Energy
Accreditation
The Electricity Supply Act 1995 provides the framework for introducing competition into the previously monopolistic areas of design, construction and installation of electricity works.
Under the Act, customers are required to fund certain works which are required to enable new or expanded connection to the electricity network.
These works then become "contestable", which means the customer is able to choose the service provider they want to carry out these works. Such choice facilitates competition between providers of these services.
Contestability may also be extended to "recoverable works", which are capital works on the electricity network not for the purpose of establishing new or upgraded connections, but works requested by and funded by individuals or organisations to suit site developments, or required as a result of damage caused by others.
Some of this work is required under emergency conditions and generally have not been made contestable at this time.
Since April 2007 the administration of the Scheme for the accreditation of service providers to undertake contestable work was transferred to the Office of Fair Trading. The Department of Water and Energy retains responsibility for overall contestability policy.
Becoming an accredited service provider
In every case, the Service Provider must be accredited to undertake the type of work proposed. That accreditation, along with a system of inspecting and auditing of completed works, seeks to ensure that any work is designed, constructed or installed to provide for the efficient, reliable and safe operation of the completed works.
Accreditation helps you determine whether an applicant has the level of skills, resources and competence necessary to undertake contestable works.
Accredited service providers must have both accreditation under a scheme approved by the Department and authorisation granted by the electricity utilities to work on or near the electricity network.
Accredited service providers may be accredited independently at one or more levels.
Level 1 Accreditation
Level 1 accreditation allows for both overhead and underground construction work on distribution networks which are located adjacent to roadway. Level 1 service providers may be accredited for the following work categories:
- overhead lines
- underground lines.
Level 2 Accreditation
Level 2 accreditation allows for construction of service lines between the distribution system and the point of connection to the premises and for the installation and energisation of metering services. Level 2 service providers may be accredited for the following work categories:
- disconnection and reconnection
- underground service lines
- overhead service lines
- metering and energising new installations
- installing contestable market metering.
Level 3 Accreditation
Level 3 accreditation allows for the design of distribution networks. Service providers may be accredited for the following work categories:
- overhead lines
- underground lines
Further information
For further information regarding administration of the accredited service provider Scheme please contact the Accreditation Branch of the Office of Fair Trading:
t: +61 (0)2 9895 0008
e: aspscheme@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au