Disconnection or abolishment?
Disconnection
Supply off- Cheaper and quicker
- Can be reconnected later
- The meter and service pipe stay
- Your network may treat a long-idle connection differently over time
Abolishment
Permanent- Removes the meter and makes the service pipe safe
- Ends any future link to the gas network
- Costs more
- Reconnecting later means paying for a new connection
How to stop using gas
Replace the last gas appliance
Hot water, heating and cooking all need electric replacements first. See gas vs electric.
Contact your retailer
Ask for a disconnection or abolishment quote and the timing. Retailers must explain the difference under the new rules.
Final read and bill
Your network does a final meter read and your retailer sends a final bill.
The new rules on gas charges
The AEMC made two rules as gas demand falls. From its December 2025 rule on connections, new gas customers will pay cost-reflective connection charges upfront. Its 2026 rule on abolishment means customers who permanently remove their connection pay the efficient cost of doing so, so the cost is not spread across remaining gas users. Both phase in network by network. The rules do not apply in WA.
Renting?
Disconnecting or abolishing gas is the property owner's decision. Talk to your landlord or agent.
Common questions
Ask your gas retailer. It arranges the disconnection or abolishment with your network and sends a final bill.
Yes, until the supply is disconnected and the account closed. Simply not using gas does not stop the daily supply charge.
It depends on your network. Under the AEMC's 2026 rule, customers will pay an upfront, cost-reflective abolishment charge as each network's next access arrangement begins from 2027. Ask your retailer for a quote.
Sources
Rule details come from the AEMC's final determinations. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.