Switching off your gas connection

Permanent abolishment vs temporary disconnection – What is the difference?

Temporary disconnection

Closing a gas account involves a temporary disconnection. If you just close your account, your gas connection still needs to be maintained and you will still have an active, pressurised gas line on your property which is a safety consideration.

Key points

• A disconnection can be requested when your gas supply is not being used – for example a vacant property or property with no gas appliances.
• You will still have an active, pressurised gas line on your property.
• Disconnection is usually expected to be temporary and gas can be reconnected at any time.
• The gas distributor must still maintain and check your meter periodically.
• The cost of maintaining your service will be distributed to all other gas consumers connected to the network.
• You may continue to receive letters from you gas retailer requesting you sign up.

Costs

Gas disconnection will cost around $185, plus an energy retailer administration fee (for a standard meter). You should also consider asking your gas tradesperson to cap the line on the customer side of the meter when they disconnect the last appliance. This will ensure no gas can inadvertently pass into the house if the meter malfunctions or the ‘tap’ is turned on. If done at the same time as appliance removal, it should cost around $100. If you do it separately, it will also incur a call out fee of between $150 – $300.

Permanent abolishment

Abolishment (also referred to as decommissioning) involves the permanent disconnection of your gas connection and removal of active gas equipment on your property. This is the safest option as it removes all risks associated with having a pressurised gas pipe on your property, including risk of gas leaks and excavation strikes.

This also involves more work than the disconnection process, such as digging up the connection point to cut the service line from the gas main, evacuating gas and removing the meter safely. The process requires at least two people onsite, may require traffic management, site restoration works and between up to two hours of work.

Key points

• Abolishment means the gas service line is disconnected from the gas main and the meter is physically removed from the property. There will no longer be an active pressurised gas line servicing your property which is the safest option.
• Removes the risk of the gas meter failing and leaking gas.
• It also removes the risk of a gas leak from any onsite excavation.
• There are no ongoing service or maintenance charges.
• Only homeowners, or their representatives, can request an abolishment.

Costs

The current fee for a standard residential connection is around $950 (plus an energy retailer administration fee) or about $1,750 (plus an energy retailer administration fee) for a business meter. This fee is regulated and assessed by the Australian Energy Regulator.