Utilities (gas, water, electricity, refuse) in Perth
Moving into a new home is stressful, and apart from the emotional strain and the packing and unpacking that come with the 
change, expats will need to organise all the logistics that allow for a happy home life. Setting up utilities in Perth is pretty straight-forward, but like most places, it’s a process.
Don’t leave connecting your utilities to the last minute. There is nothing worse than spending the first few nights in your new pad brushing your teeth with bottled water and unpacking your furniture by torchlight. Also, bear in mind that you need to transfer the bills from the previous owner’s name to your name. The easiest way to do this is to speak to the real-estate agent or landlord, who will have the details on hand.
Lastly, expats should be aware that Perth suffers from chronic water shortages, and that the cost of electricity has risen by 50 percent since 2009. The increase in prices is a result of an outdated power supply that authorities say will soon be unsafe and unusable.
Synergy is the only provider of residential electricity in Western Australia (WA), and you can easily arrange for your electricity to be connected via their online form.
The Australian government currently offers two forms of renewable energy bonus schemes (REBS) as incentives to increase the use of green energy.
Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - Solar Hot Water Rebate
A non-means tested rebate of 1,000 AUD is available to households that install a solar hot water system, or of 600 AUD to those who install a heat pump hot water system.
Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme
If you are generating your own electricity via your own renewable source, you have the option to sell any excess energy that you produce to the main grid at a rate of 0.07 AUD per kWh.
Unlike electricity, you may have some measure of choice in your gas supplier depending on where you settle down and how much gas you use. The West Australian Office of Energy web site has a list of licensed small-use gas retailers and which areas they supply. The price for gas is fixed by the government and may only increase at the same rate as the consumer price index. If you use a very large amount of natural gas you may be able to negotiate your own contract, but this is highly unlikely.
Similar to electricity, you will be able to take over an already existing account or swap an account online without an interruption to your service. If you need to have gas connected to a recently built home, make sure you contact the supplier at least six weeks before you’re scheduled to move in. Gas mains may have to be extended to your property, meter boxes installed and the equipment set-up and inspected.
In Perth, Alinta Gas is the most prominent supplier of residential gas. Do note that Perth suffers from severe water shortages, and that certain restrictions are in place.
The state government supplies water in Western Australia, so arranging for a new connection is unnecessary. If you are renting, your rent is often inclusive of water, if not, make sure you contact the owner or their agent to arrange for the meter to be read when you move in so you only pay for what you use.
If you are buying then the settlement agent will inform the Water Corporation of your details as the new owner and therefore you don’t need to worry.
There are numerous Internet providers in WA, ranging from large national telecommunications companies like Telstra Bigpond, iinet and iPrimus to smaller, niche Internet service providers like WestNet and Dodo.
Which provider you choose will ultimately depend on your own needs and budget. Be sure to check for package deals that might combine your Internet, phone-line rental and cable TV into one bill.
change, expats will need to organise all the logistics that allow for a happy home life. Setting up utilities in Perth is pretty straight-forward, but like most places, it’s a process.Don’t leave connecting your utilities to the last minute. There is nothing worse than spending the first few nights in your new pad brushing your teeth with bottled water and unpacking your furniture by torchlight. Also, bear in mind that you need to transfer the bills from the previous owner’s name to your name. The easiest way to do this is to speak to the real-estate agent or landlord, who will have the details on hand.
Lastly, expats should be aware that Perth suffers from chronic water shortages, and that the cost of electricity has risen by 50 percent since 2009. The increase in prices is a result of an outdated power supply that authorities say will soon be unsafe and unusable.
Electricity in Perth
Synergy is the only provider of residential electricity in Western Australia (WA), and you can easily arrange for your electricity to be connected via their online form.
The Australian government currently offers two forms of renewable energy bonus schemes (REBS) as incentives to increase the use of green energy.
Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - Solar Hot Water Rebate
A non-means tested rebate of 1,000 AUD is available to households that install a solar hot water system, or of 600 AUD to those who install a heat pump hot water system.
Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme
If you are generating your own electricity via your own renewable source, you have the option to sell any excess energy that you produce to the main grid at a rate of 0.07 AUD per kWh.
Gas in Perth
Unlike electricity, you may have some measure of choice in your gas supplier depending on where you settle down and how much gas you use. The West Australian Office of Energy web site has a list of licensed small-use gas retailers and which areas they supply. The price for gas is fixed by the government and may only increase at the same rate as the consumer price index. If you use a very large amount of natural gas you may be able to negotiate your own contract, but this is highly unlikely.
Similar to electricity, you will be able to take over an already existing account or swap an account online without an interruption to your service. If you need to have gas connected to a recently built home, make sure you contact the supplier at least six weeks before you’re scheduled to move in. Gas mains may have to be extended to your property, meter boxes installed and the equipment set-up and inspected.
In Perth, Alinta Gas is the most prominent supplier of residential gas. Do note that Perth suffers from severe water shortages, and that certain restrictions are in place.
Water in Perth
The state government supplies water in Western Australia, so arranging for a new connection is unnecessary. If you are renting, your rent is often inclusive of water, if not, make sure you contact the owner or their agent to arrange for the meter to be read when you move in so you only pay for what you use.
If you are buying then the settlement agent will inform the Water Corporation of your details as the new owner and therefore you don’t need to worry.
Internet in Perth
There are numerous Internet providers in WA, ranging from large national telecommunications companies like Telstra Bigpond, iinet and iPrimus to smaller, niche Internet service providers like WestNet and Dodo.
Which provider you choose will ultimately depend on your own needs and budget. Be sure to check for package deals that might combine your Internet, phone-line rental and cable TV into one bill.
