What is happening?

Essential Energy is introducing a cloud based Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application, easyeia, for use by Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs). easyeia streamlines the Environmental Impact Assessment process by combining automated constraint checks, interactive mapping and guided reporting into a single platform. The application reduces the time required to complete assessments, improves consistency and minimises the potential for errors.

easyeia replaces the following PDF forms:

• CEOF1070.01 Environmental Impact Assessment: Screening Worksheet
• CEOF1070.02 Review of Environmental Factors Worksheet

Existing PDF forms (CEOF1070.02 - Issue 10) may continue to be used for projects already underway. However, the easyeia application must be used for all projects with a DIP issued after 14 September 2026. Note: we are making this available at no cost to you.

At this stage, Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) data is not included within the application. AHIMS searches will continue to be required and must be submitted as part of design documentation.

Training and resources

A dedicated easyeia support page has been established and includes:

• Overview information about the application
• Instructional video and user guidance
• Frequently asked questions
• Access to training materials

To assist with the rollout of easyeia we will be running introductory training sessions, including a Q&A component for Level 3 ASPs. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.

Register here for the optional training session to be held via Microsoft Teams:

• Wednesday 19 August 2.00 – 3.00pm
• Wednesday 2 September 9.30 – 10.30am

Accessing easyeia

Access easyeia via the support page or visit: Essential Energy easyeia Login

You will need to log in with Microsoft Authenticator. When prompted, select "Login with Microsoft" and sign in using the Microsoft account registered with Essential Energy.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Review the support material and instruction videos on the easyeai via the Essential Connections support page.
3. Attend an introductory training session (optional but encouraged).

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Effective 13 August 2026, Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) will no longer be required to complete Submission Items 1 to 3 when submitting Design Submission cases. These items will automatically display a section status of Not Required, reducing the information required at the design submission stage.

The affected submission items are:

Note: Item 4 - ‘Pioneer Scheme’ must continue to be completed before submission.

All supporting documents previously uploaded against Submission Items 1 to 4 should still be uploaded to the relevant folder to maintain an orderly file structure.

This change follows the recent introduction of the Design Certification Audit Tool, which supports a more consistent, transparent and efficient approach to reviewing design submissions as part of the certification process. The tool provides customers and reviewers with a structured and repeatable method for assessing design compliance.

The Design Certification Audit Tool is available on the Essential Connections Support Page, search for “Audit” or use the link provided.

What do you need to do?

Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

On 23 June 2026 we shared the annual regulatory price change for Ancillary Network Services from 1 July 2026 and supporting Change Overview document. We received feedback that Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) would like more information, the document has been updated and is available on Essential Energy’s Essential Engagement.

The following have been updated:

• Planning, protection and power quality studies – Level 1 and Level 3 ASPs
• Design consultation– earthing studies – Level 3 ASPs
• Easement processing – design review – Solicitors and Surveyors

Please review the updated 2026-27 Ancillary Network Services ASP Change Overview document available on Essential Energy’s Essential Engagement.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services - 1 July 2026 available on the Essential Energy website.
2. Accredited Service Providers and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) system from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator.

If you have login or authentication issues with Essential Connections or Youreka, open the application in a separate private or incognito browser window. This helps avoid browser session conflicts, which are the most common cause of these issues.

Example below on how to open a private/incognito in browser:

What do you need to do?

1. Open the portal using an InPrivate or Incognito browser window.
2. Access the portal using the direct link rather than a saved bookmark.
3. If prompted to select an account, choose Use another account and sign in with the email address registered for Essential Energy access.
4. If multiple Microsoft accounts are signed in, sign out of all accounts and try again, or use a different browser.
5. If you're connected to a VPN, disconnect it and then retry accessing the portal.
6. For further information refer to the frequently asked questions available on the Essential Connections Support Page.
7. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

From 3 August 2026, Adele Finch will be leading our Accredited Service Provider team as the ASP Connections Manager and will be your point of contact. Adele can be contacted via email adele.finch@essentialenergy.com.au.

What do you need to do?

Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) system from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator. You can now log in to Essential Connections and Youreka.

Accredited Service Providers or Electrical Contractors will have received an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au inviting you to set up your account, please follow the instructions. If you have not received an email inviting you to set up and are an Accredited Service Provider or Electrical Contractor and require access, please contact techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

This change impacts how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Energy systems, including Essential Connections and Youreka.

What do you need to do?

1. Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device (if not already installed) and follow the setup instructions provided in the email sent from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au – or click here for instructions on the Essential Connections Support Page.
2. To prevent login conflicts and session errors when using two-factor authentication across multiple systems, always open Essential Connections and Youreka in separate, isolated browsing sessions like private or incognito windows.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

As communicated on 16 July 2026 Essential Energy is updating its two-factor authentication (2FA) system, transitioning from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator.

To enable this change, Essential Connections will be unavailable from 5.00pm Thursday 30 July 2026, through to Monday 3 August 2026. A follow up communication will be issued once the change has been successfully implemented and Essential Connections is available again.

Accredited Service Providers and/or Electrical Contractors will have received an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au inviting you to set up your account, please follow the instructions. If you have not received an email inviting you to set up and are an Accredited Service Provider and/or Electrical Contractor and require access please contact techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

This change will impact how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Connections and Youreka.

What do you need to do?

1. Do not try to sign into Essential Connections and Youreka during period the systems are unavailable.
2. Look out for the communication advising the systems are available again.
3. Be ready to use Microsoft Authenticator when you next sign-in.
4. The instructions are available on the Essential Connections Support Page.
5. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) form CEOF1070.02 Review of Environmental Factors Worksheet, which is available in the Document Library. From 3 August 2026 all designs submission (including re-submissions) by Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) must include the updated EIA form.

The key change to CEOF1070.02 Review of Environmental Factors Worksheet is the replacement of Table 4 and the scoring system with an escalating level approach linked to the potential environmental impact. This change will drive consistency and reduce confusion around the scoring system.

The process now involves selecting a level that corresponds to a pre-determined assessment. For each environmental aspect, the ‘Select Level’ field must be completed. The third column from the left indicates the level, while the fourth column outlines the corresponding criteria.

In the example below, the level selected should align with the description in the criteria column. Level 3 is reserved for situations where the criteria for Level 1 or Level 2 cannot be met and will generally require additional information to be provided.

The final column, located beside the level selection field, allows you to enter any specific mitigation measures or controls required to manage the impacts associated with that environmental aspect.

• Step 1 - Compare the potential impacts of your activity against the level criteria to determine the most appropriate classification.
• Step 2 - Using the ‘Select Level’ function, choose the level that best corresponds to your potential impacts (for example, Level 2).
• Step 3 - Enter any site-specific mitigation measures or control measures in the final column.

The updated form is an interim step that aligns with the new escalating level approach which will be available in a digital solution to be rolled out to ASPs later this year.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Review updated Environmental Impact Assessment forms on the Document Library.
3. From 3 August 2026 all design submissions (including re-submission) must include the updated EIA form.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy is updating its two-factor authentication (2FA) system, transitioning from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator. This change will impact how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Energy systems, including Essential Connections, Neara and Youreka.

To enable this change, Essential Connections will be unavailable from 5.00pm Thursday 30 July 2026, through to Monday 3 August 2026. A follow up communication will be issued once the change has been successfully implemented and Essential Connections is available again.

What to expect?

You will receive an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au for pre-enrolment to Microsoft Authenticator. Please follow the instructions provided in the email.

Note: Please continue using OKTA to access Essential Connections until 5.00pm Thursday 30 July 2026.

To complete this process, you will require a mobile device and a second device (i.e.; computer, laptop, tablet or iPad) with a stable internet connection to action this change.

What do you need to do?

1. Once you have received your email, download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device (if not already installed). Then follow the setup instructions provided on the Essential Connections Support Page to complete the setup process.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy is committed to the safety of everyone who works on or near our network. This includes investigating any instances of unsafe work or activities where required.

In line with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) approved Ancillary Network Services (ANS) fees and CEOP2015 Contestable Works Guidelines, Essential Energy will commence charging Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) for certain investigation activities.

Where an investigation is expected to incur a fee, Essential Energy will notify the ASP in advance before any charges are applied.

What does this mean for you?

• Fees will only apply to investigations where costs are recoverable under the ANS fee schedule.
• You will be advised prior to any charges being incurred.
• Investigations will continue to be conducted in a fair and transparent manner

The majority of ASPs who work on or near our network are committed to safe work practices and are unlikely to be impacted by the introduction of these cost recoverable charges.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Ensure your teams continue to follow safe work practices.
3. Familiarise yourself with the Ancillary Network Services fees schedule and CEOP2015 Contestable Works Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works).

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.