FAQ Results

When you or your electrical contractor submits a connection application via our online services, it will immediately be assessed to see if it’s for a basic or negotiated connection service.

We will then make a basic or negotiated connection offer within set timeframes for you to accept.

Basic Connection Offer - Expedited

If your connection service type is ‘basic’, you or your contractor can ‘fast-track’ (or expedite) it in the online application. Just tick the ‘Expedite Application’ box and your connection contract will start when your application is submitted.

Basic Connection Offer - Not expedited

If your connection service type is ‘basic’ but you don’t expedite your application, we’ll make a basic connection offer within 10 business days (or other date agreed with you). You will have 45 business days to accept it.

The basic connection services that we offer are listed in the Model Standing Offer for Metered Load (PDF 1.4 mb).

Negotiated Connection Offer

If your connection service type is not basic, or you choose to negotiate the terms of your connection contract, then it’s classed as ‘negotiated’.

We’ll contact you or your electrical contractor to discuss the terms of your connection contract, and any additional fees. Usually we’ll make a negotiated connection offer within 65 business days. You will have 20 business days to accept it. Your connection contract starts when the offer is accepted.

If your new connection is classed as a basic connection service, you or your electrical contractor can ‘fast-track’ it in the online application. This is called an ‘expedited’ application.

It simply means that you are requesting to expedite at the time you submit your Connect Application. Provided we're satisfied that the connection service you're applying for is a basic connection service and that you indicate that the terms in the model standing offer are acceptable to you, then the connection contract forms when your application is submitted.

Just ensure the Expedite Application box is ticked at the end of the online Connect Application.

If you don’t tick the Expedite Application box, we’ll make a Basic Connection Offer within 10 business days (or other date agreed with you). You'll have 45 business days to accept it.

Your connection contract starts when the offer is accepted.

In addition to the standard information required for a Connect Application, a negotiated application often requires additional attached information:

If you decline to accept the connection offer, or don't return the signed connection offer within the set timeframe, our connection offer will expire. If you still want your system connection, you'll need to submit a new Connect Application and go through the whole process again (including paying any fees again).

Most applications qualify for a basic connection service. This is where the connection services needed for your new connection are relatively simple and straightforward and include little or no changes to our network.

It generally involves connection of residential and small business premises where:

• Network supply is available (i.e. there is a line available near your place, at the required voltage and with enough capacity and phases for your new connection)
• There is little or no work required on our network to connect you (other than establishing a standard connection)
• The maximum connection capacity is 100 amps per phase.

These are the basic connection services we offer for new connections.

More detailed information about basic connection services is explained in our Model Standing Offer Basic Connection Service for Metered Load (PDF 1.4 mb), including relevant definitions.

A negotiated connection service is needed if:

• Power supply from our network is not readily available in your area
• A network change is required to connect you
• The maximum connection capacity exceeds 100 amps per phase
• Your new connection is not classed as a basic connection service
• Your new connection is classed as a basic connection service, but you have chosen to negotiate the terms of your connection contract with us.

These are the negotiated connection services we offer:

Possible fees

Please note that you may be charged a fee for a negotiated connection service, to cover our expenses in assessing your application, completing the negotiated connection process, and making a negotiated connection offer.

These may also include charges from other network service providers and the cost to inspect your property (if required). Read more about Connection charges .

Once you've accepted the connection offer and your Connect Agreement is in place, another contract automatically comes into effect for your ongoing connection services. Unless you specifically negotiate the terms of this other contract, it will be on the terms of the Deemed Standard Connection Contract (PDF 1.3 mb).

Our standard connection services apply to unmetered supply only, for example watchman lighting, bus shelters, lighting for public amenities or street lighting. The standard connections services we offer are listed in our Model Standing Offer - Standard Connection Service for Unmetered Supply (PDF 1.2 mb).