Mon-Fri 9AM to 8PM (AEST)Gas, including natural gas and LPG, is one of the primary power sources for Australian homes and can be a cheaper alternative to electricity for heating, cooling and hot water. For many, once you’ve tried gas there’s no turning back!
There are two common scenarios in which you need a new gas connection – the first is ‘activating’ or switching on an account with a new gas provider, this can happen if you are moving to a home with an existing gas supply and need to set up an account in your name, or if you are looking for a new provider for your current home to save money on your energy bills.
In the second scenario, a new physical gas connection is needed, as well as a new account. This happens if you want to install gas for the first time in your home or if you are building or moving to a home without an existing gas connection.
These two scenarios have very different timelines to account for the different amounts of work required. When you are setting up your new gas connection, it’s important to understand the timelines for your particular scenario so that you have energy up and running on time.
Gas connection timelines
SCENARIO 1
“I am switching gas providers for a better deal” or;
“I am moving to a new home that has an existing gas connection”
If you fall into this scenario, you’ll be happy to know that it’s the easiest option! All you need to do is give CheapBills a call and we will take care of the rest. There will be no interruption to your current gas supply, so you can sit back and enjoy the savings!
In this scenario, your current or new home must have an existing gas service line to connect the house to the grid, and it must be in good working order. If there are any maintenance or repair works, then you should follow the steps in Scenario 2.
| WHO | WHAT | WHEN | |
| STEP 1 | CheapBills | Compare energy plans | 4 weeks before the connection date (or as early as possible) |
| STEP 2 | CheapBills and New Gas Provider | Book connection date | 3 -5 business days before the connection date |
| STEP 3 | CheapBills and Current Gas Provider | Book disconnection date for your current gas supply | 3 -5 business days before the disconnection date |
Each of these steps is discussed in more detail below to make sure you are fully informed before you switch electricity and gas to the best value provider.
SCENARIO 2
“I want to install gas in my current home for the first time” or;
“I am moving to a new home without an existing gas connection”
This scenario involves a few more steps than Scenario 1, but if you know who to talk to and when you should still be able to get a new gas connection with the best deal and no stress!
| WHO | WHAT | WHEN | |
| STEP 1 | Builder or Gas Fitter | Install a gas meter and service line | A minimum of 20 days before you move |
| STEP 2 | CheapBills | Compare energy plans | 4 weeks before the connection date (or as early as possible) |
| STEP 3 | CheapBills and New Gas Provider | Book connection date | 3 -5 business days before the connection date |
| STEP 4 | CheapBills and Current Gas Provider | Book disconnection date for your current gas supply | 3 -5 business days before the disconnection date |
Each of these steps is discussed in more detail below to make sure you find cheap electricity and gas plans and get your new connection installed in a breeze!
Compare energy plans
When you start looking for a new gas plan, we recommend that you compare electricity and gas at the same time to make sure you get the best value for your money, which might be an energy bundle.
Finding the right tariff, discounts and incentives can save you hundreds of dollars each year, so it’s important to start this step early to make sure you have time to consider all your options.
When you call CheapBIlls, we will look at the unique needs of your home energy, compare providers and recommend the best energy plan. Some things we will need to know include:
- Which utilities do you use in your home? There are some great value bundles available for electricity, gas, internet and Pay TV Australia.
- How big is your home and how many people live there?
- Do you have a smart meter?
- Do you (or can you) use energy during off-peak hours?
- Do you have solar panels installed in your home?
- Do you work from home?
- What types of heating and cooling do you have?
- What type of hot water system do you have?
- Is there a swimming pool?
- Do you have an electric vehicle?
- Who is your current provider? Do you want to find a new plan with the same provider or are you happy to switch to find the best-value plan?
Remember, we can only compare energy plans for customers in deregulated regions. If you live in an area with a regulated energy market, then you will be connected to the government-subsidised energy provider in your area. We can compare energy in Victoria, New South Wales, South-East Queensland, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania.
| Energy plan comparison | |||
| Cost per month* | |||
| Provider | Plan | Gas only | Electricity and gas bundle |
| EnergyAustralia | Flexi Plan | $138^ | $204^ |
| Tango Energy | Gas Select / Tango Blue | $101^ | $223^ |
| ActewAGL | Cool Credit Plan | $179^^ | $366^^ |
| Origin Energy | Flexi Rate ePlus | $106^ | $212^ |
| AGL Energy | Value Saver | $117^ | $221^ |
*Prices are correct in November 2022. Based on the providers’ estimated ‘medium’ household gas usage
^Rates for customers in Melbourne postcode 3000
^^Rates for customers in Canberra postcode 2600
Book a connection date
If you are moving home electricity and gas providers for a cheaper deal, then your connection date will usually be ASAP. If your current contract is fixed term, it might save you money on exit fees to wait until your benefit period has expired and book your connection date for after that time.
If you are moving to a new home, your connection date will be the date you are moving in – some people prefer to make the connection the day before to be on the safe side. Make sure you give your energy provider 3 – 5 business days’ notice and don’t forget to account for public holidays and weekends.
You will not need to be home for your new connection to take place, but you should take a meter reading as soon as possible for your records, in case there are any discrepancies on your first bill. You should also check for any faults and report them immediately to your retailer.
Book a disconnection date
In most cases, if you are switching retailers in the same home, your new provider will inform your current provider that they are taking over the account. However, it’s a good idea to also let them know yourself, to avoid any confusion down the track.
If you are moving house, you should notify your energy retailer as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to book your disconnection for the day after your move-out to make sure you have power on moving day.
You should take a meter reading before you leave the property for your records in case there are any discrepancies on your final bill.
Install gas meter and service line
If you are building a new home, or want to add gas to a home without an existing gas supply, you need to talk to your builder or a gas fitter to arrange a quote for the works.
You will need to decide which appliances you want to run with gas so that they can scope the work and provide an accurate quote. Once you have signed off on the work, they will engage your gas distributor to connect your home to the grid by installing a service line. This can take up to 20 business days, so make sure you start planning early.
If natural gas isn’t available in your area, you might be able to connect gas through bottled LPG as an alternative.
Once your home is ready to be connected, your distributor will install a gas meter. This may incur a fee if there are complex works involved. If this is the case, the cost will be included in the initial quote from your builder and paid to the distributor on your behalf.
You can find the distributor for your region in the table below:
| State | Region | Distributor |
| Victoria | Various | |
| New South Wales | Tamworth | Central Ranges System |
| Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong and parts of country NSW | Jemena Gas Networks (NSW) | |
| Wagga Wagga | Wagga Wagga Gas Distribution Network | |
| South Australia | All of SA | Australian Gas Networks |
| ACT | All of ACT | Evoenergy |
| Tasmania | All of TAS | Tas Gas Networks |
Next steps
Now that you know the process, you are ready to start saving by comparing electricity plans and gas deals for your home.
When you call CheapBills, we’ll find you the best gas and cheap electricity in Victoria, NSW, QLD, ACT and Tas from our panel of Australia’s leading energy providers, including:
- EnergyAustralia
- ActewAGL
- Covau
- Tango Energy
- Blue NRG
- Energy Locals
Not only can we make you some huge savings on your energy bill, but we can also compare plans from some of Australia’s leading internet providers to save you even more on your NBN plans, 5G wireless home internet and Pay TV Australia, including Foxtel.
To take advantage of our 100% free-of-charge comparison tools, just call 1300 786 045 or enter your details online. In one easy phone call, our team can help you find the cheap energy plan, connect your electricity and gas and even arrange your internet and Pay TV Australia to make you some big savings!
