About Us

Welcome to the Victorian Electricity Supply Industry (VESI) website. This website is jointly managed by the five Victorian Major Electricity Companies. (Formerly known as Distribution Networks or Distribution Businesses – DB’s) namely CitiPower, Powercor, AusNet, Jemena and United Energy, with the transmission network owned and operated by AusNet.

In simple terms VESI is not a company, corporation nor a business, it is a registered trade mark and when the five Major Electricity Companies jointly agree to a procedure, practice or process then they brand it as a VESI document to enable consistency, compliance and transportability across the companies.

The VESI logo is registered by AusNet on behalf of the companies that own the five electricity distribution networks in Victoria.  Its use is limited to the development of material that is accepted and endorsed by the five electricity distribution networks, e.g. the Green Book, NGZ Guidelines and the Fieldworker Handbook. Other companies that are outside the VESI may be allowed use of the VESI logo only with written permission that is endorsed by the five distribution networks in Victoria.  Permission in the first instance should be sought from the Green Book Committee Chairperson.

This website has been established to provide a common platform for the storage and reference for industry related information, links and contacts for documentation and issues common to all the businesses within VESI.

History

There have been many improvements in the VESI over the years, some initiated by the VESI and others by government, please find below a snapshot of changes over the years: 

YearItem
2014Switching Authorities – Common Log Book established
2013Electrical Safety Rules for the VESI Distribution Networks The Green Book revision
National Licencing – decision by COAG not to undertake
Trial commenced of Skills Passport Smart Card for authorities only at United Energy
2012National competency for Testing of Connections introduced to comply with AS4741
2011National Refresher Training Competency Units introduced
2010After consultation with industry the Passport Steering Committee membership expanded to include the ETU, E-Oz and industry stakeholders.
National ESI Skills passport launched with a paper based passport in VESI and a smart card in some states
Victorian qualification for Asset Inspection established

2009Updated national training package launched (UET 09)
A national refresher training protocol in the form of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the ENA, the Hon. Martin Ferguson MP, all Network Operators, and the ETU. The MOU identified minimum refresher training competencies and confirmed agreement for mutual recognition of these competencies during mutual aid events.
2008VESI Website launched and all industry related information and published here
The VESI Skills and Training Reference Committee commenced
The VESI Skills and Training Guideline and matrix launched
First VESI Skills and Training Reference Committee forum launched
The ESI Passport Steering Committee established by ENA
2007Sector based committee disestablished
2006Updated Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for the Distribution Businesses in the VESI – The Green Book revised
Updated national training package launched (UET 06)
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) publish ENA DOC – 013 Network Passport Guideline
2005Victorian Certificate IV in Electrical Inspection established
2004Section 10 Committee established by the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector (OCEI) to implement a registration system for employees in the VESI. The system was launched in late 2004 and commenced with the category of Lineworkers.
After consultation with the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector (OCEI), the ETU and industry stakeholders, the VESI Passport was launched. The VESI Passport was the first state based Passport system, and recorded inductions, authorisations, refresher training and competencies.
1999Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for the Distribution Businesses in the VESI – The Green Book published
1998First national training package launched (UTT98)
Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for the Distribution Businesses in the VESI – The Green Book published
1992The SECV updated all field refresher training processes including guidance materials for trainers and new Module Descriptors. (Module Descriptors were the predecessors to modern Competency Standard Units)
1969The SECV implemented their enterprise based apprentice training program for Linesmen, the first in Australia which pre-dated national qualifications by 30 years. Prior to this the SECV trained linesmen using an ABC rating system