What Is the Difference Between a Level 1 and Level 2 Electrician? (2026 Guide)
If you have come across the terms Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 electrician and are not sure what they mean — or you are trying to work out which one you need — this guide explains the NSW ASP Scheme clearly and in plain English. The confusion is understandable, because these terms refer to a specific accreditation system that sits alongside the standard electrical licence most people are familiar with.
What Is A Level 1 Electrician?
Under the NSW Accredited Service Provider (ASP) Scheme, a Level 1 electrician is accredited to construct and extend network assets — the infrastructure that makes up the electricity distribution network itself.
Level 1 ASP work includes extending the overhead or underground network to reach a new property or subdivision, increasing the capacity of the local network, and work on substations and other network infrastructure. This is the work that happens before a property is connected to the grid — building the network that Level 2 ASPs then connect individual properties to.
The pathway to becoming a Level 1 electrician in NSW involves completing a Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician) through an apprenticeship, obtaining an electrical contractor or worker licence through NSW Fair Trading, and then obtaining ASP accreditation for network construction work through the relevant accreditation body.
What Is A Level 2 Electrician?
A Level 2 electrician is an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) authorised to work on the connection between the electricity network and an individual property. Where the network ends and the property begins — the service line, the meter, the point of connection — is the domain of the Level 2 ASP.
Level 2 ASPs are accredited under the NSW ASP Scheme and hold authorisation to work on the networks operated by Endeavour Energy and Ausgrid, the two distribution network service providers that cover most of NSW including the Sydney, Wollongong and Illawarra regions.
The scope of work a Level 2 ASP is authorised to carry out includes:
- Disconnections and reconnections at the point of supply
- Overhead and underground service line installation, repair and replacement
- Metering work including installation and removal
- Consumer mains upgrades
- Private power pole installation and replacement
- Emergency defect repairs to service lines and points of connection
The accreditation pathway for a Level 2 ASP requires holding an NSW electrical licence and then obtaining Level 2 ASP accreditation, which includes demonstrated competency across the categories of work the ASP will be authorised to perform.
What Is A Level 3 Electrician?
Level 3 ASPs sit above Level 1 in the network hierarchy. A Level 3 ASP designs network extensions and upgrades — the engineering and design work that Level 1 ASPs then construct. Most consumers never need to engage a Level 3 ASP directly, as this work is typically managed through the network operator. This level is included here because it is a search term some readers arrive with, and it is useful to place it correctly in the hierarchy.
What Is The Difference Between A Level 1 And Level 2 Electrician?
Should I change my light bulbs to LED?
As experts in the field, we highly recommend changing over to LED lightbulbs. Not only are LEDs better for the environment, but they can save you money too. It is estimated that switching to LED bulbs saves the average Australian household $102 per year, plus they are quick to install using your existing fittings.
How often should my devices be safety tested?
Having your devices test and tagged ensures that they are working safely and efficiently, protecting you, your property, customers and staff. In Australia, the legal requirements for device test and tagging vary between industries:
Construction: every 3 months
Warehouses: every 6 months
Healthcare & education: every 12 months
For domestic appliances, we recommend carrying out safety testing around every 2-3 years. This can include devices such as kettles, toasters, microwaves, irons, washing machines and more.
Do I need an electrician for my renovation project?
Yes, it’s important to hire a licensed electrician for any renovation that involves electrical work. At John McEwan Electrical, we handle everything from rewiring to installing new lighting and power points, ensuring your renovation is safe and up to code.
The core distinction is where in the network each level operates.
A Level 1 ASP builds and extends the network itself — the poles, lines, cables and substations that make up the distribution infrastructure. This work is typically associated with new subdivisions, network extensions to reach new properties, and upgrades to network capacity.
A Level 2 ASP works on the connection between the existing network and an individual property — the service line running from the street to the building, the meter, and the point of connection. Level 2 work is what most property owners and developers actually need when they are connecting, disconnecting or upgrading their supply.
What Is The Difference Between A General Electrician And A Level 2 Electrician?
This is the question most homeowners are actually trying to answer, and it is worth addressing directly.
A standard licensed electrician — one who holds an electrical contractor or worker licence through NSW Fair Trading — is authorised to carry out internal electrical work within a property. This covers the work most people associate with an electrician: installing and repairing lights, power points, ceiling fans, appliances, safety switches and switchboard work within the home. A licensed electrician cannot legally work on the service line, meter or point of connection to the network.
A Level 2 ASP, by contrast, is specifically accredited to work on the connection between the network and the property. This includes:
- Replacing or repairing a damaged service line
- Upgrading consumer mains to increase supply capacity
- Replacing a private power pole
- Disconnecting or reconnecting supply at the point of connection
- Installing or removing a meter
When a general electrician carries out internal work that requires changes to the service line or metering — for example, a switchboard upgrade that necessitates a consumer mains upgrade — they must engage a Level 2 ASP to carry out the network connection work. The two roles are complementary rather than competing.
If you are unsure which type of electrician your job requires, the nature of the work is the determining factor: anything inside the property is a standard licensed electrician; anything from the street or the point of connection inward is Level 2 ASP territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 electrician?
A Level 1 ASP constructs and extends the electricity distribution network itself — poles, cables and substations. A Level 2 ASP works on the connection between the existing network and an individual property, including service lines, metering and disconnections and reconnections. Most residential and commercial property owners need a Level 2 ASP rather than a Level 1.
Do I need a Level 2 electrician to upgrade my switchboard?
Not necessarily. Switchboard work inside the property — replacing the board, adding circuits, installing safety switches — is carried out by a standard licensed electrician. If the switchboard upgrade also requires upgrading the consumer mains or increasing the supply capacity at the point of connection, a Level 2 ASP is required for that component of the work. Your electrician will advise you if a Level 2 ASP needs to be involved.
Can a Level 2 electrician disconnect power to my house?
Yes. Disconnection and reconnection at the point of supply is a core Level 2 ASP service. This includes planned disconnections for renovations or demolition, emergency disconnections following damage, and reconnections after work is completed.
How do I check if an electrician is an Accredited Service Provider in NSW?
ASP accreditation in NSW is administered through the relevant accreditation bodies approved under the ASP Scheme. You can verify an ASP's accreditation status by asking them for their ASP number and confirming it with the accreditation body or the relevant network operator. A legitimate Level 2 ASP will have current accreditation and will be able to demonstrate authorisation to work on the specific network — Endeavour Energy or Ausgrid — that services your property.
John McEwan Electrical: Level 2 ASP In Wollongong And The Illawarra
John McEwan Electrical is a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider servicing Wollongong and the Illawarra, with accreditation across all categories of Level 2 service work on the Endeavour Energy network. Whether you need a disconnection, a consumer mains upgrade, a private power pole replacement or an emergency defect repair, our team can carry out the work legally and efficiently.
For more detail on the full scope of Level 2 work we carry out, visit our Level 2 Electrician page or contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
