The short answer
In NSW, poles, lines, crossarms and fittings beyond the connection point belong to the property owner, and the owner has to maintain them. On rural properties the connection point is typically the first pole on the property, so every pole after that, running to the house, sheds or pumps, is usually yours. Essential Energy recommends having private poles and lines inspected by a qualified contractor every year before bushfire season and after major storms. Maintenance of a private pole that's connected to the network must be arranged with the distributor (Essential Energy) or an authorised Accredited Service Provider (ASP).
How to tell if a pole is private
Essential Energy labels private poles with a "PP" prefix. If you're not sure where your connection point is, ask Essential Energy (general enquiries 13 23 91). Their free "Look Up and Live" map and app shows overhead powerlines. Essential Energy also offers property powerline maps.
Common private assets on Riverina properties:
- a run of poles from the boundary pole to the homestead
- lines branching off to shearing sheds, machinery sheds or workers' cottages
- poles out to bores and irrigation pumps
- aerial consumer mains (the overhead cable from the last pole to your switchboard), which customers also maintain
Why it matters
Private lines age like anything else. Timber poles rot at the base, crossarms split, insulators crack, trees grow into the lines and stock rub on stays. A failed private pole can start a fire, drop a live line across a paddock or track, or leave you without power to the house or pumps at the worst time.
Essential Energy can also patrol private lines under the Electricity Supply Act 1995. If they find a problem, the owner is generally the one who needs to fix it.
What an annual inspection looks for
Have a qualified contractor inspect the poles and lines each year before bushfire season, and again after a major storm. Things worth having looked at:
- pole condition at and below ground level, and any lean
- crossarms, insulators and fittings
- line sag and clearance to the ground, tracks and gateways
- vegetation near or touching lines
- stays and their anchors
- damage from vehicles, machinery or stock
Between inspections, keep an eye out yourself from a safe distance. Look for leaning poles, sagging lines, branches near lines, burn marks or anything hanging. Never climb a pole or try to clear branches off a line.
Who can do the work?
This is where people get caught out. Work on private poles connected to the network isn't ordinary electrical work. Under the Service and Installation Rules of NSW (April 2026 edition), maintenance of a private pole connected to the network has to be arranged with the distributor or an authorised ASP.
NSW has three ASP levels:
- Level 1 builds network assets, such as extensions and substations.
- Level 2 installs and connects customer service lines between the network and the connection point, and does work at the main switchboard.
- Level 3 designs network assets.
Only ASPs can carry out work on service lines, supply upgrades and similar work in NSW under the Electricity Supply Act 1995. For customer-funded contestable work, you choose the ASP and pay them directly. The NSW Government suggests getting quotes from at least three ASPs.
What NAF Electrical does and doesn't do. Nelson is a licensed electrical contractor (licence 374694C), not an advertised ASP, so he doesn't work on private poles or the overhead lines connected to the network. What he can do is everything on your side of the installation once power reaches the switchboard: switchboards and sub-boards in the house and sheds, new circuits, safety switches, fault finding, pumps and shed wiring. He can also help you work out what needs an ASP and coordinate with them.
Planning new lines or sheds
If you're adding a new shed, bore pump or cottage a long way from the house, you'll need to decide how power gets there. Options can include extending private overhead lines (ASP work) or running underground cable from an existing switchboard (often electrician's work, depending on the setup, so ask Nelson). Big new loads such as irrigation pumps may also need a connection application to Essential Energy if they push maximum demand past what your connection agreement allows. See power to a shed and three-phase power.
Safety around poles and lines
- Essential Energy flags machinery over 4.6 m as a higher risk around powerlines.
- Keep untrained people and machinery at least 3 m from lines up to 132 kV, and use a safety observer.
- If a line or pole comes down, stay at least 8 m away and call 13 20 80, or 000 if anyone's life is at risk.
More on this in our farm electrical safety guide.
Bushfire season checklist
- Book the annual private pole and line inspection before the season starts.
- Clear vegetation around poles at ground level (without going near the lines).
- Note anything that looks wrong and report it to the contractor or Essential Energy.
- After any big storm, look over the lines again from a safe distance.
- Keep the property powerline map somewhere workers can see it.
Common questions
Who owns the power poles on my property in NSW?
Generally, poles and lines beyond the connection point belong to the property owner. On rural properties, the connection point is typically the first pole on the property. Private poles are labelled with a "PP" prefix.
Who is responsible for maintaining private power poles?
The property owner. Essential Energy recommends a yearly inspection by a qualified contractor before bushfire season and after major storms. Maintenance of a private pole connected to the network must be arranged with the distributor or an authorised ASP.
Can a normal electrician replace a private power pole?
Not unless they're an authorised ASP. Under the Service and Installation Rules of NSW, maintenance of a private pole connected to the network must be arranged with the distributor or an authorised ASP.
How can I find out where my connection point is?
Ask Essential Energy on 13 23 91. Their "Look Up and Live" map and app shows overhead powerlines, and they offer property powerline maps.
What does an electrician do if I have private lines?
A licensed electrician like Nelson works on your installation from the switchboard onwards: sheds, pumps, circuits, safety switches and fault finding. He can help you work out what needs an ASP and coordinate the job.