Backgrounder

For Registered Electrical Contractors (RECs)

Important information

We strongly recommend that you read the following information prior to quoting for any work (all are available on our website). They detail important information that will help you to quote validly and accurately on work.

the Application Guidelines and Terms of Participation, which sets out the terms and conditions applicable to a RECs participation in the Powerline Replacement Fund Program (PRF Program) and details the application process for RECs;

a Quote Template which details the information that is required to be contained in your quote to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP);

assessment methodology which details how the department assesses quotes; and

a Supplier Application Form, which includes further terms and conditions applicable to REC participation in the PRF Program and must be completed, signed and submitted by you to DELWP. This can be submitted at the same time as your quote and only needs to be done once.

Making powerlines safer in high priority areas

The Victorian Government has launched a funding initiative called the 'PowerlineReplacement Fund' to make powerlines safer in high priority areas that are prone to bushfires.

As part of the PRF Program, the Victorian Government is providing funding to eligible property owners within these areas to place their uninsulated private overhead electric lines (POELs) underground (or in exceptional circumstances, to have their POELs insulated).

The PRF Program is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to implement all of the recommendations of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce.

The PRF Program is being administered by DELWP.

How the funding works

The funding covers the cost of removing the existing uninsulated POEL and replacement works (i.e. undergrounding), or (if an exemption to the requirement to underground the POEL is obtained from Energy Safe Victoria), installing an overhead insulated cables. The works does not extend to any augmentation of the powerline. Any additional work requested by the POEL owner must be quoted for separately.

POEL owners are required to source quotes from a minimum of two RECs which are to be provided directly to DELWP by the RECs. Quotes provided by RECs must comply with the requirements set out in Part 4.1 and the Quote Template and will be reviewed by DELWP when assessing POEL Owner Application Forms. In particular, the REC must conduct a site visit of the property.


To apply to participate in the PRF Program, RECs must also complete, sign and submit the Supplier Application Form.

If a POEL owner's application for funding under the PRF Program is successful, the REC will be issued with a Voucher for the POEL owner's benefit from DELWP specifying, amongst other details, the REC the POEL owner is to engage, the works to be undertaken and the redeemable value of the voucher (inclusive of GST) (Voucher). A copy of the Voucher will be provided to the POEL owner. Upon receiving a Voucher the REC is to contact the POEL owner to make arrangements for the works specified in the Voucher to commence works as soon as practicable.

Once the REC has completed the works specified in the Voucher and provided a Certificate of Electrical Safety to the POEL owner, the POEL owner is to sign and date the Voucher to confirm the works have been completed.

The REC will then sign the Voucher as well and submit it, along with a copy of the Certificate of Electrical Safety and a valid tax invoice for the amount (inclusive of GST) specified in the Voucher, to DELWP for payment. Subject to compliance by the REC with the terms and conditions applicable to the REC's participation in the PRF Program, DELWP will pay the REC the amount specified in the Voucher (inclusive of GST) 30 days from the date of the invoice.

Please note that in all events RECs must complete the work specified in a Voucher within a reasonable timeframe to ensure that the required documentation can be submitted to DELWP before its expiry date. Failure to meet the expiry date may risk non-payment.

Working in accordance with current regulations

For guidance around undergrounding POELs, please visit www.esv.vic.gov.au

For more information

If you have a question in relation to REC participation in the PRF Program, or the use and redemption of a Voucher please email . Alternatively, you can contact the PRF team during business hours on (03) 94124566. Please also refer to the ‘Application Guidelines and Terms of Participation’, 'Quote Template' and the 'Supplier Application Form' available at https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/electricity/powerline-replacement-fund.

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