To get gas in a new apartment, first ask the agent, developer or strata manager whether it has an individual meter, an embedded gas supply or no gas infrastructure. Activate an existing supply through the relevant retailer or embedded-network provider. A new meter, pipework or gas point requires approval, network confirmation and a licensed NSW gasfitter.
Identify the apartment’s gas supply
Check your sale or tenancy documents, then ask the building manager, developer, landlord or agent which appliances or shared services use gas.
Your apartment may have:
- An individual meter: Ask for the meter number and Meter Installation Registration Number (MIRN), if available. A gas retailer can use these details to identify the premises and open an account.
- An embedded supply: Gas is supplied through a private network within the building. Ask the building manager or owners corporation for the provider’s details and whether other retailer options are available. See the Australian Energy Regulator’s embedded-network guidance.
- Shared central gas: Gas may serve central hot water without supplying gas directly to the apartment. This does not mean you have a cooking or appliance gas point.
- No gas infrastructure: An all-electric apartment may have no meter, consumer pipework or practical connection option.
Do not enter locked meter rooms or service areas. Ask building management to confirm the meter details and arrange access if required. If building plans do not show the pipe route, a licensed gasfitter can establish how concealed gas lines are located safely.
Activate or investigate the connection
For an existing individual meter, contact a gas retailer that serves the address and request activation or reconnection. Provide the full address, apartment number, meter number or MIRN. The retailer will advise whether distributor attendance is required.
For an embedded supply, contact the provider identified by the building manager or owners corporation and follow its account-opening process.
If you rent, obtain the landlord’s or agent’s approval before requesting alterations. Responsibility for installation, connection and usage charges depends on the circumstances and metering; check NSW Fair Trading’s current utility guidance.
If there is no meter or apartment gas line, ask the strata manager or owners corporation whether gas reaches the building and whether a new service, meter position and pipe route can be considered. The steps are similar to arranging a new gas connection for a house, but common property and strata approvals add constraints. The gas retailer or distributor serving the address must also confirm network availability. A new connection is not feasible in every apartment.
Approvals and licensed gas work
Alterations involving common property, shared services, wall penetrations, meter areas or the building exterior may require owners corporation approval under the strata scheme’s approval process. Obtain written approval before work begins and check the current NSW strata renovation guidance.
New or altered consumer gas pipework and gas points must be assessed and completed by a suitably licensed NSW gasfitter, with the required testing and compliance documentation for the work performed. These requirements sit within the standards and rules that apply to NSW gas installations. Do not alter gas pipes, valves, meters or appliances yourself.
If new infrastructure is approved and appears feasible, contact our licensed Sydney gasfitting team for an on-site assessment of the proposed gas point, pipe route and compliance requirements.