What an estimated read is
An estimated read is a guess at your meter reading. When the meter cannot be read, because a gate was locked, a dog was in the yard, or a smart meter stopped sending data, your retailer bills you on an estimate instead, usually based on your usage in the same period last year. The bill must say it is estimated, usually with an "E" next to the reading.
An estimate is not a final charge. When an actual reading is next taken, the difference between what you were billed and what you really used is settled, up or down.
Why the next bill can jump
If the estimate was low, perhaps because last year was milder or your household has grown, you were under-billed, and the actual read brings the whole shortfall onto one bill. A run of estimates makes this worse. A bill that looks like double your usual is often two periods of real usage arriving at once.
Under the national rules, a retailer can base up to three bills in a row on estimates, and must make a reasonable effort to get an actual reading at least once every 12 months. If access is the problem, the retailer may ask you to arrange it.
How to check it
- Find your meter and photograph the reading, with the date visible. See how to read your electricity meter.
- Compare your reading with the one on the bill. If the bill’s reading is higher than your meter, you have been over-billed. If it is lower, a catch-up is coming.
- Divide the usage on the bill by the days in the period, and compare that kilowatt-hours per day with the same bill last year.
- If the estimate is wrong, send your reading and photo to your retailer and ask for the bill to be adjusted.
Your rights
- Adjustment from your own reading
- If you have an older accumulation meter (or a gas meter) and get an estimated bill, you can ask your retailer to adjust it using your own reading. If they reject it, they must tell you why.
- A special meter read
- You can ask for one if you think an estimate is wrong. You can only be charged for it if it shows the bill was right.
- A limit on catch-up bills
- A retailer can generally recover undercharged amounts from only the last nine months (four months in Victoria), unless the undercharge was caused by you refusing access to the meter.
- Time to pay
- You can ask for as long to pay a catch-up bill as the period it covers. The retailer must give it if you ask.
Smart meters and estimates
A smart meter sends its readings remotely, so estimates should be rare. When one appears on a smart meter bill, the usual cause is a communications fault, and the actual data is often stored in the meter and collected later. If estimates keep appearing, ask your retailer to have the meter’s communications checked. See what the smart meter rollout means for you.
Spot it before it costs you
Upload your bills to EnergySorted and we line them up period by period, using usage per day, so a low estimate followed by a catch-up stands out. We cost plans on your real usage. When a catch-up bill covers more than one period, we use the dates printed on it, so a two-period bill is not mistaken for one expensive quarter. Check a bill free, or read is my electricity bill wrong? for the full set of checks.
Frequently asked questions
What does an estimated reading mean on my electricity bill?
Your retailer did not get an actual reading and calculated your usage, usually from the same period last year. It will be corrected at the next actual read.
Why is my bill so high after an estimated read?
Because the estimate was probably too low, and the actual read has brought the shortfall onto this bill. Check whether the previous bill was marked estimated.
Can I give my retailer my own meter reading?
Yes. If you have an older accumulation meter or a gas meter and receive an estimated bill, you can ask for it to be adjusted using your own reading. Send a dated photo.
How many estimated bills can I get in a row?
Under the national rules, up to three in a row. The retailer must try to get an actual reading at least every 12 months.
Can I be charged for a meter reading?
Only for a special read you requested that confirms the bill was right. If it shows the estimate was wrong, you should not pay for it.
Do smart meters have estimated reads?
Rarely. They usually point to a communications fault. Ask your retailer to have the meter checked if estimates keep appearing.
How far back can a catch-up bill go?
Generally nine months under the national rules and four months in Victoria, unless you prevented access to the meter.
Can I pay a big catch-up bill in instalments?
Yes. You can ask for as long to pay it as the period it covers, and if you are struggling to pay at all, ask about a payment plan or hardship program. See help if you can’t afford your bill.