Why you got it
Ausgrid inspectors check private connections during routine patrols, after storms, when a neighbour's job is being done, and when a meter is being changed. If they see something that could fail or hurt someone, they leave a notice. It is not personal and it is not a fine. It is a safety instruction with a deadline.
Reading the notice
The notice will state three things: what the defect is, where it is, and how long you have to fix it. The wording can be technical. The common ones translate as:
| On the notice | In plain English |
|---|---|
| Private pole unserviceable / decayed | Your pole is rotting or leaning and needs replacing |
| Point of attachment inadequate | The bracket where the line meets your house is loose, corroded or pulling out |
| Service conductor low clearance | The line is sagging too close to a driveway, roof or path |
| Consumer mains deteriorated | The cable between the pole and your switchboard is perished |
| Meter panel non-compliant | The board the meter sits on is damaged, undersized or unsafe |
| Vegetation encroachment | Trees or branches are too close to the line |
Ausgrid uses different notice types for different urgency levels. If yours is marked as urgent or immediate, treat the timeframe as days, not weeks.
Who can fix it
Every item in that table sits on the network side of your main switch, which means a Level 2 ASP electrician has to do the work. A general electrician can look at it but cannot legally rectify it or sign it off.
What happens, step by step
- Send us a photo of the notice. From the wording and a photo of the pole or panel we can usually give an indicative price the same day.
- Site inspection and fixed quote. We confirm the scope and put a fixed price in writing.
- The work. For a pole or mains that is normally one day. For a point of attachment or re-sag, a few hours.
- Close-out. We issue the CCEW and notify Ausgrid that the defect is rectified. For major defects Ausgrid may reinspect, which we coordinate.
What it costs
It depends entirely on what was found. As a guide, on the Central Coast:
- Minor rectification such as re-tensioning a line or renewing a bracket: from about $380
- Point of attachment renewal: from about $650
- Consumer mains replacement: from about $1,800 overhead, $3,200 underground
- Private pole replacement: from about $2,800
These are starting points, not quotes. Access, ground conditions and whether more than one item needs attention all move the number. See the defect rectification page for the full list of cost factors.
What not to do
Do not remove the sticker. Do not have a handyman "tidy it up". Do not wait until day 20. Defect jobs book out quickly after storms, and if the deadline passes Ausgrid's next step is disconnection, which means a reconnection fee and a cold house on top of the original repair.
