An Expert’s Guide to Ausgrid
Ausgrid is an electricity distributor that operates across the central-east coast of New South Wales. It is mainly responsible for maintaining the network of poles, wires and stations that make it possible for electricity to reach your home.
Some people occasionally get confused about the difference between distributors such as Ausgrid and retailers like AGL, EnergyAustralia or Origin Energy. That’s why in this article, we are going to explain what Ausgrid does and when you may need to contact the company.
On this page, we’ll cover:
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Ausgrid Expert Guide
Ausgrid services more than 1.7 million homes and businesses on the NSW central-east coast. The Ausgrid network covers over 22,000 square kilometres, spanning from Sydney to the Great Dividing Range. The network consists of more than 49,000 kilometres of overhead and underground powerlines, with more than 31,000 distribution substations. According to the Ausgrid website, over four million Aussies rely on their energy from this network.
Here is some general information about when you should and should not contact Ausgrid:
| When should I contact Ausgrid? | When should I NOT contact Ausgrid? |
|---|---|
| To connect your home or business to the electricity grid | If you find any electricity faults that are not related to the network |
| To report a blackout or power fault | To organise a meter read or upgrade |
| To report a safety concern such as a fallen powerline | To discuss the best solar panel systems for your home |
| To seek approval to install solar | To discuss changing energy plans or retailers |
| To get permission to relocate network assets (i.e. power poles) to undertake work on your property | To enquire about your electricity bill (contact your retailer – e.g. AGL, Origin) |
Ausgrid Services
Bill-payers living on the New South Wales central-east coast can contact Ausgrid for a number of services including electricity connections, projects and maintenance in the area, pricing and tariff information, rooftop solar installations and faulty connections or outages. You can also contact this distributor to request a pole inspection, tree trimming or to receive historic data from your meter.
Ausgrid Tariffs
Ausgrid has a selection of tariff options for energy customers in New South Wales, each of which outline different connection charges and metering for homes and businesses. With multiple tariffs on the Ausgrid network, there is an exhaustive list of pricing information. To best find out what tariff you should sign up to, you may need to visit Ausgrid’s Network Prices page.
Ausgrid Connections
If you are looking to organise a new power connection, the first thing you will need to do is ensure the property is situated within the Ausgrid network. This can be done through the postcode checker on the Ausgrid website.
Once this is complete, you’ll need to lodge a request for a connection and define the electrical requirements of your property. It is recommended that you engage with an electrical professional when making your application to assist in picking the right connection design for you. According to the Ausgrid website, you should then receive a connection offer or contract within 10 business days of lodging your application.
If you are happy with the returned contract and cost quote for you connection, you can then organise for an electrical professional to do the necessary work to get you hooked up to the grid. Once you are connected, all that is left to do is choose an electricity provider.
Ausgrid connection contracts are valid up to a year from when the application was submitted. If you have not organised your connection within this time, you will need to re-apply for a new contract in order to get connected.
Electricity Plans on the Ausgrid Network
Residents on the Ausgrid energy network should generally be able to choose their own electricity provider. Below we have listed some of the cheapest electricity prices in New South Wales on the Ausgrid network.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Ausgrid Company Information
Below we have listed some of the important information about Ausgrid. If you are on the Ausgrid network, it may pay to keep these details handy for the next time you have an outage or power supply issues.
Ausgrid Contact Details
If you would like to speak to someone at Ausgrid directly, the number you should call depends on what you’re after.
- General enquiries: 13 13 65 (Mon-Fri | 9am-4:30pm)
- Emergencies and power outages: 13 13 88 (24/7)
- Dial before you dig: Call 1100
While you should only need to contact Ausgrid on rare occasions, it is worth keeping these numbers handy just in case you spot a fallen power line or anything goes wrong with your power supply.
Ausgrid Coverage Map
The Ausgrid network covers the central-east coast of New South Wales, spanning from Sydney to as far north as Nelson Bay and as far west as the Great Dividing Range. This includes a number of major urban areas such as Cronulla, Newcastle and the Hunter region.
Ausgrid is the only electricity distributor in this area and has sole responsibility for the maintenance of this network zone. Customers in the Parramatta, Penrith, Lithgow, Richmond, Wollongong, Moss Vale or Nowra regions are connected on the Endeavour Energy network, while customers west of Bathurst and Goulburn, south of Batemans Bay and north of Dungog are connected to the Essential Energy network.
Ausgrid Power Outages
Ausgrid has a live feed of power outages available on its website, along with a map that indicates where these outages are. If you lose power, the first thing you should do is use your mobile to look at the Ausgrid website and check whether they are already aware of the issue. If not, you can select your property on the map to report an outage. Alternatively, you can call Ausgrid at any time on 13 13 88.
Power is currently out to customers in Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bronte and surrounding suburbs. Our crew are working to safely restore power. For more info: https://t.co/bZtdLPjc9L
— Ausgrid (@Ausgrid) January 18, 2022
Kelseigh Wrigley: Energy Content Producer
This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s energy content producer, Kelseigh Wrigley. As a qualified journalist, Kelseigh aims to light the way for everyday Aussies, helping them find a better deal on their energy plan. Whether it’s value for money, new incentives, deals on gas or solar, Kelseigh is keen to help customers put money back in their pockets.
Other NSW Energy Distributors
There are three electricity distributors in New South Wales – one for the central-east coast, one for the regional and country areas and one for the metropolitan areas. There are also four gas distributors in the state. Here are the energy distributors in NSW.
Electricity:
- Ausgrid for the central-east coast, inducing Sydney, Cronulla, Newcastle and the Hunter region.
- Essential Energy for regional areas, including Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Coffs Harbour.
- Endeavour Energy for the metro areas, including Parramatta, Penrith Lithgow, Blacktown and the Blue Mountains.
Natural Gas:
- Central Ranges System for Tamworth.
- Jemena Gas Networks for Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong and parts of country NSW.
- Wagga Wagga Distribution Network for Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas.
- Evoenergy for Palerang (Bungendore) and Queanbeyan.
FAQs about Ausgrid
Who owns Ausgrid?
Since December 2016, the Ausgrid network has been owned in joint partnership by the New South Wales Government, Australian Super and IFM Investors. Ausgrid operates under this partnership in a long-term lease, with Australian Super and IFM Investors owning 50.4 per cent of the network, while the NSW Treasury owns 49.6 per cent.
Can I choose a different energy distributor other than Ausgrid?
Unfortunately, no. If you live on the central-east coast of New South Wales, your electricity distributor will be Ausgrid. This means that Ausgrid is the distribution network for households and businesses in Cronulla, Newcastle, the Hunter region, Nelson Bay and parts of Sydney. If you live outside of these areas, your distributor will be either Essential Energy or Endeavour Energy, depending on your location.
What type of work does Ausgrid do?
Ausgrid is an electricity distributor, which means it is responsible for building and maintaining the wires, transformers, substations and low-voltage poles that bring energy to your home. It is important to note that Ausgrid does not generate electricity for you to use, nor is it involved in customer billing. Any concerns with your energy bill should be addressed to your electricity retailer, not Ausgrid.
Ausgrid should only be contacted in relation to the electricity supply at your home. If you experience a blackout or power outage, Ausgrid should be your first port of call. Any faulty or fallen powerlines spotted on the central-east coast of NSW should also be raised with Ausgrid.
Any queries relating to metering at your home should be referred to your electricity retailer or meter provider. If there are issues with the internal wiring at your property, this will require a licensed electrician to repair. Ausgrid does not operate as a general electrician service and can only assist with issues that relate to your network connection. If you are looking to connect a new property to the electricity grid for the first time, you will need to contact Ausgrid. You will also need to make an application to Ausgrid if you wish to install a solar PV system at your property.
Who owns the electricity grid in New South Wales?
There are four stages of electricity supply in New South Wales – generation, transmission, distribution and retail. The electricity network and transmission lines in NSW are owned by Transgrid – a privately owned company. Transgrid runs over 13,000 kilometres of transmission wires in NSW and the ACT, with connections in Queensland and Victoria as well.