If you're an electrician looking to work on the network side of the meter — connecting properties to the electricity grid, upgrading services, or installing new supply points — you need ASP Level 2 accreditation. It's the licence that separates general electrical work from contestable network connection work, and it opens up a significant revenue stream for qualified contractors.

What Is an ASP Level 2?

ASP stands for Accredited Service Provider. The system was introduced when Australian states opened up certain electricity network tasks to private competition — work that was previously done exclusively by the distribution network service provider (DNSP).

There are three ASP levels:

Level 1: Construction of network infrastructure (poles, substations, high-voltage feeders)
Level 2: Service connection work (connecting customers to the existing network)
Level 3: Design of network infrastructure

Level 2 is the most common for individual contractors and small electrical businesses. It covers the "last mile" — the connection between the electricity network and the customer's installation.

ASP Level 2 Classes

Level 2 accreditation is divided into classes based on the type of work you're authorised to perform:

Class 2A — Disconnect and reconnect: Basic service disconnection and reconnection at the point of attachment. This is the entry-level class and covers work like temporary disconnections for renovation, reconnection after payment disputes, or solar meter upgrades.
Class 2B — Underground service connections: Installation of underground service cables from the network pit or pillar to the customer's switchboard. Includes trenching, conduit installation, cable pulling, and termination. This is where much of the residential connection work sits, especially in new housing estates.
Class 2C — Overhead service connections: Installation of overhead service cables using aerial bundled cable (ABC) from the network pole to the customer's point of attachment. Covers both new connections and upgrades to existing overhead services.
Class 2D — Metering: Installation, removal, and maintenance of electricity meters and metering equipment. This class is less commonly held by independent contractors as metering work has increasingly moved to specialist metering providers.

Most ASP Level 2 contractors hold both 2B and 2C accreditation, allowing them to quote on any residential or small commercial service connection regardless of whether it's overhead or underground.

How to Get Accredited

The pathway to ASP Level 2 accreditation varies by state, but the general process involves:

Hold an electrical licence: You need a current unrestricted electrical contractor licence (or equivalent) in your state. You can't skip straight to ASP work — the electrical licence is the foundation.
Complete approved training: ASP-specific training covers network connection standards, DNSP requirements, safety procedures for working near live network assets, and the technical standards for each connection type.
Pass the assessment: Both theory and practical components. You'll be assessed on your ability to design, install, and test service connections to the relevant Australian Standards and DNSP specifications.
Apply to the state authority: Submit your application with evidence of training, experience, insurance, and equipment. In NSW, this is through the Department of Planning and Environment (formerly IPART). Other states have equivalent bodies.
Maintain accreditation: Annual renewal, continuing professional development, and compliance with audit requirements.

Training Providers

Several registered training organisations (RTOs) deliver ASP Level 2 courses across Australia:

NECA (National Electrical and Communications Association): The largest provider, offering ASP courses in most capital cities. NECA's courses are widely recognised and include both classroom and practical components.
Master Electricians Australia: Offers ASP training through their state branches, often with flexible scheduling for working contractors.
Private RTOs: Several specialist RTOs offer ASP training, particularly in regional areas where NECA courses may be less frequent.

Course duration varies from 3 to 5 days depending on the classes being assessed and whether you're doing initial accreditation or adding a class to existing accreditation.

State Differences

While the ASP framework originated in NSW and the terminology is most established there, equivalent accreditation schemes exist in every state:

NSW: The original ASP scheme, administered under the Electricity Supply Act. Most mature market with the highest number of accredited providers.
Victoria: Registered Electrical Contractors (RECs) can apply for accreditation to perform contestable works through Energy Safe Victoria.
Queensland: The scheme operates under the Electrical Safety Act, with accreditation managed by the Electrical Safety Office.
South Australia: Accreditation is managed through the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR), with requirements aligned to SA Power Networks' standards.
Western Australia: Contestable works accreditation is managed by EnergySafety, with Western Power setting the technical standards.

Is It Worth It?

For most electrical contractors, the answer is yes. ASP Level 2 work commands higher margins than general electrical work — a single residential service connection can generate $2,000–$8,000 in revenue depending on complexity. The barrier to entry (training, accreditation, insurance) keeps competition manageable, and the work is steady as long as properties are being built, renovated, or upgraded.

The challenge is efficiency. Quoting, designing, and managing compliance for each job takes time — time that eats into your margins if your processes are manual. Tools like MAINS help streamline the design and quoting workflow so you can spend more time on billable installation work and less time at your desk.