Temporary Builders Supply
in Sydney
Need power on site before the permanent connection is ready? We can install a temporary builders supply so construction can keep moving.
Temporary power is generally available up to 63 amps in single or three phase. We can organise the NMI, coordinate the connection with your energy retailer and handle the required network paperwork.
Where possible, the temporary supply pole can later be used for the permanent connection once construction is complete.
Allow up to two weeks for the temporary power to be connected and switched on.
- ASP Level 2: Ausgrid, Endeavour, Essential
- NSW Contractor Licence 381215C
- Established 2016
- Fully insured
- We are available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, and Saturdays by appointment.
Call 0422 631 213 →
Why this matters on a build program
Temporary supply is a critical path item that gets treated as an afterthought. Three things make it bite.
The connection cannot be applied for until a retail electricity account exists for the site and a National Meter Identifier has been issued. That is a retailer step, not a network step, and it happens before the distributor sees anything. Endeavour Energy states approval can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on complexity. Ausgrid does not publish a lead time.
AS/NZS 3012:2019 is called up as a mandatory standard in NSW by section 163 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025. It sets not just how the board is built but how often everything downstream of it has to be inspected and tested, with records kept for the duration of the job. Those obligations sit with the site, and a SafeWork inspector can ask for the register.
Endeavour Energy states plainly that temporary builder’s supplies are not an approved supply arrangement for continued supply of a site. It gets decommissioned and a permanent connection is applied for separately, with its own NMI.
When you need one
- A new build on a site with no existing connection
- A knockdown rebuild where the existing service is being demolished with the house
- A subdivision or multi-dwelling development before permanent supply is energised
- A major renovation where the existing supply has to be disconnected or is inadequate for site plant
- A site where the existing supply exists but cannot carry construction load
A temporary builders supply is one lawful option, not the only one. AS/NZS 3012 also permits construction wiring to be fed from an existing permanent switchboard, a generator or an inverter. Where a metered network connection is cheaper and quieter than running a generator for months, which on most suburban builds it is, a TBS is the sensible choice.
If you are not sure whether your site needs a temporary supply or can go straight to permanent, call before you lodge anything. It is a cheaper conversation than an unwinding one.
What is actually involved.
Sizing
Load is calculated by a qualified person under AS/NZS 3000 for the plant you will actually run, and the supply is set up as single phase or three phase accordingly. Get this wrong in either direction and you either trip constantly or pay for capacity you never use.
Our standard is 63 amps
Single phase or three phase, both at 63 amps. That covers most suburban sites and it uses standard cable, which keeps the cost down. Anything above that has to be reviewed by the network, and the cable has to be sized up with it. Undersized cable burns out, which is the real reason the design matters.
Above 100 amps is our specialty. The distributor reviews every application at that level and does not grant them freely. Other electricians, and other Level 2 contractors, bring us in to do their above 100 amp work.
The pole or structure
The temporary board is mounted on a pole, post, wall or free standing structure, sited so leads run sensibly across the site and the board stays accessible and out of the way of plant movement.
The board itself
AS/NZS 3012 requirements, as summarised by SafeWork NSW:
- Constructed of robust material capable of withstanding damage
- Minimum IP23 rating
- Securely mounted
- Doors not removable except with a tool, with locking facilities and door retention devices
- Electric shock and danger warning markings
- A main isolating switch capable of interrupting all downstream circuits
- Bottom cutout labelledKEEP CLOSED, RUN ALL LEADS THROUGH BOTTOM
Source: SafeWork NSW, electrical practices on construction and demolition sites.
RCD protection
All final subcircuits require an RCD with a maximum rated residual current of 30mA, and on construction sites all RCDs must be Type A. RCDs may be at the switchboard, in socket outlets, or built into portable assemblies.
Metering
A temporary builders supply gets its own NMI and its own metering installation, arranged through your retailer.
What our customers say.
The connection process, step by step.
Retail account and NMI, we organise it
A connection application will not be accepted until a National Meter Identifier exists and the site is signed up with a retailer. We handle both. Our admin team generates the NMI from the distributor and signs the site up with a retailer, so you are not chasing it while your program slips.
Load calculation and design
We calculate maximum demand under AS/NZS 3000 for your site plant and confirm single or three phase, along with the siting of the pole and board.
Connection application
The application goes to the network as a new or modified connection, with load details, site layout and the documentation required. Before any service work is done we make sure the application has been submitted and approved.
Installation
We install the pole or support structure, mount and wire the temporary switchboard to AS/NZS 3012, and run the service.
Connection and energisation
The service line is connected at the connection point and the installation energised. This is ASP Level 2 work under classes 2B, 2C and 2D, and the Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work must be in hand before energising.
Paperwork
The Notification of Service Work is lodged with Ausgrid through the Ausgrid Portal. The CCEW goes to Building Commission NSW through the eCert portal, and to the principal contractor and network operator as required.
Decommissioning, or conversion
At handover you have two options. We disconnect and remove the temporary supply, or the pole stays and is converted to the permanent connection. The temporary service arrangement is not a permanent supply arrangement, but the pole itself does not have to be wasted. We will tell you at design stage which makes sense for your site. See our power pole replacement and installation page for how a retained pole converts to the permanent connection.
Up to 2weeks
From first call to an energised site
That covers the NMI and retailer sign-up, the network application and the install.
No network publishes a lead time
Put plainly: allow two weeks before you start demolishing the house.
This figure is from our own jobs, not a brochure.
Your ongoing testing and record obligations.
This is the part that gets missed, and it is where a site gets exposed. AS/NZS 3012, as summarised by SafeWork NSW, sets these intervals:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Construction wiring and switchboards | Inspected and tested by a licensed electrician before energising, then visual re-inspection at intervals not exceeding 6 months |
| Portable equipment and extension leads | Inspected and tested to AS/NZS 3760 at intervals not exceeding 3 months |
| Portable RCDs | Push button test before each use, operating time test every 3 months |
| Fixed RCDs | Push button test monthly, operating time test yearly |
| Hire equipment | Inspected on introduction to service, then tested at intervals not exceeding 1 month |
Records that have to be kept for the duration of the job: an equipment register, formal inspection and test records, a repairs register and faulty equipment log, and test results including visual inspection date, earthing continuity, insulation resistance, polarity and RCD trip times.
We install and connect the supply. We do not offer ongoing site testing and tagging, so that obligation stays with the site and needs a separate arrangement.
Pricing
What it costs.
None of the four named competitors publishes a price for this at all.
| Work | From |
|---|---|
| Temporary builders supply, standard 63 amp, single or three phase | $2,000 |
It moves with capacity, the length of the service run, site access and what the network requires. Pricing depends on single or three phase, the capacity required, the pole or structure needed, the length of the service run, site access, and how long the supply stays in place.
What we can tell you is how we quote: itemised in writing, with the network application and paperwork included rather than added later, and with the decommissioning position stated up front so it is not a surprise at handover.
What is included, and what is not.
Included
- Load assessment and maximum demand calculation
- We organise your NMI and your retailer sign-up
- Connection application to the network
- Supply and installation of the private pole
- Temporary switchboard to AS/NZS 3012, with RCD protected power points
- Service connection, testing and energisation
- NOSW and CCEW lodgement
- Decommissioning and removal at completion
Not included unless quoted
- The electricity consumed, which the retailer bills to you
- Ongoing inspection, testing and tagging of site equipment and leads, which is not a service we offer
- Sub-boards and distribution beyond the temporary supply board, see our switchboard page
- Generator hire
- Traffic control
- Core holing, also called excavation through rock
- Asbestos handling where present, which we do in house at an additional cost
- The permanent connection at handover
Why builders use a Level 2 ASP directly.
Under the NSW ASP Scheme Rules, connection services to customers’ premises may only be provided by accredited service providers authorised by the electricity distributor.
Accreditation is granted by the Minister, but that is only half of it: personnel must also be authorised by the individual distributor whose network they are working on. For a temporary builders supply, the Level 2 classes that apply are 2B for underground services, 2C for overhead services and 2D for energising service equipment and metering, along with 2A for disconnection and reconnection.
Practically, using a Level 2 accredited contractor directly means one party carries the connection application, the installation, the energisation, the network notification and the decommissioning. On a build program where the site cannot start until power is live, that matters more than it sounds. A general electrician has to bring a Level 2 in for the network side and marks that up on top of their own work. Deal direct and there is one contractor and one margin, and when something stalls there is one person to call and no argument about whose step it was.
Which network your site falls under changes the application. A site at Ryde or Randwick goes through Ausgrid. A site out at Liverpool goes through Endeavour Energy. We are accredited with both, plus Essential Energy, so we confirm which applies and lodge accordingly rather than losing a week to a misdirected application.
Source: NSW Government, ASP scheme and contestable works. energy.nsw.gov.au
Our credentials.
Licence, accreditation and insurance for a site induction pack.
- ASP Level 2, accredited and authorised with Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy
- NSW Electrical Contractor Licence 381215C
- Public liability and workers compensation insurance. Certificates of currency provided on acceptance of quote, for your site induction pack
- Member, National Electrical Contractors Association
- Established 2016, with a combined 20 years of trade experience across residential homes, warehouses, cafes and restaurants, and industrial premises
- Project history including TAFE NSW Miller Campus, Mona Vale Hospital, Wet and Wild Blacktown and PARKROYAL Parramatta
- Work carried out to AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 3012 and the NSW Service and Installation Rules
- Warranty: 12 months on items and materials, lifetime on workmanship, provided no other contractor has worked on it since
Where we work.
Brilliant Electric connects sites right across Sydney from a base at ASP Level 2 , 76-84 Karne St N, Riverwood NSW 2210. Most of our work sits in four areas.
Ryde and Eastwood
Including Marsfield, West Ryde, Denistone, Meadowbank and Macquarie Park.
Chatswood and the lower North Shore
Including Willoughby, Artarmon, Northbridge, Lane Cove and Roseville.
Randwick and the eastern suburbs
Including Coogee, Kensington, Kingsford, Maroubra and Clovelly.
Hurstville and the St George area
Including Bexley, Oatley, Peakhurst, Carlton, Beverly Hills, Kingsgrove, Mortdale, Penshurst and Riverwood.
We also work regularly through East Hills, Panania and Revesby in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, and out toward Liverpool.
Why the network operator matters here
Almost all of that footprint is in Ausgrid’s distribution area: Ryde, Willoughby, Lane Cove, Ku-ring-gai, Randwick, Georges River, Bayside and Canterbury-Bankstown are all Ausgrid council areas. Liverpool is Endeavour Energy.
We are accredited and authorised with Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy, so we can work either side of that boundary without handing your job to another contractor. We confirm the network operator against Ausgrid’s network area check before quoting. On a construction program the distinction is worth knowing early, because the two distributors run different application processes and the lead times are not identical.
Frequently asked questions.
What is a temporary builders supply?
A short term metered electricity connection that powers a construction site before permanent supply exists. It is also called a builders pole, a temporary power supply or a TBS, and all three describe the same thing. Ausgrid refers to it as a Temporary Builder’s Service, applied for as a new or modified connection, and it requires its own National Meter Identifier.
Who arranges the electricity account for a temporary builders supply?
We do. A connection application will not be accepted until a National Meter Identifier exists and the site is signed up with a retailer. Brilliant Electric generates the NMI from the distributor and arranges the retailer sign-up, so the builder is not chasing it.
How long does it take to get a temporary builders supply connected?
Allow up to two weeks from first call to an energised site. That covers the NMI and retailer sign-up, the network connection application and the installation. No network publishes a lead time, so this figure comes from our own jobs. Endeavour Energy states approval alone can take from a few days to several weeks depending on complexity.
How much does a temporary builders supply cost?
From $2,000 for a standard 63 amp supply, single or three phase. That is a starting price. It moves with the capacity required, the pole or structure needed, the length of the service run, site access, and how long the supply stays in place.
Do I need a Level 2 electrician for a temporary builders supply?
Yes for the connection itself. Connection services may only be provided by an Accredited Service Provider authorised by the distributor, under Level 2 classes 2B, 2C and 2D. Construction wiring downstream of the temporary board is ordinary licensed electrical work under AS/NZS 3012.
Should my temporary builders supply be single phase or three phase?
Our standard supply is 63 amps, available single phase or three phase. Which one you need depends on the plant you are running, and three phase costs more, so tell us what is going on site rather than guessing. Anything above 63 amps has to be reviewed by the network and the cable sized accordingly. Above 100 amps is reviewed by the distributor in every case, and it is work we specialise in.
Do I need council approval for a temporary builders pole?
We have found no NSW requirement for council approval specific to siting a temporary builders supply. Where your site has development consent conditions affecting hoardings, site setup or services, those conditions still apply.
How long can a temporary builders supply stay in place?
Neither Ausgrid nor Endeavour Energy publishes a maximum period, but it is temporary by design. Endeavour Energy states temporary builder’s supplies are not an approved supply arrangement for continued supply of a site. Applications typically require a nominated decommission date and a named responsible party.
Does a temporary builders supply convert into the permanent connection?
The temporary service arrangement is not a permanent supply arrangement, so a separate permanent connection is applied for with its own NMI. The pole itself does not have to be wasted. At handover we either disconnect and remove the temporary supply, or retain the pole and convert it to the permanent connection. We advise which suits your site at design stage.
What are my electrical testing obligations on a construction site?
Under AS/NZS 3012, construction wiring and switchboards require visual re-inspection at intervals not exceeding 6 months, portable equipment and leads testing at intervals not exceeding 3 months, portable RCD push button testing before each use and operating time testing every 3 months, fixed RCD push button testing monthly and operating time testing yearly, and hire equipment testing at intervals not exceeding 1 month. Records must be kept for the duration of the job. We install and connect the supply, we do not provide ongoing site testing and tagging.
What does a temporary site switchboard have to comply with?
AS/NZS 3012, which is mandatory in NSW under section 163 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025. Requirements include robust construction, a minimum IP23 rating, secure mounting, doors removable only with a tool, danger markings, a main isolating switch, and 30mA RCD protection on all final subcircuits. On construction sites all RCDs must be Type A.
Who removes the temporary supply at the end of the build?
Whoever is nominated as the responsible party on the application. Brilliant Electric decommissions and removes the temporary supplies it installs.
What paperwork do I receive for a temporary builders supply?
A Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work, lodged through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal no later than seven days after the electrical test and provided to the principal contractor and network operator as required, plus a Notification of Service Work lodged with Ausgrid.
Can you attend after hours or on weekends?
No. We work business hours and we do not run a 24/7 or emergency service. For urgent concerns during business hours, call and we will tell you honestly when we can get there. If something on site is actively dangerous, call Ausgrid on 13 13 88, which operates 24 hours a day.
Site about to start?
Call and we will tell you what your retailer needs, what the network needs, and a realistic timeframe to energised. Or send us the site address, your expected plant and load, single or three phase if you know it, and your start date.
0422 631 213
For a dangerous situation on site, call Ausgrid on 13 13 88. That line operates 24 hours. We work business hours and do not run an emergency service.
Brilliant Electric ASP Level 2
ASP Level 2 , 76-84 Karne St N, Riverwood NSW 2210
0422 631 213
Office hours Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Saturday by appointment. For urgent concerns, call and we will tell you where you sit. We do not run a 24/7 emergency service. For a dangerous situation on site, call Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
Accreditation
- ASP Level 2, accredited with Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy
- NSW Electrical Contractor Licence 381215C
- Public liability and workers compensation insured
- NECA member, established 2016
Our guarantee
12 months on items and materials, and a lifetime guarantee on our workmanship, provided no other contractor has worked on it since. During business hours we answer the phone straight away. How quickly we can get someone on site depends on the run that day, and we will tell you honestly when we book.
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