If you’re building a new home, upgrading your power supply, or relocating a service, you’ll need a Level 2 ASP. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.
What is a Level 2 ASP?
A Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) is a licensed contractor authorised by NSW energy distributors — Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, and Essential Energy — to carry out work on the electrical network between the street and your property’s main switchboard.
This includes:
- Installing or relocating overhead or underground service lines
- Upgrading your service from single-phase to three-phase
- Connecting new homes and subdivisions to the grid
- Disconnecting or reconnecting power for demolition, renovation, or sale
Level 2 ASPs hold formal accreditation from the distributor and are separately licensed by NSW Fair Trading. Not every electrician is a Level 2 ASP — you must specifically seek out an accredited provider.
When Do You Need a Level 2 ASP?
You’ll need a Level 2 ASP any time work is required on the service line — the cable that runs from the street pole or underground pit to your meter. Common scenarios include:
New home construction: The builder’s electrician installs wiring inside the house. But the connection from the street to the meter box requires a Level 2 ASP.
Power upgrades: If you’re adding a large workshop, EV charger, solar system, or industrial equipment that exceeds your current supply capacity, a Level 2 ASP can upgrade your service.
Pole or line relocation: Renovations sometimes require moving the service entry point. This is always a Level 2 ASP job.
Disconnection and reconnection: Selling a property, demolishing a structure, or performing major renovation work often requires a temporary disconnection. Only a Level 2 ASP can disconnect from the network.
The Step-by-Step Process
1. Assessment and Design
The Level 2 ASP visits the site, assesses the existing network infrastructure, and determines what work is needed. For anything beyond a simple reconnection, a design package is prepared and submitted to the distributor for approval.
2. DNSP Approval
The Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) reviews the design and issues a Notice to Connect or work approval. Turnaround times vary — simple jobs can be approved in days, complex network augmentations may take weeks.
3. Scheduling and Construction
Once approved, the Level 2 ASP coordinates the physical works. This may involve:
- Erecting or removing poles
- Running overhead or underground cables
- Installing metering equipment
- Coordinating a planned outage with the distributor if live network work is required
4. Testing and Certification
After construction, the ASP tests all work to distributor standards and issues a Certificate of Compliance — Electrical Work (CCEW). This certificate is required before the distributor will energise the connection.
5. Energisation
The distributor energises the connection (turns the power on). For new connections, this is coordinated with the meter installer and retailer.
How Long Does It Take?
A straightforward residential reconnection can be completed in a day. New subdivision connections or network augmentation projects may take several weeks, depending on distributor approval times and construction complexity.
How to Choose a Level 2 ASP
Check that your ASP holds current accreditation with the relevant distributor for your area:
- Ausgrid — most of metropolitan Sydney and the Hunter
- Endeavour Energy — western Sydney, the Illawarra, and southern NSW
- Essential Energy — regional and rural NSW
Always ask for the ASP’s accreditation number and verify it with the distributor before work begins.
Mackex Services holds Level 1 and Level 2 ASP accreditation across all three NSW distribution networks. If you have a project requiring network connection work, contact our team for an obligation-free assessment.