VicGrid’s new responsibilities for transmission planning and connections

Victoria’s energy system is undergoing a major transformation and the way we plan and deliver the transmission network is changing with it.

VicGrid is leading this work. On 1 November 2025, responsibility for planning Victoria’s declared shared network and managing all transmission connections transferred from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to VicGrid.

This provides industry with a single, accountable body for network planning, approvals and future development.

To ensure continuity, the AEMO staff who previously managed Victorian connections have transferred to VicGrid. If you have a connection application underway, it will continue to be managed by the same team, now operating within VicGrid.

You can read more about VicGrid’s expanded responsibilities and why this change was introduced in our media release: VicGrid takes on new transmission planning role.

What has changed?

VicGrid is now responsible for planning, procuring and delivering transmission infrastructure in Victoria. This means VicGrid leads the end-to-end process for transmission development, from identifying future network needs to authorising and directing upgrades.

VicGrid’s declared network functions in Victoria include:

  • planning, procurement and delivery of transmission infrastructure and management of services provided through the declared shared network
  • managing the Victorian transmission connections process through the access and connections team
  • exercising functions under Victorian law or the National Electricity Rules, to maintain a safe, efficient and coordinated transmission system.

AEMO remains the national market operator and national system planner.

What this means for fees and charges

VicGrid’s access and connections team will manage all new Victorian transmission connection applications.

Transmission use of system charges previously paid to AEMO will now be paid to VicGrid. These charges fund prescribed transmission services and VicGrid’s declared network functions.

VicGrid operates on a full cost-recovery basis for its connections services. Fees are charged monthly on a time-and-materials basis using annual charge-out rates that reflect direct and indirect costs. Annual charge-out rates are reviewed each financial year.

The FY2027 charge out rates will be published in June 2026. Further information is available on our Fees and charges page.

Why the need for change?

To ensure transmission planning keeps pace with this transition, the Victorian Government introduced legislative reforms under the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework. These reforms:

  • put community engagement and benefits at the heart of planning
  • support timely coordination of transmission, generation and storage
  • put in place the Victorian Transmission Plan – the first long-term strategic plan for renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure in Victoria
  • provide greater certainty for investors and developers
  • minimise impacts on communities, the environment, cultural heritage and land uses, such as farming.

Any questions?

You can contact the access and connections team at vic.connections@vicgrid.com.au

For more information visit the Access and connections page.

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Page last updated: 29/01/26