FAQ Builders

You should always call 000 straight away if there’s an emergency – like if you smell a gas leak or if there’s any risk to someone’s life or property (see Safety and outages for more details).

If your power or gas goes out, or if there’s a fault, contacting your distributor is usually the best place to start. If there’s an outage, they’ll usually be able to tell you when your power or gas should be back up and running.

If you build more than three properties a year – and you’re paying the connection fees and energy costs during construction – you can set up a multi site agreement. That way, any requests we receive from electricians and plumbers will be automatically billed to your account, without you having to authorise each one.

To fast track requests for your company, please complete and sign the Multi Site Agreement Your Details (PDF 263 KB) form after reading the Terms and Conditions (PDF 223 KB) and Disclosure Statement (PDF 46 KB) and Cancellation form (PDF 102 KB), send it back to us and we’ll sort out the rest.

Multi site builders pricing

For the latest multi site builders pricing booklet, see Current Residential Electricity and Gas Tariffs (PDF 193 KB).

You’ll find it easy to keep track of all your jobs using Origin Connect.

If you’re not sure whether there’s an electricity supply at the site, you can check with the distributor. And if you have any questions about natural gas supply, we’ll be happy to help out – just give us a call on 1300 132 480 (we’re available weekdays 8 am to 5 pm AEST).

Distributors are each responsible for set geographic areas – so yours will depend on where you live. You may even find that there’s more than one distributor in your postcode.

There are a couple of things that will affect the cost of installation, including the state you live in and the distributor in your area. For a full list of fees, see Meter installation, alteration and abolishment fees (PDF 422 kB).

With the Origin Connect portal, you can submit new connection requests for electricity and natural gas. You can also track the progress of each connection, ask questions, complete account closures and request final reads. It’s a complete connection management tool and we recommend that tradies request and manage their new connection requests this way.

Registering is easy and only takes a few minutes.

Register for Origin Connect

There are a range of LPG solutions that you can choose from. To set up an account, or to order an LPG cylinder using your existing account number, just head to Origin LPG. 

You’ll need to get your electrical paperwork submitted as soon as you can, and make sure there’s clear access to the electricity meter box. We can let the meter provider and your distributor know the connection’s urgent – but keep in mind, they’re booked weeks in advance, so there’s no real way to fast track the process.

You’ll need to fill in the Gas Application form as soon as you can, and make sure the site is at lock-up, completely clean and free of debris. Then, give us a call on 1300 132 480 to let us know when the handover is scheduled to happen – we can let the distributor know the connection’s urgent, but keep in mind they’re booked weeks in advance, so there’s no real way to fast track the process.

Timeframes are set by the meter provider and/or the distributor, and can depend on things like weather and the complexity of your job. But to avoid hold ups, it’s a good idea to submit your forms early in the construction process, and make sure they’re filled out correctly. You should also check that the site is clear and ready, and that the account’s in the client’s name when you submit the initial ‘Request for a new energy account’ form. You’ll find all the forms you need here – just click on your state tab first.

Sometimes, a network field crew need to go onsite along with the electrical contractor to perform works that couldn’t be done otherwise – they may need to disconnect an overhead supply, or connect a new underground connection. The appointment date and time will be pre-booked.

Standard works like solar metering or new connections don’t need a truck appointment – unless there’s something non-standard that needs to be done as well.

If you’re using Origin Connect, you can easily keep track of all the jobs you’ve lodged – as well as the ones submitted by your electrician or plumber. If you’re not yet registered for Origin Connect, we’ll email or text you with updates along the way (like when we’ve processed your application).

You can find information about reading you Electricity or Gas bill in My Account.

A non energy bill is an invoice from us that includes any one-off charges – this could be something like abolishing a meter or altering a supply. 

Reading the bill:

1. Account number
   This is your unique number for each gas and electricity account you have with us – you’ll need it whenever you get in touch with us about your account.


2. New charges
   This is the amount you’ll need to pay.


3. Description
   This gives you an overview of the charge, the address where the works will take place, and what it’s for.

See Meter installation, alteration and abolishment fees for details on network charges.

This type of bill is based on an estimate of the energy you’ve used at your site – and it usually means there was an issue with accessing the meter (like a locked gate). When the distributor is next able to access the meter and get an accurate read, your bill will be adjusted if needed.

Generally no – these jobs usually take longer. This is because appointments are needed and there’s more than one property at the site.

For newer sites, it’s not uncommon for the address to be pending finalisation. But you can check for the most accurate address and you should use that to complete your paperwork.

VIC: www.land.vic.gov.au
NSW: maps.six.nsw.gov.au

See Centralised hot water for apartments for details on centralised hot water supply for your development.

See Centralised electricity for apartments for details on centralised electricity for your development or give us a call on 1800 684 993.

Electricity

If the account was set up in your name and you want to transfer it to your client’s, you’ll need to complete the Account closure and transfer request form (PDF 305 KB). It needs to be signed by the new property owner(s) as well, and include a contact number. If you don’t have a client yet (because you haven’t sold the property or it’s going to be leased) then you can complete a Request a final meter read form (PDF 102 KB). Just keep in mind, final read fees may apply and you’ll need to allow five working days for these requirements to be actioned.

Natural gas

Often, natural gas accounts will already be in your client’s name. But if not, you’ll just need to complete the Account closure and transfer request form (PDF 305 KB) – you can use a single form for both electricity and natural gas. If you don’t have a client yet, you can complete or add the natural gas account to the Request a final meter read form (PDF 102 KB). Just keep in mind, final read fees may apply and you’ll need to allow five clear working days for these requirements to be actioned.

Sometimes, we need to wait for your distributor to send us the final meter information before we can complete a transfer or final read. Once we have this, we can check if the meter’s been read and finalise your account – we’ll try to get this as close as possible to the date you requested. If there’s no information for that date though, we’ll request a meter read and back date the amount you’re billed so it’s as close as it can be to the date you asked for.