Service line down or sparking?
That's Ausgrid's emergency, not a booking. Call 13 13 88, stay at least 8 metres back and call 000 if anyone's in danger. Once it's safe, ask Ausgrid whether the repair falls on its side of the connection point or yours.
Level 2 work, the Newcastle way
Ausgrid's own rules apply
An ASP2's Ausgrid authorisation isn't valid in any other distributor's area, and Ausgrid's service provider guidelines include separate footway rules for the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle City and Port Stephens region. A provider who mostly works on another network may not be set up for Ausgrid jobs.
Rebuilds over old mine workings
Parts of the city sit over old underground coal workings. In a Mine Subsidence District, Subsidence Advisory NSW has to approve building plans before work starts, and its conditions can cover materials and methods. Time the new connection around that approval.
Reconnecting after a flood
Flooding can affect up to a third of Newcastle properties. Ausgrid says a flood-damaged property must be checked before power goes back on, so the electrician's inspection comes before any reconnection.
Private poles on bushy blocks
Ausgrid patrols private poles and overhead lines in bush fire prone areas, and owners have 30 days to respond to a defect notice. You can check whether your block is mapped as bush fire prone with the RFS online tool or on a Section 10.7 planning certificate.
Newcastle jobs that usually involve a Level 2
- A knockdown rebuild, or a new house on a subdivided block.
- Moving from single-phase to three-phase, often for a bigger solar system. Ausgrid's flexible export option allows up to 10 kW from a single phase home and up to 30 kW from a three phase home.
- Fixing a defect on a private pole or private overhead wires.
- Moving the meter box during a terrace renovation, where the supply has to be disconnected and reconnected.
- Taking an overhead line underground. Underground power covers the options.
Meters are your retailer's job
On Ausgrid's network the retailer, not Ausgrid, arranges new and replacement meters through its approved installer, and every meter installed since 1 December 2017 has had to be a smart meter. If yours is faulty, report it to the retailer, which should arrange a replacement within 15 business days.
The Level 2 looks after the connection around the meter. The licensed electrician looks after everything on your side of it, and lodges the Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) for that part.
Checking a provider before you book
Search the NSW ASP Scheme portal at aspscheme.energy.nsw.gov.au and check that the provider's level and class suit your job. Then ask them to confirm their Ausgrid authorisation is current.
Ausgrid makes ASP2 companies guarantee completed contestable work against defects in materials or workmanship for 3 years, so ask how they'd handle a callback. Energy NSW suggests getting at least three quotes for connection work, and you're free to compare whoever we match you with.
How we'd run a Newcastle connection job
We'd find out whether the job needs an Ausgrid connection application before asking anyone to quote. Then we'd check the provider on the ASP portal and ask about their Ausgrid authorisation by name. On a rebuild in a subsidence district, we'd get the plans approved first and book the connection after, not the other way round.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.