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Electricity Connections

AusNet Services is responsible for installing new meters and reading and inspecting meters on residential and business premises throughout north and east Victoria.

In the process, we are required to meet detailed government regulations in all areas of customer connections. Read our Electricity Distribution Network Connection Policy.

 

At a glance

As many homes and businesses have similar requirements, we’re able to provide a number of ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions, known as model standing offers.

You can find out more below about the types of connections available, especially the 4 main ones and their applicable standing offers.

 

4 main types of electricity connection

  • Basic connections


    A basic connection applies when your installation:

     

    • Requires no changes to our network (eg new poles, lines, electricity pits)
    • Has no metering or technical issues
    • Has no special requirements for additional power.

     

    For example, you would need to apply for a basic connection under the following circumstances:

     

    • Overhead lines: Powerlines are located on the same side of the street as your property, with poles located within 20 metres and no clearance or property-crossing issues
        
    • Underground lines: An electricity service pit or pillar exists at the boundary of your property, with no property-crossing issues

     

    Getting connected

     

    To arrange a basic connection, please follow the steps below.

     

    1. Contact a Registered Electrical Contractor (electrician) to arrange a property inspection – if there are no problems, your contractor will issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) and Electrical Works Request (EWR)
        
    2. Choose an electricity retailer – for tips and tools on choosing a retailer, please visit: www.yourchoice.vic.gov.au
        
    3. Ask your electrical contractor to forward copies of the CES and EWR to your chosen retailer, who will then send a service order to AusNet Services. Once we’ve received and validated your new connection request, it will take 10 business days to finalise your connection.

     

    If you don’t qualify for a basic connection, we’ll do our best to let you know within 10 business days. You may be directed to request a negotiated connection. 

    You can request a negotiated connection at any stage of the application process, even if you’ve already qualified for a basic connection. 

     

  • Basic embedded generation connections


    A basic embedded generation connection applies when:


    • You're feeding electricity back into our distribution network from a solar power system (or another embedded generation system, such as wind turbines)

    • Your new or upgraded embedded generation system has a maximum capacity of up to 4.6 kVA, or up to 3.5 kVA if connected to a Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) powerline
       
    • Your inverter meets technical requirements – ask your installer for more information
       
    • Our meet all other requirements for a basic connection.

     

    Please note that a battery system may have additional requirements that require pre-approval. For more information, contact: preapprovals@ausnetservices.com.au


    Getting connected

     

    It's important to do the following to arrange a basic embedded generation connection.
     

    Choose an installer, who must be a registered electrical contractor, according to the law; solar installers must be accredited by the Clean Energy Council.
      

    Check that your installer will issue and submit all necessary paperwork to your chosen electricity retailer, including the following:

     

    Tell your electricity retailer about your embedded generation system, such as a solar power system; in turn, your retailer will send a service order to AusNet Services.

     

    Once these steps are complete, we will prepare your meter to work with your new embedded generation system.

     

    For more information about these types of connections, please click through to our section on Embedded Generation.

  • Standard connections

    Applicable from 1 February 2017, standard connections cover those where our network doesn’t quite reach the property. Typically, these would be houses in subdivisions and some semi-rural areas.

     

    Standard connections usually involve:

     

    • Building a service pit then running a powerline underground from a nearby powerpole to that pit. (Pole to pit connection)
       
    • Connecting to an existing underground powerline. (Service joint to pit connection).

       

    Criteria

     

    These connections are covered by a set fee comparable to that charged by other distribution businesses, providing certain conditions are met. These include the:

     

    • Availability of low voltage supply
       
    • Service pit being in safe and technically applicable location
       
    • Customer’s power requirement not exceeding 40 Amp (single phase) or 63 Amp (three phase). With connections to SWER lines, other requirements may apply
       
    • The length of the connection is within AusNet Services requirements. 

     

    Additional charges

     

    In certain circumstances, AusNet Services will charge additional fees for standard connections. These include:

     

    •  A customer requesting a pit in a non-preferred location
       
    • A pit being located where it cannot readily be shared
       
    • A connection that requires a road crossing
       
    • The need to excavate an underground cable
       
    • The requirements for a site-specific Aboriginal cultural heritage, due-diligence assessment. 

  • Negotiated connections

    A negotiated connection applies when your requirements are beyond those covered by a basic embedded generation connection.

     

    More specifically, you will need to apply for a negotiated connection if one or more of the following factors is a consideration:

     

    • Your installation requires changes to our network (e.g. new poles, lines or electricity pits)

    • You have metering or technical issues
       
    • You have significant power requirements, exceeding 100 Amp, or more than 40 Amp per phase
       
    • Your connection is to a Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) powerline – a single-cable powerline seen in some rural and remote areas
       
    • You have an embedded generation system (or other renewable energy source) that could supply our electricity distribution network with more than 4.6 kVA, or more than 3.5 kVA if connected to a SWER powerline
       
    • Your inverter or export system has special technical requirements – ask your installer for more information.

     

    Process

    To begin the negotiated connection process, please call us on 1300 360 795.

    From the commencement of negotiations, we will produce a firm offer stating the costs and connection within an estimated 65 business days.

     

    All proposed embedded generation connections must also satisfy AusNet Services’ safety and technical requirements. For more information, please click through to our section on Embedded Generation.

     

Model standing offers for the 4 main types of connection

To qualify for

BASIC

Connection factors

Yes/No

Network changes needed
- eg new poles, lines, pits

No

Metering/technical issues

No

Special power needs

No

Connection to a SWER powerline

No

Generating renewable energy eg via solar/wind supply

---------------------------------

maximum capacity more than 4.6 kVA (or more than 3.5 kVA if connected to a SWER powerline)

 

inverter has special technical needs

No

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

Model Standing Offer information

Basic

To qualify for

BASIC EMBEDDED GENERATION

Connection factors

Yes/No

Network changes needed
- eg new poles, lines, pits

No

Metering/technical issues

No

Special power needs

No

Connection to a SWER powerline

No

Generating renewable energy eg via solar/wind supply

---------------------------------

maximum capacity more than 4.6 kVA (or more than 3.5 kVA if connected to a SWER powerline)

 

inverter has special technical needs

Yes

 

 

 

No

 

 

 

No

Model Standing Offer information

Basic Micro Embedded Generation

To qualify for

STANDARD

Connection factors

Yes/No

Network changes needed
- eg new poles, lines, pits

Yes

Metering/technical issues

Yes

Special power needs

No

Connection to a SWER powerline

No

Generating renewable energy eg via solar/wind supply

---------------------------------

maximum capacity more than 4.6 kVA (or more than 3.5 kVA if connected to a SWER powerline)

 

inverter has special technical needs

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

Model Standing Offer information

Standard

To qualify for

NEGOTIATED (1 or more)*

Connection factors

Yes/No

Network changes needed
- eg new poles, lines, pits

Yes

Metering/technical issues

Yes

Special power needs

Yes

Connection to a SWER powerline

Yes

Generating renewable energy eg via solar/wind supply

---------------------------------

maximum capacity more than 4.6 kVA (or more than 3.5 kVA if connected to a SWER powerline)

 

inverter has special technical needs

Yes

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

 

Yes

Model Standing Offer information
not applicable

* A negotiated connection applies if you answer ‘yes’ to one or more factors
SWER = Single Wire Earth Return powerline, seen in some rural and remote areas.
The information under the labels on this page will help you see which type of connection applies to you.
And for Government regulations relevant to these types of connections, please read the National Electricity Rules, Chapter 5A ‘Electricity connection for retail customers’

 

Supply Request Forms

 

Other types of electricity connection


  • Turnkey Projects and Dual Occupancy

    Turnkey projects

     

    A Turnkey project is one in which a customer or developer requires either new power supply, or additional supply. In this situation, they typically design and construct the necessary electricity distribution assets, such as power poles. After these assets are commissioned, they are gifted to AusNet Services and we become responsible for maintaining them. 

    Any design and construction contractors involved in such works must be accredited by AusNet Services. This accreditation recognises that they are competent to carry out such works. 

    All design and construction works must also meet AusNet Services minimum technical and safety standards.

     

    Dual occupancy

     

    Dual occupancy developments are defined as two dwellings built on a single lot. These developments typically have access from existing roads and power is supplied via services from the existing low voltage mains.

    Examples of dual occupancy include ‘battle axe,’ multiple occupancy type subdivisions, as well as the redevelopment of commercial premises into multiple residential dwellings.

    In the case of dual occupancy, power is made available to the new dwellings via a low voltage service pit on a common property boundary. However, if three or more dwellings are located on common property within the development, the developer is required to provide a Service Pillar or Distribution Cabinet. Such power supply points must meet Service and Installation Rules.


    Costs

     

    The developer is required to pay a one-off Project Fee for each development proposal. The developer is also required to pay the schedule Network Contribution on a per dwelling basis for service pits.

    If the Developer requires a service pit at a location that is not a common property boundary, they must also pay for sole use of that service pit.

  • Street Lights

    AusNet Services provides street lighting in road reserves, including poles, brackets, lanterns, wiring, control gear and watchman lighting. Currently, we manage around 148,655  street lights across our electricity distribution network.

     

    However, we don’t provide freeway lighting or decide where street lights will be installed. If you have enquiries about either of these matters, please contact:
     

    • VicRoads (freeway lighting)
    • Local council (street light installation)

     

    Costs

     

    If you request one or more new street lights, you will responsible for all installation costs. Some examples where additional lighting may be required include:

     

    • Turnkey Projects (e.g. main roads)
    • Housing estate subdivisions (e.g. minor roads)
    • Watchman lighting (also known as security lighting)

     

    For watchman lighting, you will need to pay an up-front fixed cost that covers the cost of installation and removal when lighting equipment is no longer required.

     

    Reporting a fault

     

    Street light repairs are covered by our guaranteed service level (GSL), meaning you may be eligible to receive compensation of $25 if we don’t repair the fault within two working days.


    Under our GSL, the street light must be located within the AusNet Services network - adjacent to your home or business.

    To report a street light fault, please contact 13 17 99