Pit installations
Pit installations
Low voltage power can be delivered to your home or business via an underground pit installed adjacent to your property boundary by us.

What you need to apply
To assess your project, we need clear and accurate information.
This includes:
- We need to know how much power you need.
If you are unsure, it’s best to check with your registered electrician. - If you need more than 80 amps per phase, you must provide maximum demand calculations (in line with AS3000).
This helps us understand how your request will affect the network. If you need more information, contact your registered electrician. - Site plan and proposed pit location
If you prefer the pit to be installed on a specific boundary, mark it on the plan. If you do not specify a preference, we will choose the closest available boundary. - If you’re subdividing, upload your proposed plan of subdivision.
This helps us to install the pit so it can supply all lots correctly. - If you are acting on behalf of someone else or if someone else will be paying for the works, provide their details for the invoice and contract.
How to apply
To apply for a pit installation, go to our online application portal, mySupply.
After logging in:
- Select Get Power > Residential or Commercial > New or Increased Supply
- Complete ‘New or increased supply’ application form
- Save the application and upload any relevant documentation
- Submit the form
We will review your details and prepare an offer. This will outline the work required and the related charges.
We aim to send you an offer within 20 business days. You will then have 30 days to accept it.
As part of our assessment, we will check if the network can safely and reliably supply your property. We will also review nearby assets and underground services that may affect the work.
Application cost
There is an upfront application fee. This fee is non‑refundable as it covers only the costs associated with reviewing the application and preparing a firm offer.
Use our quick calculator tool to estimate the cost based on how close the property boundary is to our assets.
Construction costs
Pit installation costs vary depending on the job. We will use the lowest‑cost, technically acceptable (LCTA) method to prepare your offer. Any charges are calculated in accordance with the Australian Energy Retailer’s (AER) cost-revenue test.
CitiPower and Powercor have an incremental standard charge for pit installations. These standard charges are in 5-metre intervals and will consider if the pit route needs to cross a road or not. We review and update our standard costs on an annual basis.
If we need to use non‑destructive digging to work safely around other utilities or protect trees, we will add this cost to the standard pit price. To help keep network costs and electricity bills low for all customers, customers who request a new or upgraded connection need to pay for the cost of the works.
Frequently Asked Questions
We do not require our customers to connect via an underground service, however, if you are altering your current service the new service must comply with the current Victorian Service and Installation Rules (VSIRs). You also may need to connect via an underground service if your property is in a high bushfire risk area.
Once the offer is accepted, we will prepare and issue a works order to a member of our contractor panel for delivery.
This will usually take 6 to 8 weeks, however if we need to obtain any council or road permits it may take a little longer.
After the pit is installed, your electrician will need to run the cables from the pit to your main switchboard. This can happen before we have completed the permanent reinstatement of the footpath. Once completed your electrician will need to lodge a connection request via the eConnect portal. We will then work with your retailer to obtain all the required documentation.
The pit must be fully paid for before the connection is approved.
If there are other underground services nearby, such as gas, water or telecommunications, our contractors may need to use a non-destructive digging method. It often involves using hydro-excavation to safely remove soil with water.
This helps complete works safely and protect other services and tree roots. It may slow the work down and require special equipment. In many cases, it is a requirement set by the asset owners.
Permanent reinstatement of the excavation area will take place around 20 days after the pit is installed. This gives time for the ground to settle and helps ensure the final surface meets council standards.
Maybe! We will need to undertake some checks to ensure the installed cable and our network has the capacity to provide you with the supply you need. Please submit an application via mySupply.