Setting up utilities in a new country is one of those adulting tasks nobody warns you about — and it’s harder when you don’t have a local bank account, local credit history, or know which providers exist. This guide covers the practical steps for the major student destinations.
The Rule of Thumb
If your rent is “bills included,” stop reading — your landlord handles this. If it’s not, you need to set up: electricity + gas (often bundled), water (sometimes included), internet, and sometimes a TV license.
Australia
Electricity & Gas: The National Electricity Market means you can choose providers. The main ones: Origin, AGL, EnergyAustralia, and newer players like OVO and Powershop. Comparison sites: Energy Made Easy (government) or Compare the Market.
- Setup: Online or phone. You’ll need your address, move-in date, and ID (passport + visa grant notice works).
- Connection: Usually same-day or next-day for electricity (it’s already connected — you’re just transferring the account).
- Typical bill: AUD 80–150/month for electricity in a 2-bedroom apartment. Gas (if separate) is AUD 40–80/month.
Internet: NBN (National Broadband Network) is the fixed-line infrastructure. Providers: Aussie Broadband, TPG, Optus, Telstra. Plans: AUD 60–90/month for 50–100 Mbps unlimited.
- Setup: Can take 1–3 weeks. If the previous tenant had an active connection, same-day or next-day may be possible.
- Student hack: Many student apartments and PBSAs include internet. If yours doesn’t, a 5G home broadband plan (AUD 60–70/month, no technician visit required) from Optus or Telstra avoids the wait.
Water: Usually included in rent (tenant only pays for usage, not supply, in most states). If you need to set it up, it’s through the local water utility (Sydney Water, Yarra Valley Water, etc.).
United Kingdom
Electricity & Gas: You’re responsible for the energy supplier. The main ones: British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy, OVO. Comparison: Uswitch or MoneySuperMarket.
- Setup: Online with your address and bank details. There’ll already be a “deemed contract” with the existing supplier — you switch to your chosen supplier.
- Typical bill: £80–150/month for gas + electricity in a 3-bedroom student house.
Internet: Providers: Virgin Media, BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Hyperoptic (fibre). Plans: £25–40/month for 50–200 Mbps.
- Setup: Can take 2–3 weeks. Virgin Media uses its own cable network (separate from the phone line); BT/Sky use the Openreach network.
- Student hack: Look for 9-month student broadband deals (Virgin Media and BT offer them) — you avoid paying for summer months you’re not there.
Water: In England and Wales, you can’t choose — it’s the regional monopoly (Thames Water, Severn Trent, etc.). Tenants typically pay, but in some student houses the landlord covers it. Check your lease.
TV Licence: If you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you need a TV licence (£169.50/year). If you only use Netflix/YouTube, you don’t. The TV Licensing authority sends aggressive letters regardless — you can declare online that you don’t need one.
Council Tax: Full-time students are EXEMPT. You must apply for an exemption certificate from your university. Do this immediately — councils send bills fast.
United States
Electricity: The utility is usually a regional monopoly. The landlord or previous tenant tells you which one. Setup requires an SSN or a deposit (US$100–300 for international students without credit history). Typical bill: US$80–200/month.
Gas: Separate from electricity, same setup process. US$40–100/month in winter (heating), US$15–30/month in summer.
Internet: Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T, Verizon Fios. US$50–80/month. Setup: 1–2 weeks. Self-install kits can avoid the technician wait.
Water, Sewer, Trash: Often included in apartment rent. If not, US$40–80/month combined.
Germany
Electricity: You can choose providers (Stadtwerke, Vattenfall, E.ON, Eprimo). Comparison: Check24 or Verivox. Setup is online but requires German language skills (or a friend’s help). Typical bill: €50–100/month.
Internet: Telekom, Vodafone, 1&1, O2. €25–40/month. Setup can take 2–4 weeks — Germany’s internet infrastructure is slower to activate than most countries. Book early.
Broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): The ARD/ZDF fee of €18.36/month per household, regardless of whether you own a TV or watch German media. Mandatory. You’ll receive a letter — register and pay it (one payment per household, split between flatmates).
Canada
Electricity & Gas: Provincial utilities (Hydro-Québec in Quebec, BC Hydro in British Columbia, Enbridge for gas in Ontario). Setup requires a SIN or deposit. Typical bill: CAD 80–180/month combined.
Internet: Rogers, Bell, Telus, Shaw. CAD 60–90/month. Very competitive — negotiate or use a reseller (Teksavvy, Start.ca) for lower prices.
Key Tips
- Ask the landlord or previous tenant which providers they used — it saves hours of research
- Take meter readings on move-in day and photograph them. You don’t want to pay the previous tenant’s bills
- Split utilities with flatmates: Apps like Splitwise or Tricount handle the math
- Set up a local bank account first — most providers need one for direct debit