Authorised Persons and ASPs in Ausgrid's Network: Who Can Legally Work Where

Who is actually allowed to work on or near Ausgrid's network? Not every licensed electrician can. Ausgrid's Electrical Safety Rules define several categories of authorised person, each with a specific scope, and stepping outside that scope is not just against the rules, it is genuinely dangerous. Understanding these categories helps explain why some jobs need a specialist Level 2 electrician while others can be handled by any licensed tradesperson.

This guide covers what an authorised person actually is, how ASP accreditation fits in, and what substation and live work authorisation require.

1. What an authorised person actually is

Ausgrid's Electrical Safety Rules restrict work on, near or in the vicinity of network mains and apparatus to people who hold the relevant authorisation. Vicinity is defined specifically, generally meaning within 3 metres of exposed equipment, which is a tighter boundary than most people assume.

Authorisation is not a single credential. It is layered by the type of work involved, which is why a person authorised to work near overhead lines is not automatically authorised to enter a substation or carry out switching operations.

2. ASP authorisation sits within this framework

Accredited Service Providers must be separately authorised by Ausgrid to work on, near or in the vicinity of its mains and apparatus, and can only work within the limits of that specific authorisation. Our Level 1, 2 and 3 explainer covers what each ASP level is permitted to do in practice.

An ASP authorisation does not automatically grant every other category of authorised access. A Level 2 electrician authorised for consumer connection work is not automatically authorised to enter a zone substation, for example.

3. Substation entry requires its own authorisation

Nobody may enter a substation, including smaller kiosk or pillar type substations, unless they are specifically authorised by Ausgrid to do so, or are accompanied by an authorised stand by person who explains the access limits and hazards first. This applies to any location with live exposed conductors, not just large network substations.

This is why a private substation on a commercial or strata property still requires proper authorisation for anyone entering it, regardless of who owns the site.

4. Operating work and network access requests

Operating equipment on the network, such as switching, also requires a specific operating authority, and cannot be carried out without approval from Ausgrid's control room except in a genuine emergency. Before any isolation or de-energising work can happen at all, a formal network access request needs to be submitted and approved, a process covered in more detail in our network access requests guide.

These layers exist because a single point of failure, whether that is an unauthorised person entering a substation or switching equipment without approval, can put both workers and the public at serious risk.

Why it's Level 2 ASP work

Most of the authorisation categories described here sit on the network's side of the meter, which is exactly the territory a Level 2 electrician is accredited for. It is also why Level 2 work cannot be substituted with a general electrician, no matter how experienced, since the authorisation itself is issued by Ausgrid rather than earned through a standard licence alone.

How High Demand Electrical helps

Our team holds the relevant Ausgrid authorisations for the network side work we carry out, so jobs that touch the point of supply, consumer mains or private power poles are handled correctly from the outset. We manage the authorisation and access side of a job as part of the service, not as a separate hurdle for you to navigate.

Need work that touches Ausgrid's network handled correctly? Get in touch with our Level 2 team, or call 0402 559 777. Every job needs a site assessment before scope and pricing are confirmed.