Underground Service Locating Sydney
Smartscan Locators helps Sydney projects prevent costly underground utility strikes by locating and mapping buried services using GPR, EMI, and NDD methods. Certified to BYDA and AS5488 standards, we provide fast, accurate, and safe results.
Why is underground utility locating essential before any excavation in Sydney?
Before any excavation, trenching, or drilling project in Sydney, it’s critical to understand what lies beneath. Striking gas lines, electrical cables, water mains, or fibre conduits can cause serious injuries, major service outages, legal liabilities, and project delays. Utility locating is more than best practice; it’s often required to meet compliance with WHS regulations and local council approvals.
Smartscan Locators provides AS5488-classified utility detection across Greater Sydney and beyond. Using advanced technologies like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), electromagnetic induction (EMI), and non-destructive vacuum excavation (NDD), we accurately identify both public and private services, metallic and non-metallic. From residential landscaping to large-scale infrastructure works, certified service locating is essential to reduce risk and inform safe, compliant designs.
For asset protection and duty of care compliance, utility locating is the first step in responsible site work.
How does underground service locating work—and which technology suits your site?
Locating underground services requires a strategic combination of detection methods, each tailored to different utility types and soil conditions. Electromagnetic locating (EMI) is ideal for tracing conductive assets like power cables, copper comms lines, and tracer-wired pipes. It provides depth estimation and active/passive detection.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) uses radar pulses to detect non-metallic services such as PVC, asbestos cement, and structural concrete elements. It’s highly effective for identifying voids, conduits, and rebar beneath slabs or in unknown ground conditions.
For confirmation or visual verification, non-destructive excavation (NDD) using vac trucks safely exposes assets without damaging them, essential for achieving AS5488 Quality Level A.
Smartscan Locators applies all three technologies in combination, adapting to your project’s scope, soil, and safety requirements. Our certified technicians select the most efficient and compliant approach to minimise disruption and ensure utility accuracy across any terrain or site constraint in Sydney.
What underground utilities can be detected and mapped with certified locating methods?
Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Mains
Smartscan Locators accurately identify potable water mains, house service lines, sewer junctions, and stormwater pipes using a combination of EMI and GPR. This includes mapping of critical connection points like inspection openings (IOs), junction pits, and curb inlets. We help prevent accidental pipe bursts, contamination, and localised flooding—common issues during trenching, driveway works, or utility upgrades. Our locating services ensure that excavation near these underground assets meets local water authority and council guidelines.
Gas Lines (Metallic and Non-Metallic)
We trace natural gas distribution mains and low-pressure service lines, including polyethylene (PE) and metallic infrastructure. Since gas pipes may lack tracer wires, Smartscan uses GPR where EMI is limited—particularly effective in residential areas with newer plastic gas mains. Preventing accidental gas strikes is critical to site safety, and our services ensure compliance with Jemena, APA Group, and other gas providers across Sydney and NSW. All gas assets are marked with correct offsets and depths per AS5488 requirements.
Electrical Networks (LV/HV Cables)
Our technicians locate low-voltage residential power feeds, high-voltage transmission cables, street lighting circuits, and earthing systems with precision. Using active signal induction and depth estimation, we provide accurate mark-outs for both public and private networks. This is essential for maintaining safe clearance zones, especially around power poles, distribution boxes, or substations. Smartscan’s locating is compatible with Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy standards, reducing the risk of outages or electrical hazards during construction or earthworks.
Communication Infrastructure (NBN, Fibre, Telstra, Optus)
We detect and trace underground telecommunications infrastructure—whether copper pairs, fibre optic cables, or legacy coax systems. Our team holds Telstra Plant Locator accreditation, enabling safe identification of comms assets that are often shallow and unprotected. In fast-paced projects like fibre rollouts, data centre construction, or smart city upgrades, accurate comms locating is crucial to prevent downtime, customer service disruptions, and costly network repairs. Assets are classified and documented to SUI standard, with CAD-ready output available.
Non-Metallic & Private Services (PVC, PE, Abandoned Lines)
Where electromagnetic locating is ineffective, we rely on high-frequency GPR to detect non-metallic infrastructure—like irrigation lines, pool plumbing, fire services, and older unrecorded sewer connections. We also identify redundant or abandoned lines, which may still pose excavation hazards. This is especially useful on older residential sites, heritage lots, and redevelopment zones where legacy assets weren’t recorded. Our team specialises in tracing these hidden risks, offering private property owners the same level of service as civil contractors.
What makes a utility locating provider qualified to deliver safe and compliant results?
Compliance with AS5488 and BYDA isn’t optional. It’s your assurance of detection accuracy, safety, and legal protection. Here’s how Smartscan Locators meets the highest industry standards.
AS5488 SUI Classification (D to A Levels)
We provide Subsurface Utility Information with classified confidence levels—helping engineers and designers understand asset reliability and residual risks.
National Accreditations (BYDA, NULCA, CERTLOC)
Our team holds current certifications across all utility locating requirements, including compliance with Telstra, Optus, and Ausgrid networks.
Multi-Technology Capability (GPR, EMI, NDD, CCTV)
From slab scanning to vacuum excavation, we bring the full spectrum of utility detection methods to your site—with certified operators for every tool.
What’s included when you book certified underground locating in Sydney?
On-site markings (paint, flags, site photos)
CAD-ready mapping deliverables (2D/3D)
Depth estimates and method report
SUI classification to AS5488
Optional NDD exposures with verification photos
Areas We Serve
Need Underground Service Locating in Sydney? We travel to wherever safe excavation is needed.
Sydney Metro & Greater Western Sydney
Serving Sydney Metro and Western Sydney with professional upholstery cleaning.
Liverpool, Kings Langley, Campbelltown
Serving Liverpool to Penrith with expert, and a reliable upholstery cleaning services.
Bankstown, Castle Hill, Camden
Providing expert upholstery cleaning in Bankstown, Castle Hill, Camden, and surrounding Sydney suburbs.
Common questions Sydney contractors and homeowners ask about underground locating
Do I need service locating even for small digs or landscaping?
Yes. Even shallow digs can strike gas, power, or comms lines. Councils and duty-of-care standards often require proof of locating for any excavation deeper than 300mm.
What’s the difference between BYDA plans and private locating?
BYDA provides asset owner records—often incomplete or outdated. Smartscan Locators performs on-site detection, tracing actual utility positions to verify or correct those records.
Can GPR find PVC or old non-metallic pipes?
Yes. GPR detects non-metallic lines like PVC, concrete, or AC—especially when EMI methods can’t. We adjust antenna frequency to optimise for soil moisture and target depth.
How much does certified underground locating cost in Sydney?
Rates typically range from $140–$200/hr depending on site complexity, access, and technologies required. Day rates and multi-method quotes available on request.
Can you expose or verify critical utilities using vacuum excavation?
Absolutely. Our NDD trucks provide damage-free exposure of buried assets, confirming location, depth, and alignment. Verification photos can be included in final reports.
Book Your Underground Service Locating Sydney
Get the job done right, without damaging underground assets. Smartscan Locators is here to support your Underground Service Locating Sydney with the tools, certifications, and knowledge to dig safely.
