Gas meters in Australia explained

Gas is a reliable and responsive source of power, which could explain why more than two million Aussies use natural gas in their homes. Whether it’s for cooking, heating or powering certain appliances, gas has a range of useful functions and is cost-effective.

Households are not billed the same way for gas usage, however, as it depends on several factors. Canstar Blue explains in this guide.

What is a gas meter?

A gas meter is a device that records natural gas consumption in households and businesses, which is then relayed to individual energy retailers for billing purposes. A property’s gas usage is measured in megajoules (MJ). Most gas appliances, such as ovens, will detail their energy consumption in terms of megajoules per hour (MJ/h), meaning an oven with an input of 20 MJ/h will use 20 MJs in one hour.

Gas meter types

The two main types of gas meters in Australia are imperial and metric meters. The type of gas meter connected to a property will depend on the gas pressure available in that specific area and the type of regulator, which is a component on a gas meter that lowers gas pressure . Here are the differences between the two gas meter types:

• Gas imperial meter: Measures gas usage in cubic feet (ft3) with multiple cyclonic, or circular, dials on the display. Gas imperial meters are being phased out and are normally found in older homes.
• Gas metric meter: Measures gas usage in cubic meters (M3) with a digital display of numbers on the panel. Newer homes will be equipped with a gas metric meter.

Where is my gas meter located?

The location of your gas meter will depend on what type of house you live in, as well as when the property was built. If you live in a stand-alone house, your gas meter would usually be positioned on a rear exterior wall or front porch, within proximity of your electricity meter. Older homes may have gas meters located in the garage, hallway, laundry or even under the kitchen sink.

For those living in apartments, townhouses or multi-dwelling buildings, your gas meter could be in the basement, carpark or under the kitchen sink. If your gas meter is located with the others in the building, be sure to look for your unit number. If you’re unsure of its location, contact your body corporate or talk to the building manager.

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How to read your gas meter

Before reading your gas meter, you’ll need to identify which type of meter your property is connected to – imperial or metric. Imperial gas meters tend to be a little trickier as you’ll need to read each dial, while metric gas meters look more like a car odometer.

Imperial gas meter reading

Take note of the pointer on each dial and record the numbers from left to right. If a pointer is positioned between two numbers on a dial, always read the lowest number. Some old imperial gas meters may have an additional two dials on the top or bottom which are for testing purposes only, so disregard them. Once you’ve noted the numbers from each dial, you’ll need to convert it from cubic feet into cubic metres, with one cubic metre roughly equal to 35.3ft3. The meter pictured below reads 7,205ft3, making it about 204M3.

Metric gas meter reading

The meter should have a display panel of about eight numbers with M3 (a reminder that this means cubic metres) next to it. Record each number from left to right, ignoring the numbers in red as these are for testing. You’ll need to move the decimal point within the sequence of numbers two spaces to the right. For example, it may read 17.225, which equals 1,722.5M3. The metric gas meter below reads 1,374 cubic metres.

Who reads your gas meter?

Gas meter readings are carried out by your energy distributor – a company that owns and maintains the gas pipes and infrastructure in your region. Once a representative from the distributor has conducted a meter read, that information will be passed on to your energy retailer who looks after your bills. Distributors normally read gas meters every three months.

How do I find my gas meter number?

Your gas meter number should be listed somewhere on your gas bill, which matches the number that is physically imprinted on your gas meter. Typically, your gas meter number will be located on a faceplate in plain sight, either on top or the bottom of the meter. In NSW, gas meter numbers usually begin with two letters followed by six numbers (e.g. AB123456), while in Victoria, they’ll have four numbers followed by two letters (e.g.. 1234AB).

What are your responsibilities with your gas meter?

You must provide safe and clear access to your gas meter for maintenance, meter readings and supply connections or disconnections. On your gas bill, there should be a scheduled date of the next meter reading, so make sure there are no obstructions present, such as a locked gate or unsecured dog. Failure to provide safe and clear access will result in your energy retailer estimating your next bill.

Can you save money by reading your own meter?

If you’re questioning a recent gas bill, then it could be because your energy retailer has sent you an estimated reading, meaning the bill amount is based on  your property’s historical usage habits. This would normally only happen if the distributor does not have safe and clear access to your gas meter.

However, if you’d prefer to ensure your bills are based on  accurate data from your meter, you can submit an actual meter reading to your energy retailer, either through its website or via an app. This will take a lot of the guesswork out with estimated readings and give you peace of mind when your next bill arrives.

Understanding your gas bill

By having a better understanding of your gas bill, you’ll be able to recognise how much you’re spending, and find ways to reduce overall utility costs. If you’re one of many Aussies who rely on natural gas it’s worth getting familiar with your meter, just in case you ever need to record a reading after a larger than expected bill.

No matter your circumstances, if you haven’t compared gas prices recently, you may be missing out on deals better suited to your budget and needs. Rather than scanning individual gas supplier websites for plans and prices, use our free gas plan comparison tool. You can compare a wide range of gas deals in your area in minutes.