What is an NMI Number?
15th August 2024
Ever wondered what NMI stands for on your electricity bill? Or, what is it there for? Let’s unpack the NMI number so you can talk the energy talk with more confidence.
A National Metering Identifier or NMI is a unique number used to identify the meter(s) at your home or business. Your NMI should be located on the first page of your electricity bill. At Red Energy, it’s on the first page of your bill in the ‘Your Account Details’ box (see our bill explainer).
So what is it? What does it stand for and why do we need it?
Meet the National Metering Identifier
- NMI stands for National Metering Identifier. If you think about these three words, it’s a little clearer what these 10 and 11-digit NMI numbers are for.
- NMIs are Australia’s system for identifying all those millions of electricity meters (and other electricity connections like street lights and CCTV cameras) at homes and businesses around the country.
- They are issued by local network service providers (the companies responsible for distributing electricity, the ‘poles and wires’) to the energy retailers (like Red Energy).
- Think of your NMI like a serial number or ID for your home’s electricity meter. Around Australia, no two NMIs are the same and they differ slightly in each state. For example in Queensland they usually start with QB whereas in Victoria it always starts with the digit 6.
Here are some of the times that you may need your NMI:
- When connecting electricity at your home, while it’s not mandatory, it can help to give your NMI to your electricity retailer. This ensures the electricity is connected at the right property and ready for you when you move in.
- If you are installing an electricity meter at a newly built property, you’ll need to be issued with an NMI. Your electrician can’t connect your property without one.
- If your electrician needs to submit paperwork for electrical work at your premises, they may need to include your NMI on paperwork.
Not a customer? Join Red Energy today.
Will my NMI ever change?
If you move home and start using a different meter, then your NMI will change. Some of the other times that it could change, even if you’re staying in the same location, include:
- If you demolish and rebuild on your property
- If you’re changing to a high voltage connection (this wouldn’t usually apply on a residential property)
But generally, even if you switch retailers, your NMI will stay the same. This is because your local network service provider issues the number, not the retailer.
The final word
NMIs are unique serial numbers that are given to every electricity connection point in Australia. In most homes, this connection point is your electricity meter. Use your NMI when you need to make changes to your current meter or you want to have your electricity connected.
Join Red today
We’ve been powering what matters to Australians since 2004. Switch or move with Red today.
References
-
About Red Energy
Red Energy is 100% owned by Snowy Hydro Limited, who own, manage, and maintain the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme in New South Wales. Our Customer Solutions team is 100% based in Australia.