Getting the water supply connected at your home in Australia

If you are moving to a house or apartment in Australia, getting the water supply connected on the day you move in will be absolutely essential. Connecting to water and sewage services is fairly straightforward in Australia, especially as there is no real choice for consumers when it comes to the companies that provide water to residential areas. Still, if you are new to the country (or region), we know that setting up your utilities can all feel a bit overwhelming, so we are here to provide you with the basic steps for getting your water supply set up from day one at your new home. We’ve also got some top tips on how to cut down your water bills and save money, so read on!

Whether you are revving up for a big move to Australia from overseas or just relocating within the country, moving house can be a stressful (if exciting!) time. Mixed in with apprehension about new jobs or new schools will be dreams of new neighbourhoods to explore, new restaurants to try, and new friends to meet.

With so much to think about, it is totally understandable that practical details such as getting your water supply and sewage service connected can sometimes slip to the back of your mind. It is worth it, however, to take the necessary steps to ensure that the taps will be running and the toilet will be flushing on the day that you move into your new home. That way you’ll have more time to focus on your new job and new friends when you do get to Australia!

You can also contact Selectra at any time for a free consultation on setting up your water supply as well as other essential home utilities (gas, internet, electricity) in Australia. We can help you get this done (and save you money)!

How do I get my water supply connected in Australia?

Getting water and sewage connected to your new home in Australia might seem like a bit of a hassle, but it really just boils down to one or two easy steps (depending on your situation).

If you are moving within Australia, you need to…

1. Cancel water and sewage at your current address (i.e. the home you are moving out of) - call your water provider and arrange for your water and sewage to be disconnected on the day after you move out. If you forget to disconnect your water and sewage service on time, you might end up paying bills for water that you did not use (after you’ve already moved out!).
2. Arrange for water and sewage service to start at your new address (i.e. the house you are moving into) - call the water provider you will be using at your new home and arrange for the water and sewage to be connected on the day that you move into your new home (you don’t want to be stuck without water!).

If you are moving to Australia from another country, you need to…

1. Arrange for water and sewage service to start at your new address (i.e. the house you are moving into) - call the water provider you will be using at your new home and arrange for the water and sewage to be connected on the day that you move into your new home (you don’t want to be stuck without water!). If you will be renting your new home, your landlord may be able to help you set up water and sewage service before you arrive in Australia…it never hurts to ask for help!

If you are moving into a property that already has existing water and sewage connections (which should be the case unless you are building a brand new home), it is highly likely that these connections will already be set up when you arrive. Most water providers do not switch off water/sewage connections when residents move in or out of a property. All you will usually need to do is contact your water provider and ensure that the bills are sent out in your name. It is a good idea to do this at least a few days in advance before you move in. Once again, you could also contact your landlord or the previous owner if you have questions.

If you are building your own home (or moving into a property without water and sewage connections installed yet) This will likely be much more complicated and time-consuming (and expensive). Your water/sewage provider may have to install infrastructure on your property such as piping, tanks, water meters, and valves. What type of installation is required will depend on the location of your property, the type of property/building, and what local infrastructure is already available.

You should contact your local water provider well in advance for assistance in such cases. You can also speak with any local contractors who are assisting you in developing the property.

Be sure to write down or take a photo of the meter readings both at your current address (if in Australia) and new address so that when you receive your water bills you can check whether you are being charged the correct amount.

Can I choose the water supply provider for my home in Australia?

In a word, no.

Unlike gas and electricity, which have been deregulated in most states/regions of Australia, water and sewage services are state-regulated. The water provider that you will apply to for your water supply (water/sewage) is therefore determined by the state and municipality in which you live. There is no real choice for consumers when it comes to their water supply.

Take a look at this table (below) to check which providers supply water and sewage services to your state/region.

*This list is only intended as a rough guide. Please contact your landlord, real estate agent, or local authority to confirm which water/sewage provider operates in your specific area. Alternatively, get in touch with us at Selectra…we are here ready to help!

How can I save money on my water bills in Australia?

The cost-of-living in Australia is relatively high these days, particularly in cities such as Melbourne and Sydney. Water bills are a considerable expense for many households, averaging in excess of $1000 annually (2021) for families and projected to continue rising in the future.

If you are moving to Australia from another country, you might find water bills in Australia to be relatively high compared to what you are used to (obviously this depends where you are coming from though).

Average Household Water Bills Per Year (By State)

Understanding your water bills in Australia

Understanding how you are billed for your water and sewage services in Australia can help you both with budgeting for this expense and finding ways to reduce your water bills.

How Billing for Water and Sewage Works

Water bills in Australia are normally billed on a quarterly cycle, though monthly billing is sometimes available upon request. Each bill that you receive will include a flat fee for sewage and access to the water supply, plus usage charges (measured in kL) for the actual amount of water that you use. Some regions also bill their customers a state bulk water charge.

Calculating your electricity bill Flat fee for access to water/sewage
+ Usage charges (total kL used x $/1kL usage rate)
+ State bulk water charge*
= YOUR WATER BILL
*If applicable.

Because there is little flexibility with the flat fee for access to water/sewage (as well as the state bulk water charge, if applicable), the main option available to you if you are looking to reduce your water bills in Australia is to cut down on the amount of water that you use (i.e. your usage amount, in kL).

Reducing water usage in Australia - Top Tips!

Australians are among the highest per capita consumers of water in the world.

However, with high water prices contributing to the high overall cost-of-living in the country, many residents are starting to look for simple ways to reduce water usage and save money on their water bills.

Here are some top tips from Australians when it comes to cutting down on your household use of water:

• Check for leaks - even just a small drip from a tap, toilet, or pipe can add up to a lot over time!
• Take shorter showers (ideally 5 minutes or less) - this is a double-whammy, as using less hot water will cut down on both your energy bills and water bills simultaneously!
• Consider a water-efficient shower head - current models can reduce your (hot) water usage by half!
• Install a cistern displacement device into your toilet tank (if you don’t have a dual flush) - this device can reduce unnecessary wastewater volume.
• Plug your sink when washing dishes, rather than letting the water flow. Avoid letting the water flow while brushing your teeth, shaving, etc.
• Wait until your washing machine or dishwasher is completely full - reduce the number of loads and you reduce your amount of overall water usage.
• Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Keeping your grass a bit longer in the summer will also help to reduce evaporation.
• Install rain-water tanks or solar-heated hot water tanks - these are great for the environment too!
• Buy water-efficient appliances - water tanks, cistern displacement devices, water-efficient shower heads, and many other water-efficient appliances can help reduce usage. Contact your local plumber to learn more about water-efficient devices and how to get them installed at your home!

"Turn it off, Bob" We'd also highly recommend checking Sydney Water's very amusing "Turn it Off Bob" video campaign which follows our hero (?) Bob as he wastes water in every way possible and gradually learns the error of his ways. It's sure to be a hit with the kids and might even persuade them to help save water around the house too!

Obviously, which water-saving measures you are actually able to implement at your home will depend on factors such as where you will be living in Australia, how long you will be living there, and whether you are renting or buying the property. Still, it is good to do all you can to save water, both for the sake of the environment and for your pocket. Every little contribution helps!

Here at Selectra we understand that the Australian utility market can seem somewhat confusing when all you want to do is make sure the taps are turned on! Things can be especially confusing if you are new to the country (or state/region). Selectra is here to help! Feel free to contact us at any time for a free consultation on getting your water and sewage hooked up, as well as information on how billing works for these services.

Discounts on your water bills in Australia

In response to the financial pressures that many Australians face these days, the government currently sponsors certain discounts and support programs designed to assist residents with their water bills.

Elderly residents (pensioners) are generally eligible for considerable discounts (up to 50%) on some portion of their water usage charges per year. Lower-income households, particularly those including children, may also be eligible for similar discounts.

If you believe you may qualify for a discount on your water bills, contact your water provider to ask what documentation (concession card, etc.) they will require in order for you to receive your discount.

Making your home in Australia more water-efficient and environmentally-friendly Despite the fact that Australia is a relatively dry country prone to serious droughts, Australians are still among the highest per capita users of water in the world.

Along with high costs, environmental awareness continues to grow, particularly due to some of the difficult circumstances (fires, floods…) the nation has faced in recent years.

While some households take major steps toward greater efficiency such as installing solar hot water heaters or using rainwater tanks to collect water for use in the garden, simply reusing and conserving water whenever possible can also contribute to a more sustainable future. You can also consider purchasing water-efficient appliances whenever possible (speak to your friendly local plumber or visit your local hardware store to learn more).

How can I pay my water bills in Australia?

Water and sewage bills in Australia are generally charged on a quarterly basis (i.e. four times a year, once every three months), though monthly bills are sometimes available upon request.

Not all residences in Australia are on the same quarterly (90-day) billing cycle, so when you move into your home it could take anywhere from 10 to 100 days for your first water bill to arrive in the mail. When it does, however, you will see the dates for which you are being billed clearly indicated on the bill, as well as all charges.

When it comes to paying your water bill in Australia, you will generally have several options (depending on your provider), such as:

• Credit card (online/telephone)
• Direct debit (automatic withdrawals from your bank account or credit card)
• BPAY - another way to pay directly from your bank or credit union account
• At the post office (Australia Post) - you can pay over the counter either in cash or by debit or credit card. You can also pay over the phone.

Many water providers also have the option for you to set up an account page online with them as well to manage payments and services. Some also have apps if you prefer that method.

Pay your water bills on time! If you forget to pay your water bills on time, you may incur additional late fees!

Life gets busy and we all forget the practical things sometimes. Setting up a direct debit from your account or credit card (or similar automatic payment) is a good way to avoid getting stung with those pesky late fees.

What do I need to know about water and water providers in Australia?

Water has become something of a sensitive issue in Australia due to the country’s propensity towards drought, flooding, and fires, compounded by the fact that Australia has very high per capita residential consumption of water.

*Please insert image (embed image to the right?) of drought conditions in Australia…
Caption: Water restrictions are a reality of life in many areas of Australia during summer.

The country’s geography also varies widely, from wetter coastal regions to extremely dry desert regions in the interior. Temperature is also a factor, with certain areas (more so in the north) facing longer, hotter, drier summers and others (more so in the south) experiencing colder winters. Access to water sources is also not evenly distributed across the country.

Demand for water is also highly variable, influenced by both seasonal and regional differences as well as industrial and agricultural sectors. Larger urban centers such as Sydney or Melbourne obviously exert considerable overall demand, but rural areas sometimes face their own issues with access, cost and infrastructure.

Water Restrictions in Australia Droughts can lead to water usage restrictions in parts of Australia that regulate the outdoor usage of water (watering lawns/gardens, washing cars, filling pools, etc.) and ask residents to reduce water consumption whenever possible. These restrictions vary by region and season, so make sure to stay up to date with local advisories.

Water-Related Emergencies

For most problems with water or sewage at your home in Australia (leaks, blockages, etc.), you should contact your local plumber for assistance.

For emergency situations such as flooding, burst pipes, or a sudden loss of water/sewage service, you should contact your water provider immediately. If the situation is dangerous, you should contact emergency services.

Getting your water supply connected in Australia - FAQ