Hi there @glennbot, welcome to neighbourhood!
If we're just talking electricity, then a new meter installation woul be a smart meter and those are remotely read. The only reason it would require somebody to attend the property would be if the meter stopped communicating directly, and the meter provider will work with you to arrange an appointment time for something like that.
A gas meter would require manual access to the meter in order to read. Otherwise you can read it yourself and provide those readings to us through your online account or the AGL app.
Thanks,
Mark.