The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) clearly states in its Guidance to retailers that consumers have the right to a Type 4A non-communicating smart meter when deploying or replacing smart meters under the National Energy Retail Rules and National Electricity Rules. However, it seems that many retailers are ignoring this and advising customers they have no choice but to accept a smart meter with an active communications card that emits electromagnetic radiation 24/7.
The following extract is from the AER’s Guidance to retailers:
Right to refuse type 4 meters and right to request remote access capabilities be disabled after installation
Customers retain the right to refuse a smart meter with remote access capabilities and functions enabled (type 4 meter) and instead receive a smart meter with remote access disabled (type 4A meter). Customers who have a type 4 meter installed also retain the right to request remote access capabilities and functions be disabled at any time following the smart meter installation.
As part of informing customers of these rights in the Notice, the AER encourages retailers to explain how customers can exercise these rights. (Page 11)
WA’s Western Power, although not part of the national electricity market, also clearly specifies in its FAQ webpage that customers can request to have the communications device removed (with certain exceptions) from their meter at any time.
Unfortunately, in Victoria, where smart meters were mandated via Victorian Government Orders in Council, consumers do not have the same rights as other Australians. Once a smart meter is installed, they rarely are able to have the communications card removed and have meters read manually.
Stop Smart Meters Australia 
Probably the dumbest question anyone will read BUT has anyone living in Vic currently with a smart meter installed had any luck with getting the modem/communicating part removed? We moved to Vic in 2014 and our house already had one installed. This was before I knew how bad they were (and I have since learnt that there are more reasons to be concerned about them apart from the health effects).
I’ve heard of a few people managing this in Victoria but it’s a difficult journey. The Victorian government couldn’t care less about the people whose lives have been destroyed by smart meters. But if you happen to have a power distributor with a bit of a heart, you stand a chance. I think you’d need a doctor’s certificate supporting it.
hi. Any guidance I’m in W.A. I had solar panels installed and then all of a sudden I had a smart meter and they said I had no choice. I had to have a smart meter because I had solar panels
That sucks, doesn’t it.
Solar connected to the grid works perfectly well with a non-communicating smart meter. (Or even an old-style meter, but then you can’t get paid for what you feed into the grid.) I had a non-communicating smart meter with solar for years and was getting paid for what I fed into the grid. A meter man came with a probe and downloaded all the data. (I wasn’t in WA.)
But WA’s FAQ say that you have to be a self-reading customer to have a non-communicating smart meter and customers with solar don’t have the option of opting out of a so-called “advanced” meter.
Kick up a fuss and fight it! Otherwise, WA will never change its policy.
I had solar installed 4 years ago (QLD) no communicating smart meter, I was told by meter reader I have an earlier version of a smart meter but they have to come and read it and it will stay that way ( I said) if I was to connect a battery to my system I have to have a communicating smartmeter…yeah no not happening
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does a type 4 smart meter ( not a 4a), which has had the communications physically disabled ( removal of antenna and hardware) still omit emf? As in Internet/ wifi signals?
what does ‘ Connected MS’ mean ?
The meter said that on the screen that before communications were disabled, yet still says it on the screen after.
I understood that a type 4 meter that has had its communications removed is no longer called a type 4 smart meter. It’s a type 4A meter.
If all the comms have been removed then there shouldn’t be any radiofrequencies so no WiFi. Can you check with a RF meter to make sure? I’ve heard that some of the new smart meters have been constantly sending out 2.4 GHz signals (so WiFi to talk to household appliances) in addition to their smart meter communications.
Can you get it in writing from your retailer what ‘connected MS’ means and post another comment here telling us what their response is?
Here we go again……..Moved to Tasmania to escape the nanny state of Vic in 2016 and have been trying to avoid the same crazy Net Zero nuffnuffs ever since 2017 with some success, until now. Aurora Energy is government owned so very little chance of getting anywhere in this jurisdiction, and their accelerated roll out is full steam ahead regardless of anyone’s circumstances. No point in trying to change retailers here as they all beat to the same drum. Called them this week and no budging after a 45 min phone session……So one more phone session arranged and then if to no avail, the gloves are forced to come off. Signs will be installed and registered letters once again sent out to make it nice and clear………NO CONSENT!!
Only option is a Type 4A meter which is supposedly without comms, but don’t see the point as still a smart meter that will fry you…….only a lot slower.
Have been through the wars in Vic which started in 2012 with full on phone and property harassment by SP AusNet……hope to avoid that here.
Does anyone know if they can legally disconnect now that the opt out is withdrawn and we are challenging them????? Aurora is claiming they can after a subscribed period of time…….whatever that means??
Further advice and any clarity on this matter would be gratefully received and much appreciated.
We do not want to accept this state of affairs but at the same time are getting tired of the constant battle, as we understand that so many also are.
Our rights are at stake as well as our whole lifestyle. We just want to be left alone.
Cheers everyone and thanks for taking the time to read.
Oh, wow. I feel for you.
I’ve never heard of anyone who has actually been disconnected (despite many threats). There are still lots of people in Victoria who have managed to hold on to their old meters despite the Victorian mandate.
Who knows what Aurora thinks it is entitled to do.
Thanks. Have decided to fight for our right to keep our current meter, and it’s encouraging to hear that people in Vic have hung on and kept them off despite all that goes on there…….very encouraging!!!!
Have just drafted a lengthy letter stating our position and will call them again tomorrow to clarify matters……they are extremely well trained and act like they are unaware of customer rights, which means unless you ask they will not offer any relevant information attached to those rights, they have to be pushed hard for any info at all. Convinced they read off a script put in front of them as a lot of the banal spiel thrown our way over the phone, i came upon prior to that on government websites, and, Aurora are owned by the Tas government……….go figure!!!!!!
Will keep this site posted as to how the situation progresses etc,
Cheers and thanks again
Any update?
Looks like they are upping the ante in NSW too – I got this today (Sept 1 2025) from my energy retailer:
“I can confirm as of today, 01 September 2025, new information has been issued by the Australian Energy Regulator regarding consumer rights and smart meters.
Please refer to the link I have attached below.
https://www.aer.gov.au/consumers/smart-meter-rollout/consumer-rights-and-smart-meters“
Anyone want to form an action/support group in Sydney/Central Coast?
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I had to move my bedroom to the other end of the house to get away from the itching and burning in my legs almost every night, causing both discomfort and loss of sleep. It’s been five months now since the move, and I have had no more problems. Sorry I allowed them to put the smart meter in now. Also installed a lead flashing panel on the inside wall directly behind the electricity box. My electrician said one of his customers actually sold her house and moved away due to the problems with her smart meter.
So sorry that you had to go through all this and then had to try and remedy it……just so disgraceful…….and they have the audacity to try and convince us that the emissions are below industry standards blah blah blah. All lies and smokescreens, nothing but. Many others like you, as well as my husband and I have sensitivity and health issues that no one can detect just by looking at us, until we are up against the bombardment of EMF’s, dirty electricity and so on, making our lives a misery, all for the almighty corporate dollar and ultimately total control of our lives.
My husband has been battling cancer for the last 16 yrs with the last episode only a couple of months ago. The risk associated with exposing him to anymore than anyone is unfortunately exposed to in the way of EMF’s etc. in our environment, is way too high also considering his family’s cancer history. He now needs to see his specialist every 4 months as opposed to the previous every 6 months………
Will not compromise my husband’s health, our health, for any entity trying to force their way onto our premises with the intent to install this device.
Depending which state you live in, you can now request that they disable the meter by removing the remote communication card (basically a SIM card like a mobile phone) as mentioned in this SSMA post, and you are perfectly within your rights to do so. This may lower the radiation levels somewhat on top of what you have already done with the shield etc.
No one should be forced to move because of all this enforcement….it’s just criminal.
They are well aware of the dangers of these devices which is why they offer these solutions to try and appease us………they operate purely by stealth and underestimate the public’s awareness.
Keep doing what you can to safeguard yourself and your family.
Cheers and all the best to you
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