What an embedded network actually is
An embedded network is a private electricity network inside a single site — most commonly an apartment complex, a retirement village, a shopping centre, a caravan or lifestyle park, or a student accommodation block. The site takes one large connection from the grid at a "parent" meter, then distributes power internally to each unit through its own sub-meters. An operator (often engaged by the body corporate or park owner) buys the electricity in bulk and on-sells it to each resident.
The appeal for a building owner is that bulk buying can be cheaper per kWh, and it can simplify shared infrastructure like lifts, car parks and common lighting. The catch for residents is that you are buying from that internal operator rather than from a retailer of your choosing, and the wholesale saving does not always get passed through to your rate.
Why you may not be able to switch
In a normal setup, any licensed retailer can send power to your meter because you are connected directly to the public network. In an embedded network, your meter sits behind the site's parent meter, so an outside retailer cannot simply bill you without a physical or contractual path in. Historically this locked residents in with no alternative and no easy comparison.
The rules have improved. Under national arrangements, embedded network customers have a right to request a supply from an outside retailer, and operators are expected to make that possible — though in practice it can require a meter change and the willingness of a retailer to serve you, so it is not always straightforward. Importantly, the price you are charged is generally capped so it cannot exceed what you would pay on the relevant local standing or default offer, which is a floor of protection even when you cannot shop around.
Rules differ by state and by the type of site — Victoria, for example, has its own embedded network framework, and exempt sellers operate under specific conditions set by the regulator. If you are unsure, that uncertainty itself is a reason to check rather than assume you are stuck.
How to check if you're in one
- Look at your bill: if it comes from the building manager, a body corporate, a park operator or an unfamiliar "energy services" company rather than a mainstream retailer, that is a strong sign.
- Check whether the bill shows a standard retailer name and a National Metering Identifier (NMI) you can use to compare — embedded network bills often lack a normal NMI or list an internal account instead.
- Ask the building manager or operator directly whether the site is an embedded network and who the exempt seller is.
- If you want to leave, ask the operator in writing about your right to request supply from an on-market retailer, and be aware it may involve a meter change.
- Whether or not you can switch, verify you are not being charged above the applicable default offer cap — if you are, raise it with the operator and, if needed, the energy ombudsman in your state.
Your rights and where comparison still helps
Even inside an embedded network you keep core consumer protections: price caps tied to the default offer, access to your state's energy ombudsman for disputes, and rules around disconnection and hardship. You should never be paying more than a standard customer would on the default plan simply because you live behind a shared meter.
If you do have the right to go on-market, a whole-of-market comparison tells you whether it is worth the effort. EnergySorted compares the full market on your real usage for a flat annual fee and takes no retailer commissions, so it can show honestly whether an outside retailer would beat your embedded rate — including cases where, once you factor in a meter change, staying put is the better call. An unbiased number is exactly what you need to make that decision.