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Victoria · Transmission · Declared shared network

Connect in Victoria - VicGrid & the declared shared network.

Victoria is the NEM's structural exception: VicGrid manages the connection process, AusNet owns and operates the assets as DTSO, and AEMO still sits on standards and registration.

At a glance

Victoria at a glance

RulebookNER Chapter 5, applied to the declared shared network
Who you deal withVicGrid manages connections (transferred from AEMO on 1 November 2025); AusNet is the DTSO; AEMO on standards and registration
Indicative timelineComparable to other NEM regions for the engineering stages
ScopeTransmission-connected generation, storage and large loads

Quick answers

Victoria, quickly

Who manages Victorian transmission connections now?

VicGrid. Victorian transmission connections transferred from AEMO to VicGrid on 1 November 2025 - VicGrid manages the connection process for the declared shared network, including enquiries, applications, agreements and commissioning.

What does AusNet still do?

AusNet remains the declared transmission system operator (DTSO): it owns and operates most of the physical assets, delivers works on them, and is a party to the agreements that put your connection on its network.

Does NER Chapter 5 still apply in Victoria?

Yes. The spine - enquiry, application, 5.3.4A performance standards, registration, R1/R2 - is unchanged; the process owner is what differs from other NEM regions.

What is the declared shared network?

Victoria's transmission network - the NEM's structural exception. AusNet owns and operates most of the physical assets as the declared transmission system operator, while a separate body - now VicGrid - manages connection to it.

Who assesses my models in Victoria?

Submissions can involve VicGrid as process manager, AusNet as asset owner and AEMO on standards and registration - so model consistency across audiences matters even more than usual.

How long does a Victorian connection take?

Comparable to other NEM regions for the engineering stages - with an honest caveat: new arrangements are bedding in after the 1 November 2025 transfer, and process transitions can add coordination time. Build it into the programme rather than discovering it.

The pathway

The Victorian path to an agreement

  1. Pre-feasibility

    Feasibility studies, connection options and early technical reviews are available ahead of the formal process.

  2. Connection enquiry

    Lodged through the declared-network process VicGrid manages, under the NER framework.

  3. Connection application

    Detailed plant data, proposed performance standards and the models behind them.

  4. Performance standards and system strength

    Negotiated with AEMO under clause 5.3.4A and assessed as elsewhere in the NEM.

  5. Connection agreements

    With the parties delivering the physical connection, including AusNet for works on its assets.

  6. Construction, registration and commissioning

    Through to R1/R2 validation.

Two engineers inspecting a large power transformer with HV bushings

Studies

The standard suite - with more audiences

System strengthAssessed as elsewhere in the NEM.
Stability & GPS modellingPerformance standards negotiated from validated models.
PSS®E RMSWide-area dynamics for negotiation and registration.
PSCAD EMTFast inverter control behaviour, validated through commissioning.

Victoria's institutional structure does not change the studies - it changes the coordination. Submissions can involve VicGrid, AusNet and AEMO, so model consistency across audiences matters even more than usual. Power system studies.

The honest part

Where it gets hard

Three parties, one programme

Process manager (VicGrid), asset owner (AusNet) and AEMO on standards - mapping the interfaces on day one rewards proponents. APD has taken Victorian projects through AEMO connection and registration, the Carwarp Solar Farm among them. The studies story.

New arrangements, bedding in

The VicGrid transfer took effect on 1 November 2025 - this page is re-checked quarterly, and your project team should check VicGrid's current guidance at each gate.

Official documents

VicGrid's and AusNet's own pages

VicGrid - access and connections AusNet - transmission connections

Last reviewed: October 2026 · Always confirm current requirements with the network directly.

Proof, not promises

APD in Victoria

Glenellen and Carwarp solar farms

Solar × AEMO

Carwarp Solar Farm

Taken through AEMO connection and registration in the NEM's southern regions - alongside Glenellen in NSW.

The studies story →
Completed 22 kV switchgear lineup in the Yallourn Power Station switchroom

Victorian delivery

Yallourn

Switchgear engineering delivered inside one of Victoria's biggest power stations.

EPC delivery →

Keep navigating

The NEM process

The Chapter 5 spine every region shares.

Open →

ElectraNet (SA)

The neighbouring weak-grid specialist region.

Open →

NEM distribution

Victoria's five distributors, under Chapter 5A.

Open →
Connecting in Victoria? Talk to APD Global ← Back to the Navigator

Pathway summarised from the network's published connection process as at October 2026. Processes, fees and thresholds change - the network's own documents are the authority.