Smart Meters For Switchboards
What is the new government initiative?
If you own a home, unit or an apartment, there is a good chance your building will soon receive a visit as part of the Queensland’s smart meter rollout.
As part of the accelerated smart meter rollout, electricity retailers are progressively replacing older electricity meters with smart meters across Queensland, with the rollout expected to be completed by 2030. As buildings are scheduled for installation, retailers are arranging for contractors to inspect existing meter installations and replace legacy meters with new smart meters. This includes both residential and body corporate strata switchboards.
During this process, installers assess whether the existing meter enclosure and switchboard are suitable for the new smart meter.
Why Are Defect Notices Being Issued?
Across Brisbane, we’re already seeing meter installers identify defects that prevent them from completing the installation.
The most common include:
- Meter boards containing asbestos
- Damaged or deteriorated backing boards and not on a hinged panel
- Insufficient space to safely install the new smart meter
- Meter enclosures that require upgrading or replacement
- Missing meter isolation links
Must All Buildings Have A Smart Meter Installed?
No. Each owner or Body Corporate can decide not to proceed with getting a smart meter installed. However if delayed or declined, it may result in:
- Need for manual meter readings
- Additional charges from Energy providers
- Estimated Usages for billing rather than accurate data
Potentially higher rectification costs as labour and material prices increase over time
Who Is Responsible?
Your electricity retailer installs the smart meter.
Your switchboard is your responsibility.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Queensland’s smart meter rollout.
While your electricity retailer is responsible for supplying and installing the new smart meter, they are not responsible for repairing, upgrading or replacing your existing switchboard or meter enclosure if it doesn’t meet the requirements for installation.
If defects are identified, the responsibility for rectifying them rests with the owner of the electrical installation. In a body corporate, this may be the individual lot owner, the Body Corporate, or both, depending on whether the defect relates to private property or common property.
Understanding this before your building is scheduled can help you avoid unnecessary delays, unexpected costs and the pressure of organising repairs after a defect notice has already been issued.
***Visit the Queensland Government website for more information: Smart meter installation – qld.gov.au***
Why Body Corporates Choose Fully Wired Electrical
Since 2008, Fully Wired Electrical has specialised in electrical services for Brisbane’s body corporate industry.
Switchboards are one of our core areas of expertise.
Our team can:
- Complete a comprehensive switchboard inspection to the communal switchboard before the rollout reaches your building.
- Identify potential issues likely to affect smart meter installation.
- Provide practical recommendations and budgeting advice.
- Complete any required switchboard rectification works or replacements.
- Respond quickly if your building has already received defect notices from a meter installer.
Whether you’re a committee member, strata manager, building manager or investment property owner, our goal is simple—to help you stay ahead of the rollout instead of reacting after problems arise. Check out a few of our recent switchboard upgrades HERE
What to do now – Get on the Front Foot
Your retailer installs the smart meter. Your switchboard is your responsibility. Getting ahead of any required upgrades now means you’ll be ready when your building is scheduled for installation.
The smart meter rollout isn’t something coming in the distant future—
it’s happening NOW across Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
The earlier you understand the condition of your building’s electrical infrastructure, the more options you’ll have to plan works, manage costs and avoid unnecessary disruption.
If you’d like peace of mind before your building receives its smart meter installation, speak with the switchboard specialists at Fully Wired Electrical and organise for a Switchboard Inspection or simply answer any further questions.
We’ll help you understand what changes may be required today—so there are fewer surprises tomorrow.
PH: 1300 38 55 99 [email protected] www.fullywired.com.au
