Why bills get estimated
Estimates happen when the meter reader cannot get to the meter, or when the data does not come through. The usual causes are:
- A locked gate, a dog in the yard or a meter box blocked by plants or storage.
- Bad weather, safety issues or a missed visit.
- A smart meter that has lost its communications link.
- A meter change, or the first bill after moving in.
Your retailer estimates usage from your past bills, or from similar homes if you have no history. The bill should show an E, the word estimated or a similar label next to the reading.
The rules on estimated bills
In NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT, the National Energy Retail Rules require that:
- Bills based on an estimate say so clearly.
- The retailer uses its best endeavours to get an actual reading at least once every 12 months.
- Once an actual read comes in, the next bill adjusts for the difference.
- You can provide your own reading, and if the retailer does not accept it, it must tell you and explain why.
Victoria has similar rules under its Energy Retail Code of Practice, and Western Australia under its Code of Conduct for the Supply of Electricity to Small Use Customers.
Catch-up bills
If a run of low estimates is followed by an actual read, you can get a large catch-up bill. Where the retailer undercharged you through no fault of yours, it can generally only recover the amount for the 9 months before it tells you, cannot charge interest and must offer you time to pay it off.
What to do about an estimated bill
Read your meter
Take a dated photo of the meter display. For a smart or digital meter, your retailer can tell you which register to read.
Send it to your retailer
Most retailers accept a self-read through their app, website or phone line, and will reissue the bill.
Fix the access problem
Leave the gate open on reading days, move what is blocking the meter or tell your retailer about a dog. Ask for the next read date.
Ask about payment options
If a catch-up bill is large, ask to pay it in instalments. Retailers must offer this when they have undercharged you.
Escalate if needed
Repeated estimates with no fix are worth a complaint. Start with your retailer, then your energy ombudsman.
The permanent fix is a smart meter, which is read remotely. See our smart meter guide for the rollout timetable.
Questions about estimated bills
Your meter was not read for that billing period, usually because the reader could not get access, or because a smart meter did not send its data. Your retailer estimated your usage from your past bills instead.
Not indefinitely. Under the National Energy Retail Rules, a retailer must use its best endeavours to base a bill on an actual reading at least once every 12 months. If access is the problem, it may ask you to fix it.
Yes. You can give your retailer your own reading, usually with a photo of the meter. If the retailer does not accept it, it must tell you and explain why.
The difference is added to a later bill once the meter is read. If you were undercharged through no fault of your own, the retailer can generally only recover the amount for the 9 months before it tells you, cannot charge interest and must offer instalments.
The overcharge is credited on a later bill once an actual read comes in. If you cannot afford the estimated amount in the meantime, give a self-read and ask your retailer to reissue the bill.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.