unsafe or non-compliant partial installations.
Coordinated planning – strata managers must work with metering providers and electricians to schedule building-wide upgrades.
Cost and disruption management – while this may involve more upfront coordination, it prevents repeated outages and ensures compliance across the entire property.
Improved safety – shared fusing points are brought up to modern standards, reducing electrical hazards.

The Accelerated Meter Program

The Accelerated Meter Program was introduced by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to speed up the rollout.

Key points:

All legacy meters replaced by 2030 – Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) must publish replacement plans and systematically retire old meters.
Retailers and metering providers will coordinate installations, with strata properties often requiring additional planning.
Benefits for residents include:

Real-time energy data and more accurate billing
Access to flexible tariffs (e.g., time-of-use pricing)
Eligibility for new programs like virtual power plants and demand response rebates

Risks of delay – waiting until the last minute can mean higher costs, limited installer availability, and rushed compliance works.

How to Communicate This to Homeowners

When explaining the changes to residents, focus on:

Mandatory nature – upgrades are required by law, not optional.
Future benefits – accurate billing, better energy insights, and access to new energy-saving programs.
Cost control – early planning avoids urgent, expensive works.
Safety and compliance – upgrades often improve switchboards, remove asbestos risks, and modernise electrical infrastructure.

Smart Meter Upgrade – Frequently Asked Questions

Why are smart meters being installed?

Smart meters are part of a nationwide upgrade to modernise Australia’s electricity network. By law, all old meters must be replaced with digital smart meters by 2030.

Do I have a choice?

No. The upgrade is mandatory under federal legislation. Every property, including apartments and strata complexes, must transition to a smart meter.

What are the benefits for me?

Accurate bills – no more estimated readings.
Real-time usage data – track your energy use and make smarter choices.
Access to new energy programs – such as solar feed-in, battery storage, and flexible tariffs.
Fewer disruptions – faults can often be detected and fixed remotely.

What if my building has shared fuses?

In many apartment buildings, several units share one service fuse. In these cases, the “One In, All In” program applies. This means all affected units must upgrade together to ensure safety and compliance.

What is the Accelerated Meter Program?

This program speeds up the rollout so that all old meters are replaced by 2030. It ensures upgrades happen in a planned way, rather than leaving everything to the last minute.

Will there be costs involved?

The meter itself is provided by your electricity retailer.
In some cases, switchboard upgrades, asbestos removal, or safety rectifications may be required before installation. These costs are usually the responsibility of the property owner or strata.

How long will the installation take?

Most installations take around 30–60 minutes per meter. For strata buildings, the process may take longer if multiple units are upgraded at once.

Will my power be interrupted?

Yes. Depending on the scenario, it can be one hour up to split across multiple days (8 hours at a time), while the old meter is replaced.

Who organises the upgrade?

Your electricity retailer is responsible for arranging the upgrade. Tekwave works alongside Tier 1 field service providers and metering companies to carry out the installation safely and in compliance with NSW regulations.

What should I do now?

Stay informed – your retailer will notify you when your property is scheduled.
Check your switchboard – older boards may need upgrades.
If you’re in a strata property – your strata manager will coordinate the process for the whole building.

👉 Tip for Strata Managers: You can copy this FAQ directly into your resident communications. It helps explain the changes clearly, reduces confusion, and builds trust by showing that the process is both mandatory and beneficial.

How Tekwave Can Help

At Tekwave, we specialise in guiding strata and property managers through these changes. We:

Provide complimentary consultations to assess risks and compliance needs.
Manage switchboard upgrades, asbestos removal, and defect rectifications.
Coordinate with Tier 1 field service providers and metering companies to deliver a smooth, building-wide rollout.
Offer clear communication materials you can share with residents to explain the process simply and confidently.

In short: The legislation means every strata property must transition to smart meters by 2030. By planning early—especially for shared fuse situations—you can protect your owners from unnecessary costs, delays, and compliance risks while unlocking the benefits of modern energy technology.

Why Taking Action Now Matters

If no action is taken, the timing of smart meter upgrades will ultimately be dictated by your local Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP). This means installations may occur with little notice, limited flexibility, and minimal opportunity to coordinate with residents. In these cases, strata managers and property owners are left reacting to the DNSP’s schedule, which can result in rushed works, repeated outages, and higher costs if compliance issues are discovered at the last minute.

By taking action early, you regain control over the process. Proactive planning allows you to:

Choose the timing of upgrades to minimise disruption for tenants and residents.
Coordinate building-wide works (such as shared fuse upgrades) in a single, efficient project.
Address compliance issues in advance, avoiding costly delays or emergency rectifications.
Communicate clearly with residents, building trust and reducing confusion.
Achieve better outcomes for both managers and tenants by ensuring the rollout is smooth, safe, and cost-effective.

In short, acting now means you set the pace, rather than being at the mercy of the network authority’s schedule.