Most Victorians can shop around and choose their energy provider, however, switching is more complicated for consumers in embedded networks.

Electricity

An ordinary electricity bill covers:

• the cost of the electricity consumed
• the cost of using the electricity network (the poles and wires).

If you are in an electricity embedded network, you have the right to choose to buy the electricity you use from a licensed retailer, rather than from the embedded network. However, because of the way embedded networks are set up, you must continue to pay the embedded network owner or operator, not your new retailer, for network-related costs if you choose to switch to a new retailer.

If you successfully switch to a retailer for the electricity you use, your new retailer may incorporate the embedded network charges into the supply charge on your bill or you may receive two bills: one from your retailer (for your electricity usage, distribution to the site and other charges) and one from your embedded network owner or operator for network supply charges.

You may not get any offers from retailers

In order to switch out of an embedded network, you must sign up to a new electricity retailer. Not all retailers offer electricity to consumers who live in embedded networks and therefore not every retailer may be able to accept you.

You may need to replace your meter

To become a customer of a licensed retailer in Victoria, by law you must have an electricity meter that meets certain technical requirements. If you are in an embedded network, your meter may or may not meet these requirements. If it doesn’t, it will need to be replaced before you can switch to a retailer. If your meter needs to be replaced, you will be expected to pay for this. If you’re a renter, you may need permission from your landlord to make any metering changes.

Gas

In general, consumers in gas embedded networks can't switch providers. If you receive gas services via a centralised gas supply within an embedded network (for example, bulk hot water or serviced hot water) you will not able to switch your gas retailer.

In rare cases, embedded network consumers may have a gas meter with a Meter Installation Registration Number (MIRN) for their gas heating. If you have a MIRN, you may be able to switch retailers.

Embedded networks must have an embedded network manager and part of their job is to help consumers who wish to switch, where possible.

Outside of embedded networks, electricity meters each have an identifying number, known as a National Metering Identifier (NMI). These numbers are listed in a national database, the Market Settlement and Transfer Solution (MSATS). This database is used whenever a customer switches to a new retailer. Customers can only switch if they have an NMI.

Usually, electricity meters inside an embedded network do not have NMIs. The embedded network manager’s role is to give customers an NMI for their meter and list it in the national database.