Authorisation

An individual that is required to work on or near Ausgrid's electricity network must meet the training requirements outlined in this authorisation. This authorisation sets the minimum requirements for all other authorisations with exception to Accredited Service Provider Authorisation Level 3 (ASP/3). 

Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible to be authorised to work on or near Ausgrid's electricity network:

• an Ausgrid employee
• an Accredited Service Provider (ASP)
• a contractor to Ausgrid.

Employees of other electrical network operators are permitted to undertake work on or near Ausgrid’s electricity network in specific circumstances. For further information please email our Electrical Safety and Authorisations Group. This statement does not apply to employees of an affiliated entity of another electrical network operator.

Third parties that are required to work in the vicinity of Ausgrid’s electricity network, but are not conducting work related to Ausgrid’s electricity network, must follow the requirements of SafeWork NSW, in particular the documents below. These parties are generally not required to be authorised with Ausgrid and are not permitted to access Ausgrid assets such as poles, streetlight standards, pillars, underground pits etc.

• WorkCover (SafeWork) NSW Code of Practice - Work Near Overhead Power Lines
• WorkCover (SafeWork) NSW Guide – Work Near Underground Assets; or
• NSW Mining Regulations.

Pre-requisite requirement

• individual must hold a “SafeWork NSW General Construction Induction (White Card)” or an interstate equivalent; and
• meet the eligibility criteria listed above.

How to become authorised

• individual is required to complete Ausgrid specific training courses and training in national units of competencies as nominated in the Authorisation Qualification and Training Matrix. Evidence of authorisation is validated by stamps in the individuals Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) Passport, certificates or training cards issued from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
• authorisation is granted once the individual is deemed competent in all the required training courses and has completed the relevant authorisation process i.e. Ausgrid contractor, ASP etc.

Find out more in our Training Section.

How to maintain this authorisation

• it is the responsibility of the authorised individual to maintain the required training to be deemed authorised to work on or near Ausgrid's electricity network
• regulatory training is only valid for a period of 12-months, therefore requires an annual refresher
• individual is required to complete Ausgrid specific refresher training courses and refresher training in the national units of competencies as nominated in the Authorisation Qualification and Training Matrix
• evidence of training and/or authorisation may be via by stamps in the individuals Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) Passport, certificates or training cards issued from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

Find out more in our Training Section.

Accreditation is the process of ensuring that a company and individual wishing to carry out contestable work, has the necessary level of skills, resources and insurance to undertake such work and to complete the work in a safe and reliable manner.

Each company wishing to undertake contestable work in Ausgrid’s network area is required to be accredited at the appropriate level/s for the contestable works they wish to undertake.

Authorisation is required prior to an individual and/or company being permitted to access or undertake work, on or near Ausgrid's electricity network. 

The Accreditation scheme in NSW is managed by the Office of Energy and Climate Change.

Further information can be found below:

• Ausgrid ES4-Accredited-Service-Provider-Authorisation

• Accredited Service Provider (ASP) Scheme and contestable works

• NSW Accredited Service Provider (ASP) Scheme Rules

Ausgrid requires both the ASP/1 company and all their workers and sub-contractors that wish to undertake Level 1 contestable work to be authorised.  

ASP/1 company authorisation 

Follow the steps below to apply for, or maintain ASP/1 company authorisation.

Check your eligibility

Any ASP/1 company who holds current accreditation with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and is required to undertake contestable work in Ausgrid's network area can apply for authorisation.

Pre-requisite requirements: An ASP/1 company must be currently accredited with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in the appropriate class/es for the contestable works they wish to undertake.  

How to apply for initial ASP/1 company authorisation

Company authorisation requires the ASP/1 company to register in the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System and provide all documentation required for ASP/1 company authorisation. Details on how to register are provided at the point of registration.

Before you start To complete authorisation you will need to provide the following documentation: A signed ASP Level 1 Authorisation Agreement (Vegetation Management companies must use ASP Level 1 Contestable Vegetation Management Authorisation Agreement) with Ausgrid; and Provision of suitable security in the form of a bank guarantee to cover the rectification of defects, completion of unfinished work, or any other condition specified in the ASP Level 1 Authorisation Agreement. (Note: Not required for Class 1X ASPs.) ASP/1 companies must hold or cause their Authorised Field Recorder(s) to hold, professional indemnity insurance (PII) where the ASP/1 company has caused their authorised field recorder to hold PII, the ASP/1 company must be listed as an interested party on the authorised field recorders policy. Note: not required for Class 1A only or 1X only companies. A Office of Energy and Climate Change Accreditation letter.

What happens next?

To ensure that companies understand their requirements and responsibilities when working on or near Ausgrid’s network as an authorised ASP/1, Ausgrid will require new ASP/1 companies to attend an initial meeting with Ausgrid as part of the initial authorisation process.

This meeting is aimed at providing the company with information for working safely on or near Ausgrid’s network, Ausgrid procedures and processes relevant to their work, and allow them to ask any questions they may have regarding ASP authorisation and compliance.

How to maintain ASP/1 company authorisation

ASP/1 company authorisation is issued for a period of 12 months only, therefore requires an annual renewal.

Before you start your renewal Prior to the authorisation expiry date an ASP/1 company will need to submit to Ausgrid: An original signed ASP/1 Authorisation Agreement   - Note: Vegetation Management companies must use ASP Level 1 Contestable Vegetation Management Authorisation Agreement. This agreement is executed and returned to the ASP/1 company and updated in the ASP Authorisation Management System. A Office of Energy and Climate Change Accreditation letter.   Login to the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System   ASP/1 companies must ensure currency of their documentation in the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System to maintain ASP/1 company authorisation.

ASP/1 individual authorisation

Ausgrid requires all workers and sub-contractors that wish to undertake Level 1 contestable work to be authorised.

The classes of ASP/1 Authorisation are as follows:

• Class 1A - Line Worker
• Class 1B - Cable Jointer (paper lead and polymeric cables)
• Class 1C - Cable Jointer (polymeric cables only)
• Class 1Xd - Electrician
• Class 1Xe - Contestable Works Assistant
• Class 1Xf - Telecommunications worker
• Class 1Xg (E) – Apprentice Electrician
• Class 1Xg (J) – Apprentice Cable Jointer
• Class 1Xg (L) – Apprentice Line Worker
• Class 1Xh (E) - Vegetation worker EWP controller
• Class 1Xh (G) – Vegetation worker Ground controller
• Class 1Xh (T) – Vegetation worker Tree climber
• Class 1Xi - NECF notification officer

For information on the requirements of ASP/1 Authorisation refer to Ausgrid's Network Standard ES4 Accredited Service Provider Authorisation.

How to apply for initial ASP/1 Individual Authorisation

• Applications for individuals must be via an authorised ASP company in the ASP Authorisation Management System.
• ASP companies must register an individual in the ASP Authorisation Management System and assign relevant role(s) to the individual.
• The roles in the ASP Authorisation Management System represent the class/es of ASP authorisation and list all relevant training and competency requirements for that authorisation.

Before you start To complete individual authorisation you will need to provide an Individual ASP/1 authorisation agreement, (Vegetation management workers must use Individual ASP/1 Agreement for Authorisation - Vegetation Worker)

How to maintain ASP/1 individual authorisation

To maintain an ASP/1 individual authorisation, all mandatory training and competencies required for that authorisation must be current. Where any training or competency requires refresher training suitable evidence must be provided prior to it expiring.

Where any mandatory training or competency has expired the ASP/1 individual authorisation becomes non-compliant and the individual must not work on any Level 1 contestable projects on Ausgrid’s network until the training or competency has been refreshed and evidence verified in the ASP Authorisation Management System.

Before you start you renewal To maintain authorisation the ASP/1 company must supply training and competence evidence, which will be verified in the ASP Authorisation Management System. Login to the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System

For any enquiries please email ausgrid@pegasus.net.au or call 1300 208 498.

Accredited Service Providers Level 2 (ASP/2) are authorised to provide services involving the contestable installation of overhead/underground services, the disconnection and reconnection of supply to carry out work on an installation and energising installations.

Ausgrid requires both the ASP/2 company and all their workers and sub-contractors that wish to undertake Level 2 contestable service work to be authorised. 

ASP/2 company authorisation

Ausgrid requires all companies that wish to undertake Level 2 contestable work to be authorised.

Check your eligibility

Any ASP/2 company who holds current accreditation with the Office of Energy and Climate Change and is required to undertake contestable work in Ausgrid's network area.

Pre-requisite requirements: An ASP/2 company must be currently accredited with the Office of Energy and Climate Change in the appropriate class/es for the contestable works they wish to undertake.

How to apply for initial ASP/2 company authorisation

Company authorisation requires the ASP/2 company to register in the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System and provide all documentation required for ASP/2 company authorisation. 

The steps to registration are provided when you register.

Before you start To complete authorisation you will need to provide the following documentation: A signed ASP Level 2 Company Authorisation Agreement with Ausgrid A Office of Energy and Climate Change Accreditation letter.

What happens next?

To ensure that companies understand their requirements and responsibilities when working on or near Ausgrid’s network as an authorised ASP/2, Ausgrid will require new ASP/2 companies to attend an initial meeting with Ausgrid as part of the initial authorisation process. This meeting is aimed at providing the company with information for working safely on or near Ausgrid’s network, Ausgrid procedures and processes relevant to their work, and allow them to ask any questions they may have regarding ASP authorisation and compliance.

How to maintain ASP/2 company authorisation

ASP/2 company authorisation is issued for a period of 12-months only, therefore requires an annual renewal.

Before you start your renewal Prior to the authorisation expiry date an ASP/1 company will need to upload the following documentation in the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System:  An original signed ASP/2 Authorisation Agreement. This agreement is executed and returned to the ASP/2 company and updated in the ASP Authorisation Management System.  A NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change Accreditation letter. Login to the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System ASP/2 companies must ensure currency of their documentation in the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System to maintain ASP/2 company authorisation.

ASP/2 individual authorisation

Ausgrid requires both the ASP/2 company and all their workers and sub-contractors that wish to undertake Level 2 contestable work to be authorised. 

The classes of ASP/2 Authorisation are as follows:

• Class 2A – disconnect and reconnection (D&R)
• Class 2B – underground services
• Class 2C – overhead services
• Class 2D – metering & energising installations
• Class 2Xd - Electrically Qualified Observer
• Class 2Xe (A) - Non-electrically Qualified Apprentice
• Class 2Xe - Non-Electrically Qualified
• Class 2Xf - Telecommunications Worker
   

For information on the requirements of ASP/2 Authorisation refer to Ausgrid's ES4 Accredited Service Provider Authorisation.

How to apply for initial ASP/2 Individual Authorisation

• Applications for individuals must be via an authorised ASP company in the ASP Authorisation Management System.
• ASP companies must register an individual in the ASP Authorisation Management System and assign relevant role(s) to the individual. (The roles in the ASP Authorisation Management System represent the class/es of ASP authorisation and list all relevant training and competency requirements for that authorisation.)

Before you start To complete individual authorisation you will need to provide an Individual ASP/2 Authorsation Agreement.

How to maintain ASP/2 individual authorisation

To maintain an ASP/2 individual authorisation, all mandatory training and competencies required for that authorisation must be current. Where any training or competency requires refresher training suitable evidence must be provided prior to it expiring.  Where any mandatory training or competency has expired the ASP/2 individual authorisation becomes non-compliant and the individual must not perform any Level 2 contestable work on Ausgrid’s network until the training or competency has been refreshed and evidence verified in the ASP Authorisation Management System.

Before you start To maintain authorisation the ASP/2 company must supply training and competence evidence, which will be verified in the ASP Authorisation Management System. Login to the Ausgrid ASP Authorisation Management System

For any enquiries please email ausgrid@pegasus.net.au or call 1300 208 498.

Accredited Service Providers Level 3 (ASP/3) are authorised to provide services involving the design of electrical reticulation systems to be constructed as contestable works.

Ausgrid requires workers and sub-contractors that wish to undertake Level 3 contestable work to be authorised.

The classes of ASP/3 authorisation are as follows:

• Class 3A – design of overhead electricity reticulation
• Class 3B – design of underground electricity reticulation

 

For information on the requirements of ASP/3 Authorisation, including how to apply, refer to Ausgrid’s Network Standard ES4 Accredited Service Provider Authorisation, Section 13.

For any enquiries, please email Asplevel3@ausgrid.com.au

How to apply for ASP/3 individual authorisation

Individual authorisation requires the individual to provide the following documentation and any supporting documentation via email to asplevel3@ausgrid.com.au

• completed Annexure R - ASP3 Authorisation Application or Change of Details Form
  
  

How to renew ASP/3 individual authorisation

ASP/3 individual authorisation is issued for a period of 24-months only, therefore requires a biennial renewal.

Individual re-authorisation requires the individual to provide the following documentation and all supporting documentation via email to Asplevel3@ausgrid.com.au

• completed Annexure R - ASP3 Authorisation Application or Change of Details Form

An individual that is required to be the recipient of an Ausgrid issued access permit must be specifically authorised to do so.

There are two levels of Access Permit Receiver Authorisation:

• access permit receiver - unrestricted
• access permit receiver - restricted. Restricts recipient to receiving access permits where tape barriers are not required at their worksite.
  
  

Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible to be authorised as an access permit receiver:

• an Ausgrid employee
• an authorised ASP/1 who is an electrical worker (e.g. lineworker, cable jointer or electrical technician)
• an authorised contractor to Ausgrid.
  
  

Pre-requisite training

• individual must be current in the training required to be deemed authorised to work on or near Ausgrid's electricity network
• meet the eligibility criteria for this authorisation listed above.
  
  

How to become authorised

• individual is required to complete the Ausgrid specific Access Permit Receiver training course relevant to the level of authorisation they wish to obtain. To book training, email training@ausgrid.com.au.
• access permit receiver authorisation is granted once the individual is deemed competent in the Ausgrid specific Access Permit Receiver training course relevant to the level of training completed. Evidence of authorisation is via a stamp in the individuals Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) Passport.
  
  

How to maintain this authorisation

• access permit receiver re-authorisation is issued for a period of 12-months only, therefore requires an annual refresher
• individuals must be current in the training courses required to be deemed authorised to work on or near Ausgrid's electricity network
• individual is required to complete the Ausgrid specific Access Permit Receiver Refresher training course. There is only one Access Permit Receiver Refresher training course and it refreshers both the access permit receiver – restricted and access permit receiver – unrestricted authorisations. To book training, email training@ausgrid.com.au
• access permit receiver re-authorisation is granted once the individual is deemed competent in the Ausgrid specific Access Permit Receiver Refresher training course. Evidence of authorisation is via a stamp in the individuals Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) Passport.

 

 

An individual that is required to apply and/or remove overhead earthing equipment on Ausgrid’s overhead mains must be specifically authorised to do so.

There are two levels of "apply and/or remove overhead earthing equipment" authorisation:

• apply and remove overhead earthing – from a ladder or a poler; and
• apply and remove overhead earthing – from an elevated work platform (EWP).

 

Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible to be authorised to apply and/or remove overhead earthing equipment:

• an authorised Ausgrid employee who is an electrical worker (e.g. lineworker, cable jointer or electrical technician)
• an authorised Level 1 ASP who is an electrical worker (e.g. lineworker, cable jointer or electrical technician) or
• an authorised contractor to Ausgrid who is an electrical worker (e.g. lineworker, cable jointer or electrical technician).

 

Pre-requisite requirements

• individuals must be current in the training required to be deemed “authorised to work on or near” Ausgrid's electricity network; and
• meet the eligibility criteria for this authorisation listed above.

 

How to become authorised

• individuals are required to attend the Ausgrid specific Application of Overhead Access Permit and Working Earths training course relevant to the level of authorisation they wish to obtain. To book training, email training@ausgrid.com.au
• apply and/or remove overhead earthing equipment authorisation is granted once the individual is deemed competent in the above training course. Evidence of authorisation is via a stamp in the individuals Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) Passport.

 

How to maintain this authorisation

• apply and/or remove overhead earthing equipment re-authorisation remains current whilst the individual maintains current in the training required to be deemed “authorised to work on or near” Ausgrid's electricity network and maintain their relevant category of authorisation required for the task i.e. Ausgrid contractor, ASP etc.

An individual that is required to undertake the field recording of network assets that are going to be connected to the Ausgrid electricity network must be specifically authorised to do so.

For information on authorisation, including how to apply, refer to Ausgrid’s ES4 accredited service provider authorisation, Section 8.9.

For enquiries, please email ElectricalAuthorisations@ausgrid.com.au

Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible to be authorised to undertake the field recording of network assets

• Diploma (or higher qualification) in Electrical Engineering; or
• Diploma (or higher qualification) in Civil Engineering; or
• Diploma (or higher qualification) in Geographic Information System (GIS); or
• Diploma (or higher qualification) in Mapping; or
• Diploma (or higher qualification) in Drafting; or
• Diploma (or higher qualification) in Surveying; or
• Hold a letter from their employer confirming the individual’s employment and detailing any experience the applicant has in field recording of assets.

Pre-requisite requirements

• individual must be current in the training required to be deemed “Authorised to Work on or Near” the Ausgrid electricity network
• individual is required to complete the Ausgrid specific SC1100A - Safe Work Near Underground Assets training course. 
• individual is required to complete the Ausgrid specific AMGS0001 - Field recording of Network Assets training course. To book training send an email to training@ausgrid.com.au.
• meet the eligibility criteria for this authorisation listed above.

How to become authorised

Individual authorisation requires the individual to provide the following documentation and all supporting documentation via email to ElectricalAuthorisations@ausgrid.com.au.

• Submit a completed Request for Field Recording of Network Assets Application Form
• Ausgrid will review the supplied documentation and if acceptable the individual will be granted Field Recording of Network Assets Authorisation. A Field Recording of Network Assets Authorisation card will be posted out to the individual.

How to renew this authorisation

Field recording of network assets authorisation is issued for a period of 12-months only, therefore requires an annual renewal. Authorisation renewal requires the individual to provide the following documentation and all supporting documentation via email to ElectricalAuthorisations@ausgrid.com.au.

• To renew your authorisation complete a Request for Field Recording of Network Assets Application Form and email with supporting documentation to ElectricalAuthorisations@ausgrid.com.au.

• An individual must be current in the training required to be deemed “Authorised to Work on or Near” the Ausgrid electricity network
• Ausgrid will review the supplied documentation and if acceptable the individuals Field Recording of Network Assets Authorisation will be renewed.
• An updated Field Recording of Network Assets Authorisation card will be posted out to the individual.