Legacy Meter Replacement Plans

What are Legacy Meter Replacement Plans?

The Australian Energy Market Commission published a final determination and final rules for the Accelerating smart meter deployment rule change.

These rules establish a new Legacy Meter Replacement Plan mechanism, which aims to facilitate industry collaboration to deliver smart meters to all National Electricity Market customers by 30 November 2030.

Distributors are required to work with retailers, metering coordinators, and other stakeholders to develop an LMRP that outlines the plan for when legacy meters are scheduled to be replaced with a smart meter in a distributor’s network.

Retailers and metering parties have the option to replace meters ahead of the LMRP meter replacement schedules if they choose to do so.

The role of the AER

The AER is responsible for reviewing LMRPs against the requirements of the National Electricity Rules (NER). We are not required to assess the merits of, or endorse, each LMRP.

If the AER is satisfied that an LMRP is compliant, we are required to approve it and publish it on our website.

If the AER does not approve an LMRP, the distributor must resubmit the LMRP.

Smart meter rollout

For more information about smart meters for consumers and retailers, visit our smart meter rollout hub.

Smart meter rollout

What are the requirements?

The National Electricity Rules require that an LMRP must include a description of the planned replacement program for legacy meters and the process for its development, including:

an outline of the replacement schedule over the LMRP period
an explanation of how the LMRP is consistent with the LMRP objectives and how the local distributor has had regard to the LMRP principles
a description of how the local distributor has engaged with relevant stakeholders (including affected retailers, metering coordinators, relevant local and state governments, and distribution end users or groups representing them), the relevant concerns identified because of this engagement, and how the local distributor has sought to address the identified concerns arising from the engagement.

LMRP period

The LMRP Period is from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2030.

LMRP objective

The replacement of all legacy meters with type 4 metering installations (smart meters) in a timely, cost effective, fair and safe way during the LMRP Period.

LMRP principles

The LMRP principles are that:

approximately 15 -25% of legacy meters should be planned to be replaced in each interim period (each 1-year period beginning on 1 December 2025 within the LMRP Period)
the overall efficiency of the LMRP, including costs and potential cost savings
the impact of the LMRP on retailers and other affected stakeholders
appropriate and efficient workplace planning, including in regional areas.

The rules and requirements

More information about the rules and requirements for LMRPs can be found in Chapter 11 of the National Electricity Rules.

NER Rules

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Evoenergy - Legacy Meter Replacement Plan

Evoenergy’s Legacy Meter Replacement Plan sets out the planned replacement program for the legacy meters in its network.