What happens when you switch
Switching your electricity company is quick. It takes about 5 minutes to sign up to Powershop online. It’s also really easy. You don’t need to worry about losing power, sitting on hold with your current retailer, or being billed twice for the same period.
Step-by-step guide
Check out our step-by-step guide outlining the whole process and what you need to do to make the switch (hint: it’s not very much).
1. Sign up online, on the phone, or on your mobile
The first (and pretty much only) thing you need to do to make the switch is to sign up to Powershop. This takes about 5 minutes and you’ll only need your payment details and, if you have one handy, an old electricity bill. If you have any questions before signing up, visit our FAQs page or call us on 1800 462 668.
2. Powershop begins the switching process
As soon as you finish your sign up, Powershop starts working to make your switch happen. We will get in contact with you at this stage if we notice anything that could hold up the process. Generally, these issues are fixed by confirming your electricity meter number; just make sure to check your emails in case we do need some further information (don’t let us get lost in your junk folder).
3. 10 business day cooling off period
Once your sign up is complete you’ll enter a 10 business day cooling off period. This gives you a chance to ask us any questions that you missed when you were doing your initial research. If you decide to cancel in the cooling off period your current retailer will be none the wiser (but we’ll miss you).
4. Powershop starts supplying electricity to your property
After the cooling off period, Powershop gets in contact with the industry body and your current retailer to arrange the switch. This is all done automatically through computer systems that all electricity retailers use. If you live in Victoria or Queensland — great news — Powershop should be supplying electricity to your property within 10 business days after the end of the cooling off period. If you live in NSW you may have to wait a little longer; you’ll be switched on your next scheduled meter read which is performed every 90 days on average. The switch itself is performed by your distribution network operator (find yours here) and the process generally involves reading your electricity meter and updating the operator’s systems. This means that you’ll never need to worry about losing your electricity supply whilst changing retailers.
5. Powershop is officially your retailer
Once we are supplying electricity to your property, your distributor will begin to send us meter readings. If you have a smart meter you’ll be able to track your electricity usage every day. If you don’t have a smart meter we will receive readings every 90 days (on average) when the distribution network operator visits your property, but you’re also more than welcome to enter your own meter readings whenever you want.
6. The switch is complete
At this point you are a Powershop customer and you’ll be able to actively log into your Powershop account to purchase power and track your electricity usage. However, you will receive one final bill from your old retailer that will cover the period up until the day that Powershop started supplying your electricity. You don’t need to worry about being billed twice for the same period, but if you have any concerns please give us a call. The final bill from your old retailer may also include an exit fee, but don’t worry, Powershop will cover this cost up to $75. You just need to send through a copy of your final bill and we will credit your account with the amount of the exit fee up to $75.