Electricity network connections - Contestable works

Last updated: 4 March 2013

When you want to connect your home, business or other premises to the electricity distribution network, or get more electricity from the distribution network than is possible at the moment, or need to extend the network to reach your premises, you need a suitably qualified person to do the work.

The Electricity Supply Act 1995 gives electricity customers the right to choose who carries out this work. To ensure the distribution network and your connection to the network remain reliable and safe, only Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) may do this kind of work in NSW. The Accredited Service Provider (ASP) scheme is administered by NSW Trade & Investment.

The Code of Practice Contestable Works (98 kb PDF) covers the responsibilities of network operators, accredited service providers and customers in this area.

New fees now apply to ASPs and to people applying to be accredited under the scheme. More information about these new fees is available in the Accredited Service Provider (ASP) scheme – Revised fees (35 kb, PDF).

The Accreditation Scheme

The following work on the electricity distribution network is contestable and must be done by a suitably qualified person:

• designing network assets
• extending or increasing the capacity of the network
• connecting or disconnecting installations
• installing and energising service lines
• installing meters
• relocating network assets

Contestability may also be extended to other capital works requested by and funded by individuals or organisations to suit site developments (such as asset relocations), or required as a result of damage caused by others.

Organisations wishing to apply for accreditation through the ASP scheme should obtain the relevant application forms using the links below.

To help them choose the right person for the job, customers can use the lists of ASPs at the links below. There are separate lists for ASPs who are accredited to perform different types of connection services.

Level 1 - Construction of network assets

You will need a Level 1 ASP to extend the overhead or underground network to reach your property, or if you require the capacity of the existing network (the amount of electricity it can safely supply) to be increased. This may include high and low voltage works, substations and metering.

Download:
List of Level 1 Accredited Service Providers (as at 24 December 2012)  (312 kB PDF)
Level 1 ASP application form (264 kb PDF)

Level 2 - Service work/connection services

You will need a Level 2 ASP to:

• install, repair or maintain the overhead or underground service lines between the electrical wiring on your premises and the electricity network
• install electricity metering equipment
• connect your service lines to the network and make the connection 'live'
• disconnect your premises from the network.

Download:
List of Level 2 Accredited Service Providers (as at 24 December 2012) (593 kB PDF)
Level 2 ASP application form (188 kb PDF)

If you want to be accredited as a Level 2 ASP, more information on the required competencies is contained in the application form. Information about training in these competencies can be obtained from:

• Hunter TAFE: 1800 620 280
• Silverwater Training Centre: email level2asptraining@ausgrid.com.au 
• Electroskills & Electrogroup: (02) 9736 1777

Level 3 - Design of network assets

You will need a Level 3 ASP to design distribution network assets, including underground or overhead.

Download:
List of Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (as at 24 December 2012) (256 kB PDF)
Level 3 ASP application form (126 kb PDF)

Registration of employees or sub-contractors

Employees and sub-contractors of Level 1 and Level 2 ASPs must be suitably qualified and registered with the accreditation scheme before seeking authorisation from the local electricity distributor to work on or near the electricity network.  Employees and sub-contractors must also receive training in the safety and operating procedures of the local electricity distributor. Cancellation of authorisation by an electricity distributor may result in cancellation of accreditation under this scheme.

To register employees or sub-contractors, Level 1 and Level 2 ASPs must complete the following form.

Download:
Level 1 and 2 ASP Registration to be authorised by a distributor form (46kb PDF)

Contact

Customers seeking an ASP should contact:

• Tel: (02) 9895 0008

Applicants making enquiries regarding the scheme should contact:

• Tel: (02) 8281 7780
• Fax: (02) 8281 7750
• Email: asp.scheme@industry.nsw.gov.au

Review of NSW electricity network contestable services

The NSW Government reviewed the ASP scheme in 2009. The final report (293kb PDF) and its recommendations were endorsed by the NSW Government. The Department of Trade and Investment is working to implement the review recommendations to create a stronger accreditation scheme that continues to ensure safety and reliability of NSW electricity networks.