Calling the wrong type of electrician for your Wollongong project wastes your time and money. You might wait weeks for an appointment, only to find out they can't legally do the work you need.
In NSW, electricians are licensed and accredited for different types of electrical work. Standard licensed electricians handle everything inside your property boundary. Accredited Service Providers work on the connections between your property and the electricity network. And for some projects, you need both.
Knowing which type of electrician you need before you call saves delays, extra callouts, and coordination headaches.
Types of Electricians in NSW
Electrical work is divided into three main categories in NSW, each requiring different licensing or accreditation:
Standard Licensed Electricians work inside your property, handling everything from power points to internal wiring.
Level 1 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) construct and extend the electricity distribution network itself - the poles, wires, and underground infrastructure that make up the grid.
Level 2 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) connect properties to the electricity network, handling service lines, meters, and everything between the street and your property.
Most Wollongong homeowners will need either a standard licensed electrician or a Level 2 ASP, depending on the project.
Standard Licensed Electrician
What They Do
Standard licensed electricians work on the customer side of the point of supply, which is typically located at or near the meter. Your home's wiring, circuits, power points, lighting, appliances, and switchboards all fall under their scope.
They hold an electrical licence from NSW Fair Trading, which allows them to perform electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance inside your property.
When You Need a Standard Licensed Electrician in Wollongong
Renovations and Upgrades
Renovating a kitchen means dealing with modern appliances that require their own circuits and additional power outlets. For a bathroom remodel, you need proper lighting and exhaust fans wired correctly, and if you're turning a spare room into a home office, you'll need more power points than you have now. Sometimes that means running new circuits because the old ones can't handle the load.
Older Wollongong weatherboards present a bigger challenge. Many need complete rewiring during major renovations. The electrician strips out old wiring and brings the entire electrical system up to current NSW standards.
Electrical Issues and Repairs
If your power points stop working or switches fail, you can call a standard electrician. The same goes for circuit breakers that trip constantly or lights that flicker throughout the house. These are the everyday electrical problems that electricians fix regularly.
Then there are the frustrating problems where you know something's not right but can't work out what it is. Maybe a circuit keeps tripping for no obvious reason, or power cuts out randomly. Electricians trace these faults through your wiring until they find the source and fix it.
Safety Upgrades and Compliance
NSW electrical safety regulations require specific safety devices in all homes. Standard licensed electricians install interconnected smoke alarms throughout your property, add RCD/RCBO protection to circuits that need it, and fit surge protection devices for sensitive electronics.
Many older Wollongong homes still have ceramic fuses instead of modern circuit breakers. Upgrading improves safety and brings your home up to current NSW standards. Licensed electricians handle these safety upgrades along with electrical safety inspections required before property sales.
Appliance Installations
Many appliances need hardwired electrical connections rather than simple plug-in installation. Ovens, cooktops, hot water systems, and ducted air conditioning systems all require a licensed electrician to connect them properly to your electrical system. Pool equipment (once power reaches the pool area), workshop machinery, and commercial appliances also need professional installation to ensure they're safely connected and compliant with Australian standards.
As long as your existing electrical service has sufficient capacity and you're not modifying the supply network connection, a standard licensed electrician can handle all of this work.
Level 1 Accredited Service Provider (ASP)
Level 1 electricians (ASPs) construct electricity distribution network assets. This is specialised work extending the actual electricity network infrastructure.
What They Do
Level 1 ASPs build and extend the distribution network itself. Installing new poles and wires, constructing underground network infrastructure, and extending the grid to reach new areas. This work typically supports new subdivisions, large developments, or major infrastructure projects. Electricity distributors or property developers will usually commission this work.
When Homeowners Need Level 1 ASPs
Individual Wollongong homeowners rarely need Level 1 ASP services directly. This work happens at the network level rather than the individual property level.
If you're building a single home, renovating, or upgrading your property, you won't need a Level 1 ASP. You'll need either a standard licensed electrician or a Level 2 ASP.
Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP)
Level 2 electricians (ASPs) connect properties to the electricity network. This is the critical link between the grid and your home. In Wollongong, Level 2 electricians hold accreditation with Endeavour Energy, your electricity distributor.
What They Do
Level 2 ASPs install, repair, and maintain service lines between your property and the electricity network. They work on overhead and underground service cables, install meters, connect new properties to the grid, and make connections live.
The accreditation process is strict. These professionals work on live network infrastructure owned by the electricity distributor, and their training covers safety procedures for working on service cables, overhead power lines, underground power lines, and connections to the electrical grid.
Level 2 ASPs must maintain ongoing compliance with Endeavour Energy requirements. They carry specialised insurance and must notify the electricity distributor before starting network work.
Why Level 2 ASP Accreditation Matters
In Wollongong, Endeavour Energy operates the electricity network. Most equipment from the street to the point where power is supplied to your home is part of the network and requires a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider to work on it.
Level 2 electricians notify Endeavour Energy before starting work. This protects the broader electrical grid and ensures compliance with NSW electrical regulations.
When You Need a Level 2 ASP in Wollongong
New Builds and Major Construction
Building a new home in Wollongong needs a Level 2 ASP for the service connection. They install the service cable from the electrical supply network to your property, set up the meter box, and connect everything to the electrical grid.
Knockdown rebuilds follow the same requirements. Even though your property previously had power, the new connection needs the same accreditation.
Granny flats and secondary dwellings also need their own meters and grid connections, which fall under Level 2 ASP work.
Service Upgrades
Many older Wollongong homes have limited service capacity. Single-phase power can't handle modern electrical demand. Multiple air conditioners, ducted heating, pool equipment, workshop machinery, and EV chargers might exceed your service capacity. Upgrading service capacity requires a Level 2 ASP. They upgrade the service cable, install a larger meter box, and coordinate with Endeavour Energy.
Meter Work
Meters and service mains are part of the electricity supply connection, so only Level 2 ASPs can legally work on them.
Property subdivisions require separate meters for each new title. Smart meter upgrades, faulty meter replacements, and additional meters for separate dwellings all fall under this category. Meters form part of the regulated electricity supply connection and are not customer-owned assets, regardless of whether they are owned by the distributor or a metering coordinator. Only a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider can legally install, replace, or alter metering and associated supply equipment.
Service Line Work
Replacing overhead power lines with underground cables is common when renovating older Wollongong coastal properties. Burying the service cable improves aesthetics and reduces the risk of storm damage.
Service cables also need repair after storms or accidents. And if you're building an extension or garage, service lines may need to be relocated or installed to accommodate the new structure. All of this is Level 2 ASP work because it involves the network infrastructure connecting your property to the street.
Private Power Poles
Some Wollongong properties have private power poles that bring power from the street to the building. These poles sometimes need repair, replacement, relocation, or regular maintenance. Where a private power pole forms part of the electricity supply connection, all work on it requires Level 2 ASP accreditation.
EV Charger Installations with Upgrades
If your current electrical service can handle the extra load, a standard licensed electrician installs the charger. But many Wollongong homes with older electrical services need service upgrades before EV charger installation.
If your service capacity is insufficient, you need a Level 2 ASP to first upgrade your connection to the electrical supply network.
Pool Installations
If a pool installation requires a new or upgraded supply connection, a Level 2 ASP must perform the network-side work. Once the supply is available, a standard licensed electrician can complete the pool wiring.
Major renovations with service upgrades work the same way. If your renovation needs more power than your current service can handle, a Level 2 electrician upgrades the service capacity first. Then, standard electricians handle all the internal electrical work for your renovation.
Key Differences
| Standard Licensed Electrician | Level 1 ASP | Level 2 ASP |
| Internal wiring and installations | Network construction and extension | Service connections to properties |
| Power points and lighting | New poles and wires | Service cables and meters |
| Switchboards (unless service upgrades needed) | Underground network infrastructure | Overhead and underground service lines |
| Appliance connections | Grid expansion projects | Private power poles |
| Repairs and maintenance inside property | Large-scale network projects | Service capacity upgrades |
| Safety devices and compliance | Network connection and disconnection |
In most residential situations, the practical boundary is the point of supply, which is typically at or near the meter. Work on the network side of this point requires a Level 2 ASP, while work on the customer side is handled by a standard licensed electrician.
Legal Requirements
Working on the electrical supply network without proper ASP accreditation carries penalties under NSW electrical safety laws. This is about legal authorisation from the electricity distributor, not just technical capability.
Level 2 ASPs follow specific procedures for isolating the supply and working on live electrical grid infrastructure. They notify Endeavour Energy before starting work.
Insurance requirements differ between standard electrical work and network work. ASPs maintain specialised insurance coverage for network infrastructure tasks.
Can Level 2 ASPs Do Standard Electrical Work?
Level 2 ASPs also hold standard electrical licences. This means they can perform both standard electrical work and supply connection work. An electrician with Level 2 ASP accreditation can handle your internal electrical needs and your network connection requirements.
Why One Provider with Both Qualifications Matters
Some projects need both standard electrical work and Level 2 ASP work. New home builds, major renovations with service upgrades, and pool installations all require both types of electricians.
When you use a provider with both qualifications, one team handles your entire project from start to finish. The Level 2 ASP work gets done first, then the standard electrical work follows. You're not waiting for a second contractor to become available or managing coordination between two different companies.
If something goes wrong, there's one point of contact and clear accountability.
Why Easther Electrical: Complete Electrical Services in Wollongong
Easther Electrical holds both standard electrical licensing and Level 2 ASP accreditation with Endeavour Energy. We perform electrical work on residential and commercial properties throughout Wollongong, from basic repairs to complex network connections.
One call covers everything. We know Wollongong properties and understand Endeavour Energy's requirements. We've built relationships with the electricity distributor that keep projects moving smoothly.
Our Level 2 ASP accreditation covers overhead power lines, underground power lines, meter installations, private power poles, and service upgrades. Our standard electrical licensing handles all internal electrical work, emergencies, and repairs.
Contact us to discuss your project. We'll assess what's required and provide the right solution.
FAQs
What is the difference between a Level 1 and a Level 2 electrician?
Level 1 ASPs construct electricity distribution network infrastructure, like poles and wires. Level 2 ASPs connect properties to the network, handling service lines, meters, and connections between the street and your property. Standard licensed electricians handle electrical work inside your property. Most homeowners need either a standard licensed electrician or a Level 2 ASP.
Is Level 2 enough to be an electrician?
Level 2 ASP is an additional accreditation on top of standard electrical licensing. All Level 2 ASPs hold standard electrical licences, allowing them to perform both network connection work and standard electrical work.
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 electricians?
In NSW, the terms are Level 1 ASP and Level 2 ASP under the Accredited Service Provider scheme. Level 1 ASPs construct network infrastructure. Level 2 ASPs connect properties to the network. Standard licensed electricians handle work inside properties.
Being any kind of electrician is a specialised role, given the uniquely dangerous nature of their expertise among the trades. Even basic electrical tasks around the home should be left to the professionals, but what about those tasks that go beyond even regular maintenance?
That's where a Level 2 electrician comes in, a specialist in electrical systems who has completed additional training to tackle more complex electrical tasks. A Level 2 electrician has the skills and experience to handle everything a Level 1 (or ordinary) electrician can, as well as the ability to maintain connecting electrical systems outside the boundaries of the home.
One size doesn't fit all when it comes to electrical work, and you need to be sure you're hiring the right kind of qualified professionals for specialised tasks. Join us, as we explore what a Level 2 electrician can do for you and your electrical supply.
What is a Level 2 Electrician?
Level 2 electricians have undergone specialised training to work on more complex electrical tasks. The most fundamental difference is that a Level 1 electrician can work on wiring and installation around the home. A Level 2 electrician can work on the service lines connecting a home or business to the wider grid.
They can also disconnect and reconnect properties from the electrical grid, manage and install electrical meters, and complete work on overhead service lines and the underground power supply.
To become a Level 2 electrician, one must already be a qualified level 1 electrician, which already requires a 4-year on-site apprenticeship with additional TAFE study. The qualifications for a Level 2 electrician require additional training by an accredited service provider.
In NSW, this is Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) training, which generally takes about 3–4 days of specialist training. The ASP scheme is broken down into four categories: (2A) disconnect and reconnect, (2B) underground systems, (2C) overhead systems, and (2D) energising service equipment.
An annual refresher is required to maintain accreditation.
What Role Does a Level 2 Electrician Have in the Electrical Supply Network?
The primary roles of a Level 2 electrician include their work on complex electrical systems, including maintenance and repair of the underground and overhead power supply, for both residential and commercial properties.
Underground and overhead electrical systems are high-voltage electrical systems and have greater complexities than home circuits. To begin with, accessing both systems is more difficult, with overhead requiring an elevated work platform and the safety equipment and knowledge of proper earthing, while underground electrical systems must be unearthed and maintained without causing further damage.
Due to working on the public grid, Level 2 electricians are working with dangerous live wires, while a Level 1 electrician will typically shut off the power supply to a house or shop before working on the circuit. To perform electrical work on live wires is something only a Level 2 electrician can do.
Both types of systems require an electrician who is experienced in handling high voltage circuits, can complete maintenance work in difficult positions (on a high platform or reaching underground), and has an understanding of how the public electricity supply works, all things that an electrician without this qualification cannot do, both legally and safely.
Why Should You Hire a Level 2 Electrician?
Expertise in Complex Electrical Work
Level 2 electricians have the qualification and accreditation to handle more complex electrical work, including handling overhead and underground service lines that connect residential and commercial circuits to the public power grid. This linking infrastructure comes with its own challenges that the Level 2 qualification teaches accredited electricians.
If you need to connect or disconnect a property from the electrical network or apply metering to an existing connection, you will need the services of a Level 2 electrician.
Electrical Safety and Compliance
Working on live wires makes Level 2 electrical work particularly dangerous. The current flowing through home circuits is strong enough to cause lethal injury, but the public grid contains voltages many magnitudes higher.
Level 2 electricians have a deep knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance to ensure both safe installation and effective repair practices, protecting everyone on-site and the grid and appliances themselves from being subjected to high voltages than they are designed to handle.
Emergency Electrical Services
If a tree has fallen and brought down overhead wiring or a digger has accidentally torn through underground cables, you'll need the situation resolved as soon as possible, both for the safety of those around the site and for the convenience of restoring power.
Level 2 electricians who are available for urgent electrical repairs can help to minimise downtime for homes and businesses. Whether it's a storm or an accident, Level 2 emergency services can have your power supply restored safely and effectively in no time at all.
Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run
The cost-effectiveness of ensuring your power supply is running at the voltage and reliability we expect of modern systems can help save you money in the long run. Grid faults can cause damage to appliances and systems by sending too much current into circuits they weren't designed for.
This can cause your home or commercial property's electrical fittings and electrical lines to wear out ahead of time, causing complex electrical issues that can necessitate an expensive overhaul of your home's electrical system.
When Do You Need a Level 2 Electrician?
A Level 2 electrician is necessary for the complex tasks associated with electrical emergencies, repairing service lines, tending to the power meter, and maintaining the connections between the public electricity grid. Additionally, the following scenarios also require their specialist expertise:
- Power pole installations: Level 2 electricians can also erect power poles on your property, so if one is failing or you need to expand your electrical system on your land, they can raise private power poles and connect them to the mains.
- Upgrading electrical systems for higher capacity: Particularly for older homes, if you need more a greater power supply than you have from an older network connection, a Level 2 electrician can upgrade your existing system to a modern standard.
- Fault finding and rectifications in service lines: As service lines typically stay live when worked on, a Level 2 qualified electrician is required to diagnose and repair faults in these high-voltage cables.
How to Choose the Right Level 2 Electrician
Because Level 2 electrical issues typically involve difficult-to-access high voltage wires and mistakes can negatively impact neighbouring properties or cause serious injury (or worse), it is important you verify and select only qualified Level 2 electricians for the jobs described above.
First, check their website as evidence of their certifications and insurance should be readily available. If you can't find clear evidence of their accreditation, it's often best to continue your search elsewhere. Next, search for online reviews to ensure they always provide a good customer experience.
Need a Level 2 Electrician for Your Electrical Work?
Whether you have electrical needs your current circuits can't meet, have an emergency with lines down or dug up, or need complex installations for high-voltage systems, enlist the services of a qualified and licensed electrician today.
At Easther Electrical, we are proud to service the Wollongong community for all your Level 2 electrician needs. Our certified electricians can keep your home or business powered safely and with optimal functionality. We can maintain metering equipment, raise electric poles, and assess your power usage to make sure the distribution system of the supply network is serving you how it is supposed to.
Don't take the risk with high voltage electricity supply. Call Easther Electrical today to hire a licensed electrician to take care of all your overhead and underground electrical needs.