Basic connection
Find out how to apply for a basic power connection for a new or existing residential or small business property.
When you need to apply
You will need to apply for a basic connection if you:
- need to connect a new residential or small business (including solar PV installations with an inverter capacity of less than 30kVA).
- modify residential or small business connections.
- request an unmetered connection (other than streetlights).
- need a temporary supply connection.
- require a removal of services and/or meters.
How a basic connection works
Your electrician, electricity retailer and Power and Water each have a role in progressing your connection.
- Electrician
Your electrician applies
Your electrician prepares and submits the Basic Connection Application to Power and Water.
- Power and Water
We assess the application
We review the information provided and may contact your electrician if we need more information.
- Power and Water
Your application can proceed
We let your electrician know when the application can proceed. Your electrician will then advise you to contact your electricity retailer.
- Customer / property owner
Contact your electricity retailer
Once your electrician lets you know the application can proceed, contact your electricity retailer and provide the information they need to progress the connection.
- Electricity retailer
Your retailer sends the request
Your retailer sends the required connection request and information to Power and Water.
- Power and Water
We arrange the connection work
Once Power and Water has received the retailer’s service order and all required documentation, Power Connections will arrange any required site visit and schedule the connection work.
It can take up to 14 business days to schedule the work.
Before you apply
Required information
- The full address of the property
- Your billing address
- Your contact details
- Site phones
- The electrician's details
- A list of fixed appliance, loads and generators (if any)
- Load information and AS-3000 maximum demand calculation supporting documentation to be attached
- To finalise your connection, you must provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)
How to apply
Your electrician can submit the Basic Connection Application online.
The application provides Power and Water with the technical information we need to assess the proposed connection.
By applying for a basic connection, we will assume that you want an expedited connection.
You accept our:
- Model Standing Offer – Basic Connection Agreement (for customers with standard connections without generation) PDF, 221.17 KB
- Model Standing Offer – Micro-Embedded Generator (including PV), Basic Connection Agreement PDF, 221.91 KB.
This process only applies to contestable areas.
If you do not want an expedited connection, contact our Power Connections team at PowerConnections.PWC@powerwater.com.au.
After you apply
Power and Water will make a technical assessment based on the information provided in the application.
We may contact your electrician for more information or to arrange a property inspection. Depending on the connection location, pre-approval may also be required.
We assess your application
Power and Water reviews the application. We may contact your electrician for more information, a property inspection or any required pre-approval.
Once your application is approved
Power and Water will advise your electrician when the application can proceed.
Your electrician will then let you know that you need to contact your electricity retailer. Your retailer will submit the required connection request and information to Power and Water before the connection work can be scheduled.
What happens with your retailer
Once your electrician advises you that the application can proceed, contact your electricity retailer.
Your electricity retailer may need information about the proposed connection before they can send the required connection request to Power and Water.
The information required may vary depending on the connection. Your electrician or electrical contractor will be advised of any specific information or documentation needed to progress the application.
Once Power and Water has received the retailer’s service order and all required documentation, it can take up to 14 business days to schedule the connection work. Delays may occur if information is missing or the retailer still has actions to complete.
Connection service costs
As the network provider, we charge the costs for connecting the meter to the network to the retailer who raised the request. The retailer may pass these costs on to you as part of their fees.
Contact your retailer and ask if there are any additional charges for your connection request.
Need help with your application?
For help with a Basic Connection Application, including general enquiries and application status, contact our Development Services Team.
Email Developer.Concierge@powerwater.com.au
Phone 08 9463 2089
More information
Model standing offer – Basic connection agreement PDF, 0.22 MB
For customers with standard connections without generation Model standing offer – Micro-embedded generator (including PV), Basic connection agreement PDF, 0.22 MB
Connection or altering an existing Connection of a Micro-Embedded Generator to our Electricity System. Standard customer supply agreement PDF, 0.57 MB
This contract is about the services which cover the supply and ongoing connection of your premises to our electricity distribution system, and the electricity supplied to the premises. Connection Policy 2024 – 2029 PDF, 373 KB
The Policy applies to connections requested from 1 July 2024 for new or modified connections during 2024–29 regulatory control period (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029 inclusive) Negotiating framework and negotiated distribution service criteria
This Attachment introduces Power and Water’s proposed Negotiating Framework and explains the context in which the Negotiating Framework may apply to its services. Service and Installation Rules 2024 PDF, 0.96 MB
Set out the technical requirements for customers connecting electricity installations, and general conditions of supply to Power and Water Corporation’s electricity networks. Alternative Control Service (ACS) pricelists PDF, 0.18 MB
Fee based and quoted services 2024-2025 Embedded generation connection guideline PDF, 0.75 MB
(NT NER Ch5/5A information pack)
