Level 2 Electrician vs. Regular Electrician: What’s the Difference?

When you search for “electrician Wollongong” or “level 2 electrician Wollongong”, you may see both “regular electricians” and “level 2 electricians” offering services. Could you please clarify what a Level 2 electrician is and how they differ from a regular electrician? This blog explains what separates them, when to use which, and how to choose the right one for your job in Wollongong.

What is a Regular Electrician?

A “regular electrician” (sometimes called a general, domestic, or standard electrician) is someone qualified to work on many everyday electrical tasks inside homes, shops, offices, or small commercial properties. Their tasks often include:

• Installing or replacing light fittings, power points, switches
• Wiring and rewiring circuits inside buildings
• Installing kitchen appliances, ovens, and air conditioners (within the building)
• Fault finding, repairs and maintenance
• Upgrading switchboards (within limits)
• Safety inspections, compliance checks

In other words, regular electricians perform most of the standard jobs that people commonly need in houses, units or commercial premises.

However, regular electricians typically do not have the authority to work directly on the main supply network or service lines that connect your property to the utility network.

What is a Level 2 Electrician?

A Level 2 electrician is a more specialised type of electrician who is authorised to work on the parts of the electrical system that link your property to the main electricity network. In Australia, a Level 2 electrician is often also called an Accredited Service Provider (ASP2) in many states.

These are the extra tasks a Level 2 electrician can legally do:

• Disconnecting and reconnecting properties to the electricity network
• Installing, maintaining or repairing service lines (both overhead and underground) that run from the network to your metre or switchboard
• Repairing or replacing damaged supply cables (for example, those worn by UV or storms)
• Upgrading or modifying your connection to higher phases (e.g., 2-phase or 3-phase conversions)
• Carrying out metering and switching works on the network side, in coordination with the network operator

Effectively, a Level 2 electrician can do everything a regular electrician does, plus these more specialised network connection tasks.

Key Differences Summarised

From this, it’s clear that Level 2 electricians are a superset; they can do everything a regular electrician can, plus the higher-risk, network-level work.

Why the Distinction Matters for You in Wollongong

Living in Wollongong or the broader Illawarra region, you might run into situations where you think a regular electrician is enough, but you actually need a Level 2 electrician. Here are some real examples:

• If a storm damages the overhead supply cable to your home. A regular electrician cannot legally repair it; you need a Level 2 electrician to restore the supply from the network side.
• When you subdivide a block and need a new connection from the network to the new lot.
• If your existing connection is not sufficient and you want to upgrade (say, for high-load equipment) to 3-phase.
• When you buy or build a new property and require the main supply connection to be made or permanently disconnected.
• For metering or switching works that involve network components.

If you call a regular electrician in Wollongong for one of these jobs, they may refuse, or you may later incur additional costs to hire a Level 2 electrician to fix or rework parts of the job.

On the other hand, for typical home tasks like installing lighting, repairing circuits, and so on, a regular electrician is usually enough and more cost-effective.

Licensing, Training & Accreditation

Regular Electrician

To become a regular electrician in NSW (which includes Wollongong), a person usually undertakes:

1. Certificate III in Electro technology Electrician, a formal qualification in the electrical trade.
2. An apprenticeship over several years, combining on-the-job work and technical training.
3. A licence or electrical contractor licence, depending on the state’s requirements.

Once qualified, they can legally undertake domestic, commercial or light industrial electrical work.

Level 2 Electrician / ASP2

To become a Level 2 electrician, one must already hold the relevant electrician qualifications and licence. Then additional steps include:

• Undertaking further training or assessments in connection work, safety, and network standards.
• Gaining accreditation or authorisation from the local electricity network operator (becoming an Accredited Service Provider, e.g., ASP2 in NSW)
• Being approved to perform network-side tasks under strict safety and regulatory guidelines.

Because Level 2 work is more complex, it often involves more liability, stricter safety protocols, and closer coordination with utility companies.

When Should You Call Which?

Here’s a guide to help you decide when you need a regular electrician in Wollongong and when a Level 2 electrician is necessary:

Use a Regular Electrician for:

• Installing or replacing lights, fans, switches, and power points
• Internal rewiring or circuit repairs
• Appliance installations inside the building
• Routine maintenance, safety checks
• Minor upgrades of internal switchboards

Use a Level 2 Electrician (or ask them) when:

• You need a property disconnected or reconnected from the network.
• You require installation or repair of the supply line from the street or network to your property.
• You want to convert your supply to a higher phase (e.g., to 3-phase power).
• The network supply cable is damaged (by weather, UV, storms).
• Metering or switching work that affects network-side components

Sometimes, a project might need both a regular electrician (for inside work) and a Level 2 electrician (for connection work). You can arrange a joint plan so work is seamless.

How to Find a Reliable Level 2 Electrician in Wollongong

Here are tips to help you choose a skilled, trustworthy electrician in Wollongong, especially if you want Level 2 work:

1. Check accreditation / licence: Ask if they are an Accredited Service Provider (ASP2) or have Level 2 accreditation. That confirms they can work on network connection tasks.
2. Ask for past job examples: Ask them whether they have done supply line repairs, service reconnections, or network side jobs.
3. Check insurance & safety compliance: The nature of Level 2 work is higher risk. They should have the right insurances and follow safety protocols.
4. Get detailed quotes: Because Level 2 tasks often involve utility approvals, permits or network charges, make sure quotes show breakdowns for materials, regulatory fees, labour and coordination with the electricity provider.
5. Local knowledge matters: A Level 2 electrician based in Wollongong or the Illawarra region is more likely to understand local network rules, standards, and logistics.
6. Look for reviews & recommendations: Check what previous clients say about their reliability, punctuality, and quality.

Benefits & Risks: Why the Distinction Is Important

Benefits of using the right electrician:

• Safety: Network-side faults or incorrect connection work can be dangerous. Only accredited Level 2 electricians are authorised to work in that space under strict protocols.
• Compliance: If you use someone not authorised to do network work, you may get in trouble with local utilities or regulators.
• Cost efficiency: You avoid doing work twice (if a general electrician starts and then a Level 2 has to fix it).
• Seamless projects: When you hire electricians who understand both internal wiring and supply connection, the job goes more smoothly.
• Guarantees: Accredited Level 2 personnel often come with warranties or guarantees accepted by network providers.

Risks of getting it wrong:

• A regular electrician attempting a network task may be illegal or uninsurable.
• The local utility may reject or require rework of the connection.
• Safety hazards may occur, putting persons and property at risk.
• Unexpected costs might arise if regulatory approval or corrections are needed.

Example Scenario in Wollongong

Suppose you own a home in Wollongong and want to add a large workshop in your backyard with heavy machinery. You may need to increase your supply to 3-phase power and connect a new service line from the street.

• A regular electrician in Wollongong can plan and install wiring inside the home and building, place switchboards, and set up circuits.
• But for connecting the new service line from the street to your metre, coordinating with the network operator, and switching the supply, you must hire a Level 2 electrician.

If the regular electrician you engage knows a trusted Level 2, that’s ideal; cooperation ensures the entire job proceeds smoothly without unexpected delays or rework.

Final Thoughts

Regular electricians are your go-to professionals for nearly all everyday electrical work inside buildings. Level 2 electricians are specialised, accredited professionals who work on the boundary between your property and the electricity network. They carry extra responsibility, training, and authority.

According to the NSW Government Energy website, Level 2 electricians (also known as Accredited Service Providers) are authorised to perform connection services between homes or businesses and the electricity network, including disconnections, reconnections, and metering tasks.

In Wollongong, if you ever need connection to the network, reconnection, or service line work, ‘Level 2 Electrician Wollongong’ is the right search term. But for basic jobs like lights or internal rewiring, searching ‘Electrician Wollongong’ is often enough.