ASP scheme - Frequently asked questions

The ASP scheme is administered by the Office of Energy and Climate Change.

An ASP is a business that employs suitably qualified individuals to:

• connect a home, business or other property to the electricity distribution network
• get more electricity from the distribution network than is possible at the moment
• extend the network to reach a property.

This work may include repairs required by a distributor or increasing power to run additional appliance such as air conditioners.

The Electricity Supply Act 1995 gives electricity customers the right to choose who carries out this work. However, only ASPs may undertake this kind of work in NSW to ensure the distribution network and connection to the network remain reliable and safe.

You will need to contact an ASP which operates in your area. We publish a list for each level of accreditation. The lists are sorted by postcode.

We recommend contacting at least 3 different ASPs to obtain a quote and choose the one best suited to your needs.

Each level of accreditation has different classes that allow the ASP to complete certain jobs on or near the electricity network.

LEVEL 1 - CONSTRUCTION OF NETWORK ASSETS

• Extend the overhead or underground network to reach a property
• Increase the capacity of the existing network (the amount of electricity it can safely supply) - this may include high and low voltage works, poles and substations.

Class 1A – Overhead

Building and/or augmenting the overhead electricity distribution network.

Class 1B – Underground paper lead and polymeric

Building or augmenting the electricity distribution network, where paper lead and/or polymeric underground cables exist.

Class 1C – Underground polymeric only

Building or augmenting the electricity distribution network, where only polymeric underground cables exist.

Class 1X – Non electrically qualified

Electrical trade related works performed by apprentices working on or near the network under direct and constant supervision, persons engaged by a telecommunications network operator, and trades assistant work such as safety observer, rescue assistant and plant operator.

LEVEL 2 - CONNECTION SERVICES

• Install or maintain the overhead or underground service lines between the electrical wiring on a property and the electricity network
• Connect service lines to the network and make the connection 'live'
• Connect or disconnect a property from the network

Level 2 contestable works is separate to metering work and must not be completed as part of any National Electricity Market (NEM) service/work order issued for metering installations.

When a meter installer believes contestable works are required at an installation, they must provide a link to the list of level 2 ASPs to the customer or landlord of the electricity installation, so works can be completed by a level 2 ASP, prior to the meter being installed.

Class 2A - Disconnect and reconnect at connection point

Required to disconnect and/or connect at the connection point – new staff require 2B and/or 2C to obtain 2A

Class 2B - Underground services 

Connecting customers via underground service wires to the distribution electricity network

Class 2C - Overhead services

Connecting customers via overhead service wires to the distribution electricity network

Class 2D - Energising service equipment – including disconnect and reconnect

Energising and deenergising properties at the switchboard (at the network device) at the customer’s request

Class 2X - Non electrically qualified

Electrical trade related works performed by apprentices working on or near the network under direct and constant supervision, persons engaged by a telecommunications network operator, and trades assistant work such as safety observer, rescue assistant and plant operator.

LEVEL 3 – DESIGN OF NETWORK ASSETS

• Design of distribution network assets to be built by a level 1 ASP, including underground or overhead substations and poles.

Class 3A - Design of overhead electricity reticulation

Overhead distribution design works, for the construction and/or augmentation of the overhead network to the customers installation

Class 3B - Design of underground electricity reticulation

Underground distribution design works, for the construction and/or augmentation of the underground network to the customers installation

There are different forms depending on your application. Please check our website to find the form relevant to your needs. Once you have downloaded and completed the form, you will need to email it to us at [email protected]. Please include your type of application and existing ASP number (if relevant) in the subject line.

Please do not edit application forms through a PDF editor. If forms are edited, we may not accept your application.

You may fill in the PDF documents electronically.

The latest version of the application form is always available on our website.

You can print and sign the form, or you can sign with an electronic replica of your actual signature.

You can also provide a signature through the function available in software such as Adobe.

Please note that typing your name in text is not an acceptable way to sign these documents.

The application form needs to be signed by the applicant. Any credit card payment needs to be signed by the cardholder.

The electricity distributors issue authorisation numbers for companies and individuals. We issue accreditation numbers to companies.

On occasion, applicants provide incorrect ASP accreditation numbers. These are normally associated with the company’s authorisation, not the 4-digit ASP accreditation number.

Please refer to your ASP scheme accreditation/renewal of accreditation letter for your accreditation number – it will appear as ASP ####.

For existing ASPs, please put your ASP number and the task you are requesting in the subject line of your email. For example:

Registration requests – “ASP #### - Registration”

Renewal – “ASP #### - Renewal”

Additional Class – “ASP #### - Additional Class”

Regrade – “ASP #### - Regrade”

Change of Details – “ASP #### - Change of details”

For new applications, please put the following:

“New Application - #company name#”

You may cancel your accreditation at any time.

If this decision is made before your company’s accreditation is required to be renewed, please send us an email from the email address you have registered with us.

The email must have the following subject heading:

“ASP #### - Cancellation of accreditation”

If you cancel your company’s accreditation close to your company’s renewal date, you can wait for the renewal application to be received and submit the application with only the cancellation section completed.

Please note that we do not offer refunds if a cancellation is made, including on a pro-rata basis.

We process payment at the completion of our assessment. Once payment is processed no refund is available.

If your company wishes to complete contestable works on a distributor’s electricity network, your company will be required to be accredited with the ASP scheme. Your company can then apply for authorisation from NSW electricity distributors.

Please refer to the relevant application form for the information required.

Note that your business name must be exactly the same as the entity name associated with the ABN.

Ensure the form includes the correct name of the people that are being registered.

For a company to be accredited with the ASP scheme, you will need to provide evidence that the individuals are qualified to complete the ASP functions you wish the company to complete, as well as relevant insurance/insurances and management systems. We do not require management systems to be provided at the time of application.

Your liability insurance (Public and Products) must meet the minimum dollar amount for the level your company is applying for. It must also include the “The Electricity Distributors of NSW” as an Interested Party (with any terms other than Interested Party or Interested Parties not being accepted and resulting in delays to your application).

The required qualifications for individuals will vary depending on the level of accreditation you are seeking. These are listed on the relevant application forms. These vary depending on the level of accreditation you are seeking. You can find specific information about the required evidence on page 3 of the form.  You must also indicate if the person being registered is a subcontractor or an employee.

We will always require a current “Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks” (UETTDRRF11A in the table) for all people being registered at a level 1 and/or level 2 company.

If your company wishes to add subcontractors to the accreditation, you must obtain a letter from their company. This letter needs to specifically state the classes the individual or individuals are currently registered for and provide to your company. For all classes that complete ASP functions, the company providing the staff must also be accredited with the ASP scheme. For non- electrically qualified staff in classes 1X and 2X, the company does not need to be accredited with the ASP scheme.

To prevent duplication, we require photographic identification for all people being registered under the scheme.

We accept the following types of identification:

• Drivers licence
• Australian or other international passport.

The most common issues that prevent processing are:

• Missing qualifications or criteria requirements (criteria is for level 3 applications only)
• Missing information on the application form
• Incorrect insurance details
  • Incorrect insured name
  • Products and Public liability not being listed
  • The Electricity Distributors of NSW not being listed as an Interested Party (Interested Party or Interested Parties being the only acceptable term).

When adding people to the table provided in the application form, we require you to:

• Use the person's correct name
• Choose the class or classes you wish to register them for under your company’s accreditation
  • Please do not forget to indicate if the person is a subcontractor or an employee. Please add:“Y” for sub-contractor“N” for employee

You can pay by entering your credit card on the form.

You can also tick the box electing to make an electronic payment. We will contact you when the assessment is complete and payment is required.

For an individual to work on or near the electricity distributor’s network, they must be registered with the ASP contracted to do that work.

This is a requirement for both employees and subcontractors.

The registration application form needs to include:

• The correct company name that reflects the company’s ASP accreditation details and ABN details
• ASP number
• The correct spelling of the person’s name that you wish to register against your company’s accreditation
• Indicate whether the person is an employee or subcontractor.

Each level and class of accreditation has different requirements  that individuals can be associated with. You can find what qualifications are required  on page 6 of the registration application form. Remember there are different application forms depending on the level you are seeking. This information is available on all the relevant forms.  Identification is also required for the person being registered.

We will always require a current “Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks” (UETTDRRF11A in the table) for all people being registered at a level 1 and/or level 2 company.

For 1X and 2X, the ASP scheme does not require any qualifications, but an identification document is required.

To prevent duplication, we require photographic identification for all people being registered under the scheme.

We accept the following types of identification:

• Drivers licence
• Australian or other international passport.

When adding people to the table provided in the application form, we require you to:

• Use the person's correct name
• Choose the class or classes you wish to register them for under your company’s accreditation
• Please do not forget to indicate if the person is a subcontractor or an employee. Please add:
  • “Y” for sub-contractor
  • “N” for employee

You can pay by entering your credit card on the form or tick the box electing to make an electronic payment and we will contact you when the assessment is complete and payment is required.

The form required varies depending on the ASP level.

Level 1

A dedicated application form is available to be completed for level 1 ASPs, and an independent assessment is required to be completed.

Level 2 and 3

The registration application form is used for both level 2 and level 3 ASPs when an ASP requests an additional class against a company’s accreditation.

All Levels – Subcontractor

If your company wishes to add subcontractors to the accreditation, you must obtain a letter from the company the subcontractors are already registered with that specifically states the classes the individual or individuals are currently registered for. For all classes that complete ASP functions, the company providing the staff must also be accredited with the ASP scheme. The only exception to this is for 1X and 2X as the company does not need to be accredited with the ASP scheme.

All levels of accreditation will receive the following if an application is successful:

• A revised accreditation letter for the company
• A registration letter for individual/individuals that are on the application form.

To prevent duplication, we require photographic identification for all people being registered under the scheme.

We accept the following types of identification:

• Drivers licence
• Australian or other international passport.

The required qualifications for individuals will vary depending on the level of accreditation you are seeking. These are listed on the relevant application forms. These vary depending on the level of accreditation you are seeking. You can find specific information about the required evidence on page 4 of the form. You must also indicate if the person being registered is a subcontractor or an employee.

Be aware that we will always require a current “Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks” (UETTDRRF11A in the table) for all people being registered at a level 1 and/or level 2 company.

For 1X and 2X, the ASP scheme does not currently require any qualifications but identification is required.

You can pay by entering your credit card on the form or tick the box electing to make an electronic payment and we will contact you when the assessment is complete and payment is required.

We will email you the renewal letter and form at least 4 weeks before your accreditation is due. Please return the completed form via email.

You will also receive a reminder email at least 2 weeks before your renewal date. You can ignore this reminder if you have already submitted your renewal form.

Your renewal letter outlines the required information you will need to submit on page 3 of the form.

In summary, we require:

• the completed application for renewal form, including method of payment and any updated details
• Evidence of relevant and current insurance for the level your company is accredited.

You need to ensure you include the following details:

• ABN associated with the accredited company
• Contact details
  • Phone numbers
  • Email address.

We do accept address changes as part of the renewal process. Cross out the old address on the form and replace it with the new address. You can also provide the new address in the body of the email, just make sure you cross out the old address.

As an ASP, you will be required to work on existing distributor owned assets. As a result of completing contestable works, the new assets become part of the distributor’s assets required for operation and maintenance. Your liability insurance needs to recognise the future ownership of the assets so the terms covers all distributors in NSW.

You can find more information on the second page of the renewal letter. This information can also be provided to your insurance company if they do not have “The Electricity Distributors of NSW” as an Interested Party on your insurance certificate.

We do not currently accept any terms other than Interested Party or Interested Parties.

Please complete the cancellation section of the renewal application form and submit it to the ASP scheme.

The email must have the following subject heading:

“ASP #### - Cancellation of accreditation”

Please note that we do not provide pro-rata refunds for cancellations made during the year.

You can pay by entering your credit card on the form or tick the box electing to make an electronic payment and we will contact you when the assessment is complete and payment is required.

An ASP’s grading reflects the fees that can be charged by the distributor to the ASP.

Regrades do not occur automatically. If a level 1 or level 2 ASP wishes to be assessed for a regrade, they must submit an application for assessment.

Level 1

We will engage the distributors and an independent assessor to assess your company’s grade.

Level 2

We will engage the distributors to determine if your company has met the minimum requirement to be regraded.

Before submitting a request to the ASP scheme, please contact the distributor or distributors that your company is authorised to complete contestable works for. Determine if your company has submitted the minimum amount of Notification of Service Works (NOSW) and/or the distributor has completed the minimum amount of inspections in the preceding 12 months.

You will also need to confirm with the distributor how many major defects may have been recorded for your company’s accreditation.

If this information supports a request to be regraded, please make an application to the ASP scheme on the regrade form.