Authorised Persons (Electrical)

We have recently implemented updates to our Authorised Person approval process. Approval as an Authorised Person (Electrical) is required to:

• work on or near the point of attachment of Ergon Energy Network’s or Energex’s termination;
• remove and replace LV service fuses when required to isolate a service line to eliminate the exclusion zone around the LV service line, or to work on a customer’s consumer mains or switchboard;
• isolate a customer's LV service line at an underground pillar or service pole by removing a fuse wedge(s) from a service line, in accordance with electricity industry practices.

Technical Knowledge and Experience:

Ergon Energy Network and Energex need to ensure that all persons to be approved as Authorised Persons have an appropriate level of technical knowledge and experience to do the work. This includes the operation of plant or vehicle near to the electric lines, and demonstrated competencies in the following areas:

• Complying with the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 for Working Near Overhead and Underground Electrical Lines and Electrical Safety Code of Practice for Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace 2021 (Safe System of Work)
• Identifying low voltage and high voltage electric lines (including ways of determining the voltage present)
• Distinguishing between insulated and uninsulated electric lines
• Understanding the possible causes and risks of electric lines being damaged
• Demonstrating the skills and knowledge needed to implement a safe system of work
• Demonstrating understanding of the unsafe distances and exclusion zone requirements
• Applying emergency procedures in the event of an incident.

The following recognised training courses are available through approved Registered Training Organisations (RTOS) to assist you to meet the above requirements. Please note the changes as outlined below (Online Awareness for Electrical Mechanics) in relation to these courses.

• 1656 - Introduction to Electrical Network Infrastructure for Authorised Persons (T0911) training course through Esitrain or one of our approved licence agreement holders, or
• T0838 / aXc 1009 - Working Safely On or Near Electrical Network Infrastructure in QLD (Contractors), or
• UETDREL006 - Work Safely in the Vicinity of Live Electrical Apparatus as a Non-electrical Worker and the completion of the online course T0790 / aXc 1027 - Introduction to QLD Legislation and Codes of Practice, or
• Legacy course 4490 - Working Safely Near Live Electrical Lines and Apparatus (Ergon Energy Network), or
• Legacy course M320 - Electrical Awareness for Safe Work (OHAW) (Energex).

Please note: A Training Completion Certificate is required from one of the five options above before you can submit your Authorised Person application form.

Authorised Person Approval Letter:

Our Authorised Person Approval Letter has been updated, including a temporary approval period. When you receive your letter, please take the time to read through it to familiarise yourself with any restrictions or limitations that may apply.

Key Changes:

• Temporary Approval Period: The approval timeframe has been temporarily changed from 5 years to 12 months
• Dual Network Validity: Approvals are now valid for both Ergon Energy Network and Energex
• Next Steps: Once the review is complete:
  • The updated approval period will be communicated (via the webpages and new letters that will be issued)
  • A new Authorised Person Approval Letter will be issued reflecting the revised dates, including the back dating to the original approval date.

Online Awareness:

An Online Awareness pack will be available on our network website for Electrical Mechanics to complete in lieu of the above training courses taking into account they are electrically licenced. Upon the completion of this pack, a certificate will be available to submit through the Authorised Person request form .

Authorised Person Request Form:

Our Authorised Person request form has changed to a single entry (name) per application. This is to enable us to assign a specific number to an individual Authorised Person. This in turn will allow us to process the applications in a more efficient manner and differentiate between an initial application or a renewal.

Please ensure that the Applicant Details section relates to the person who is applying to be an authorised person, not the person submitting the form.