INTRODUCTION

A contestable works program exists under the NSW Electricity Supply Act 1995. This provides electricity customers in NSW with the right to choose suitably qualified and accredited persons to connect their premises to the Network Operator’s distribution network, arrange for the supply of more electricity from the distribution network than they are currently consuming, or to extend the distribution network to reach their premises.

To ensure that the electrical distribution network and connection to the distribution network remains reliable and safe, only Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) operating under the ASP scheme administered by NSW Trade & Investment, may perform this work.

Employees and sub-contractors of ASPs must be suitably qualified and registered with the ASP scheme before seeking authorisation from the local Network Operator to work on or near the electricity network.

ASP LEVELS

The ASP Scheme accredits different types (levels) of work.

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

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

allows for the design of distribution networks. Service providers may be accredited for the following work categories:

  • overhead lines
  • underground lines.

level 1 qualifications

The services that can be provided by a Level 1 ASP consist of constructing and installing electricity distribution works to enable the provision of customer connection services (these are services related to a new connection or alteration to a connection as defined in section 24(3) of the Electricity Supply Act 1995 and chapter 5A of the National Electricity Rules). Examples include:

  • the laying and stringing of electricity cables as well as the jointing of cables;
  • erecting electricity poles and excavating underground cable trenches;
  • ‘line work’ such as working with live electricity cables (but not live High Voltage);
  • building or working on or inside electricity distribution sub-stations; and
  • construction work that may include the use of plant and equipment.

A Business that is accredited as a Level 1 ASP can be accredited in any of following four classes:

Class 1A
(previously known as Category 1 Overhead) – Overhead – work on or near the overhead electricity network:

  • examples include pole erection, tower construction, conductor stringing and tensioning, street lighting works comprising pole erection, stringing of conductors and luminaire erection and substation construction.

Class 1B
(previously known as Category 2a Underground) – Underground Paper lead and Polymeric – work on or near the underground electricity network, including polymeric and paper lead cables:

  • examples include cable trench excavation, duct laying, cable pit construction, pillar installation, cable laying and jointing, street lighting works comprising underground standard erection, cable laying and luminaire erection and substation construction.

Class 1C
(previously known as Category 2b Underground) – Underground Polymeric only – work on or near the underground electricity network as described for Class 1B but excluding work on paper lead or CONSAC cables.

Class 1X
Non-electrically qualified. This class allows non-electrically qualified personnel to be registered with the ASP Scheme in accordance with the Scheme Rules. It also allows application to be made to a distributor for authorisations not covered in the Scheme Rules, where the requirements for those authorisations are set by the Distributors. Examples of specific authorisations that may be required by a distributor include:

  • electrical trade related works performed by electrical trades apprentices covered by a training contract that may be required to work on or near the network under direct and constant supervision of an appropriately authorised person, – work performed by persons engaged by a telecommunications network operator on telecommunications assets attached to electricity network operator assets,
  • trades assistant work such as safety observer, rescue assistant and plant operator.

Level 1 Training and Assessment requirements


Level 1 ASP Qualification and training requirements
Classes of Contestable Services
(type of work)
ASP Scheme Qualification Criterion for Level 1 ASPs
Training organisations must be registered with Australian Skills Quality Authority or their state training authority and must have the relevant qualification and unit of competency on their scope of registration to deliver training and/or assessment.
Core Qualifications (refer Note 1) Additional Mandatory Competency Units (refer Note 2)
Class 1A _
carry out work on or near the overhead electricity network
UET30612 - Certificate III in ESI
- Power Systems - Distribution Overhead
UETTDRRF11A - Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks
Class 1B _
carry out work on or near the underground electricity network including both paperlead and polymeric and associated underground asset installation works
UET30812 - Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems - Distribution Cable Jointing UETTDRCJ21A - Lay ESI electrical cables
AND
UETTDRCJ22A - Install & maintain deenergised LV UG paper insulated cables
AND
UETTDRCJ23A - Install & maintain deenergised high voltage underground paper insulated cables
AND
UETTDRRF11A - Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks,
Class 1C _
carry out work on or near the underground electricity network and associated underground asset installation works limited to polymeric cables only
UET30812 - Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems - Distribution Cable Jointing
OR
UET30811 - Certificate III in Electrotechnology
Electrician (or equivalent)
OR
UET30612 - Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems - Distribution Overhead
UETTDRCJ21A - Lay ESI electrical cables
AND
UETTDRCJ26A - Install & maintain deenergised low voltage underground polymeric cables
AND
UETTDRCJ27A - Install & maintain deenergised high voltage underground polymeric cables
AND
UETTDRRF11A - Testing connections to low voltage electricity networks
Note 1:
Upon verification; those holidng an equivalent qualification to
  • UET30612 and/or UET30812 documented in the UET12 Training Package and all corresponding units of competency that proceed back to and are inclusive of UTT30101 and/or UTT30301 documented in the UTT98 Training Package will also meet the qualification requirements noted in this Level 1 table; or
  • UEE30811 documented in the UEE11 Training Package and all corresponding units of competency that proceed back to and are inclusive of UTE31199 documented in the UTE99 Training Package will also meet the qualification requirements noted in this Level 1 table.
Note 2:
Registered Training Organisations (RTO's) must ensure that any/all prerequisite units of competency (as specified within each of the relevant competency standards) have been achieved prior to awarding any of the units of competency specified within "Additional Mandatory Competency Units" column of Level 1 table.
Details are to be submitted in the qualifications section of the Level 1 ASP Application Form
ACCREDITATION AUTHORISATION

To become accredited an applicant must apply in writing, using the
approved application form along with:
(a) the completed application form;
(b) evidence of the required competencies;
(c) the completed form for the registration of persons who will be
seeking to be authorised by the electricity distributor/s to undertake
contestable services;
(d) evidence of meeting the insurance requirements; and
(e) the application fee


Manager, Accreditation Services
Division of Resources and Energy
Level 12, 10 Valentine Ave
PARRAMATTA NSW 2051
Phone: 02 9842 8636
Email: asp.scheme@trade.nsw.gov.au

Following registration, an ASP must seek to have those personnel
authorised by the local electricity distributor. Only personnel who are
currently registered with the Scheme can be authorised.

The local electricity distributor is responsible for determining who is
authorised to work on or near the distribution network. The electricity
distributor/s will require registered personnel to undertake training in
relevant safety and operating procedures and be familiar with and show
they can comply with their respective safety management systems,
electrical safety rules and other relevant policies.

The 3 NSW Local Electricity Distributors are detailed below:



APPLY to study Student Guide

How to get started
We will conduct recruitment for placements in an ethical and responsible manner. An offer for placement will be based upon an assessment of how your current qualifications, competence and ambitions match the opportunity offered in the qualification/Unit of Competency.

Application > Approved /Enrolled > Induction

To apply, go to www.iacsafetyservices.com.au, select your course of study, and follow the prompts. We will verify that we have received your application. However, this does not mean that it has been approved. In the application process, it is your responsibility to:

• Establish the application closing date.

• Check that you meet the requirements and address the selection criteria specified.

• Where requested, provide copies of your evidence, the originals of which must be verified by IAC Safety Services® or by a Justice of the Peace with an authorisation number; or a barrister, solicitor or attorney; or a Police Officer the rank of Sergeant or above. In any case the following statement must by made by the verifier:

‘I verify this to be a true copy of the document shown to me as the original’

The copy must have the verifier’s Name, Signature, Contact Details, the date and the Official Stamp or Seal of the verifier’s organisation on the copy, if such a stamp exists.

• Keep a copy of your completed form.

Notes:
1. IAC Safety Services® reserves the right to sight original documentation.
2. IAC Safety Services® is not responsible for obtaining information that you have not provided. Such information cannot be verified or considered.
3. Do not send original(s) documents as all documents are destroyed and therefore cannot be returned.
This qualification/Unit of Competency may not be available to International Students.
In the approval / enrolment process, if successful IAC Safety Services® will make you an offer informing you of the commencement date of your study or we will inform you that your application was not successful. Upon enrolment you are entitled to receive all of your learning materials; attend Class; have your competency(s) assessed; and receive eligible ‘Certificates’ or ‘Statements of Attainment’.
Placement is available until the class is full or accepted continuously through the year.
An induction and orientation program will be held on the first day of the course.

THE next step

Apply to study

For further assistance, feel free to talk to one of our friendly staff on
1300 887 317 or email registrar@iac.edu.au

Version 3, Janaury 2019

FAQ

ASP Level 1 Accreditation is the minimum accreditation required to work on electricity distribution works to enable the provision of customer connection services. These services relate to a new connection or alteration to a connection. The scope of work covered by ASP Level 1 Accreditation includes the laying and stringing of electricity cables, erection of electricity poles, and excavation of underground cable trenches, among others.

ASP Level 1 training courses cover the skills and knowledge required to construct and install electrical distribution works, such as the laying and stringing of electricity cables, erection of electricity poles, excavation of underground cable trenches, and the jointing of cables, among others.

Level 1 training courses are designed for people who want to work in the NSW energy distribution network. The course is suitable for electricians, linesmen, and other professionals in the electrical industry who need accreditation to work on electricity distribution works to enable the provision of customer connection services.

The prerequisites for ASP Level 1 training courses include relevant electrical trade qualifications, experience working in the electrical industry, and relevant licences and certifications. The ASP scheme administered by NSW Trade & Investment has specific requirements for each level of accreditation, and candidates must meet these requirements before enrolling in ASP Level 1 training courses. If you believe you have relevant prior learning, speak to us before enrolling.

ASP Level 1 Accreditation provides professionals in the electrical industry with the opportunity to work on electricity distribution works to enable the provision of customer connection services. This accreditation is essential for anyone who wants to work on or near the electricity network in NSW. Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) operating under the ASP scheme administered by NSW Trade & Investment are the only service providers authorised to work on the NSW energy distribution network, and ASP Level 1 Accreditation is the minimum accreditation required to work on customer connection services.

ASP Level 1 accreditation is valid for five years from the date of issue. To maintain your accreditation, you will need to undertake regular refresher training (annually) and demonstrate ongoing competency in your work.

ASP Level 1 accreditation allows for both overhead and underground construction work on distribution networks adjacent to the roadway. Level 1 service providers may be accredited for the following work categories: overhead lines and underground lines.

ASP Level 2 accreditation allows for the 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, and installing contestable market metering.

A Level 1 electrician is a trained professional who is authorised to perform construction and maintenance work on the electricity distribution network. This role includes tasks such as installing or upgrading electrical infrastructure like power poles, substations, and power lines. Level 1 electricians work on both underground and overhead systems, meaning they play a crucial role in ensuring the safe delivery of electricity to homes and businesses throughout NSW.  To perform more complex tasks such as metering and connections, you would need to consider becoming an ASP Level 2 electrician. 

Yes, a Level 1 ASP must complete Low Voltage (LV) Rescue training in order to become registered as an Accredited Service Provider. LV rescue training is essential because a Level 1 ASP will often work in high-risk environments, and they could encounter a hazard or rescue situation at any time.  This training forms part of your ASP Level 1 Pathway, and is also included in mandatory ASP Refresher training. Essentially, it covers all the skills necessary to manage risks associated with live low-voltage panels or cables and even perform rescues. While the training is essential, it’s about more than ticking a box. This training could literally save your or a colleague’s life.

Yes, ASP Level 1 workers can perform cable jointing tasks as part of their role. For Class 1B and above, ASP 1s require Certificate III in ESI – Power Systems – Distribution Cable Jointing training. This is to ensure they have the necessary skills and safety training to perform these jobs safely and effectively. It’s important to note, however, that certain classes of ASP 1s can only work on polymeric cable, not paper lead. It depends on the type of work you want to do and the training you complete. 

Yes, an ASP1 (Level 1 Accredited Service Provider) can work on overhead powerlines. Their role involves the construction and maintenance of overhead electrical systems, which includes installing power poles, wires, and other high-voltage infrastructure. As an ASP 1, you’ll learn these skills as part of your pathway training.

On the other hand, if you’re a non-electrical worker such as a crane operator, you will likely need to complete the UETDREL006 course, which is often known as overhead powerlines training or ‘working near overhead powerlines’. This training ensures all workers and any site visitors, or even members of the public, are kept safe while you perform your job.

No, you cannot become a Level 1 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) with a restricted electrical licence in NSW. A restricted licence limits the type of work you are qualified to perform, and is usually obtained by someone working in another trade where basic electrical work is necessary.  A restricted electrical licence is helpful, but not required to become an ASP Level 1. Rather, you must complete the relevant ASP Level 1 pathway training for your intended role.