Estimated energy bills

An estimated electricity or gas bill is based on your property's previous usage pattern. The period for the estimate will either be from the previous year, or closest bill period depending on the information the network has available.

If we're unable to obtain a proper meter reading during your billing cycle, we'll send you an estimate for that period.

You can tell if you've received an estimate on your bill in the section 'Understand your bill'. There you'll see a 'Read type' listed as either 'Actual' or 'Estimate'.

The most common reason for receiving an estimated bill is if the meter reader was unable to access your electricity or gas meter. This could be due to overgrown fauna or grass, locked gates, unrestrained pets, or wild weather.

It's also possible that the meter reader hasn't provided us with your meter data in the scheduled timeframe.

It's important to locate your meter and make sure it's accessible, especially when it's scheduled to be read.

You may also be eligible for a smart meter upgrade which greatly reduces the chance of receiving estimated bills. Alinta Energy offers a free upgrade service for customers looking to switch to a smart meter.

If you have a basic meter, you can submit your own meter reading if you're unhappy with an estimate you've received. A self meter read will be assessed and we will send you an adjusted bill if the reading is approved.

The quickest and easiest way to submit a meter read is via MyAccount. Alternatively, you can also submit via our online forms for electricity and gas readings.