Understanding the National Metering Identifier



When moving to a new house in Australia, knowing your NMI is crucial for timely and hassle-free electricity connection.

The NMI, or National Meter Identifier, is a unique 10 or 11-digit code assigned to every electricity meter. It’s a number used by power companies to accurately connect a customer to their electricity meter and track their power usage.

This code ensures that your home is correctly linked to your bill, allowing distributors to efficiently manage metering and billing processes. While you don't need to memorise your NMI number, understanding its basics and knowing where to find it can make switching electricity providers and managing your bills online easier.

What is a National Metering Identifier?

You might not be familiar with NMI numbers, but they play a vital role in Australia's electricity system.

Your NMI number is a 10 or 11-digit code that provides essential information about your meter, including its location. Here are the key components of an NMI number:

  • Distributor ID: The first two digits identify your electricity distributor, the company responsible for delivering electricity in your area.
  • Meter configuration ID: The next three digits specify the metering setup and characteristics of your meter, such as whether it's an analogue or smart meter.
  • Checksum digit: The last digit is a checksum, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the code.

With this number, electricity retailers and distributors can monitor usage, reconcile billing, and support the National Electricity Market (NEM). For customers, this simplifies switching providers, moving homes, and managing bills.

Your NMI identifies your electricity meter, not you as a customer. So, if you move to a new house, you'll get a new NMI for the different meter there.

However, your NMI stays the same if you upgrade your meter or if your power is temporarily disconnected and then reconnected.

When building a new house, you'll need to get a new electricity meter installed. Your power retailer will then assign a new NMI to this meter.

Why is an NMI important?

The NMI is essential for identifying your electricity connection and collecting your meter’s usage data. Additionally, you may need to provide your NMI in several situations:

You need electrical connection work done

If you need electrical work done at your property, such as a new connection or maintenance, you’ll need to provide your NMI.

You want to switch providers

When it's time to switch to a new electricity provider, your NMI, or National Meter Identifier, is key to ensuring a smooth transition. Before making the switch, it's essential to give your new electricity retailer your NMI to ensure they have the correct meter reading for issuing your first bill.

By supplying this unique identifier, your new provider can easily take over your electricity supply without any interruptions to your power. It’s typically not a mandatory requirement for switching electricity retailers, but it can help.

You need to submit a meter reading

If you choose to submit your meter reading manually, you may need to supply your NMI to ensure the correct data is recorded.

You need to challenge your bill

An unexpectedly high electricity bill might be due to a billing error or an inaccurate meter reading. Your NMI can help resolve this and all you have to do is contact your provider with your NMI to double-check the meter reading and ensure your bill is correct.

If there's a mistake, your provider will adjust your next bill accordingly.

How to find your NMI on your meter

Finding your NMI number on your meter is simple if you know where to look.

  • Analogue meter: The number is usually on a metal plate or sticker attached to the front or side of the meter. It will be labelled “NMI” followed by the 10-digit code.
  • Smart meter: The NMI can be found on the digital display or through your retailer's app. Check your electricity provider’s instructions or contact them for help.

Your NMI is a unique identifier, so be sure to record and provide the full 10-digit code to avoid billing issues or delays.

If you can’t find it on your meter, check your electricity bill. The NMI is typically listed with your account details on the first page or in the technical breakdown section. If you don’t have a bill handy, contact your electricity retailer for assistance.

Contact Compare Energy

Understanding electricity NMI numbers is crucial for managing your electricity in Australia. This unique digital code identifies your electricity meter, ensuring accurate usage tracking and billing.

Whether you're moving homes, switching providers, or disputing bills, your NMI is key to avoiding errors and complications.

Now that you know what an NMI is and where to find it, remember to provide it when necessary, like during a move or when changing providers. This will help ensure a smooth and efficient electricity service, especially when you switch providers with our help.

Contact our Australia-based team at Compare Energy today on 1300 790 106 and we’ll get the ball rolling on helping you with your provider switch.