Across the Essential Energy network, our contracted meter readers are responsible for the accurate reading of approximately 1.5 million meters - almost 6 million every year!

To make life easier and safer for meter readers, please ensure:

Easy access to your meter

Essential Energy, contracted meter readers and energy retailer meter readers must have access to the meter in order to read, test or maintain it, or remove and replace as necessary. Obstructions such as trees and landscaped walls can prevent this.

To ensure safe and timely access, please:

• Maintain a minimum of two metres of clear space around the meter box.
• Avoid placing permanent obstructions such as trees, bushes or walls in front of or near the meter.
• Build fences and gates behind the meter box, not in front of it.

Even though some meters can be read electronically, it's still essential that they are kept free from obstructions so that they can be accessed in critical times and when necessary.

By ensuring meter readers can access and read meters safely, customers can avoid having their electricity usage estimated on past consumption.

Safe access to your meter

Our meter readers often encounter hazards like unrestrained dogs, livestock, wasps’ nests, and overgrown vegetation. The most serious risk is dog attacks.

To help keep our team safe, please:

1. Do not fence in meter boxes - build fences and gates behind, rather than in front of the meter box.
2. Ensure safe and easy access to meter boxes by not locking gates, trimming back nearby bushes, moving rubbish and clearing spider webs and insect nests.
3. Keep dogs safely secured during the day or place them in a different area to where the meter box is located.
4. Phone 132391 to tell us if you have a dog that is unrestrained during the day or have a new puppy. We will work with you so meters can be read safely.
5. Do not use private padlocks or locking devices on meter boxes. If you're concerned about the security of your meter, you can order an Essential Energy approved lock from www.meterkeys.com.au. This will ensure meter readers and emergency crews can still access the meter, especially in case of fire or electric shock.

We provide our meter readers with dog awareness and safety training and have a range of internal warnings and procedures in place. These include a dog register to alert meter readers before entering a property.

By ensuring meter readers can access and read meters safely, you can avoid having your electricity usage estimated on past consumption.

For more information

The complete Service and Installation Rules of New South Wales can be found by visiting the Energy NSW website.