A smart meter records electricity use at regular intervals and sends readings remotely to your retailer, so estimated bills and manual meter reads may be reduced. It can support time-of-use or other tariffs, but whether your bill changes depends on your usage, tariff and retailer plan—not simply on having the meter installed. Installation arrangements and any charges vary by state, distributor and retailer, so check the offer and terms before agreeing. For current rules and consumer protections, compare your retailer’s information with guidance from your state energy regulator or energy.gov.au.