Are you planning to dig? Then you need to know about AS5488, Australia's national standard for Subsurface Utility Information (SUI). At South-East Scanning, we've seen it all: delayed projects, burst pipes, costly variations, and even legal battles—all because underground utilities weren't correctly identified or documented. That's precisely what AS5488 aims to prevent.
🚧 Why Every Project Needs a Subsurface Utility Investigation (SUI) Before Digging
🔎 So what is it?
AS5488 provides a clear framework for classifying underground utility data by reliability and accuracy. It’s about mitigating risk and improving project outcomes, with four key Quality Levels (QL):
- QL-D: Based only on existing records—often outdated or inaccurate.
- QL-C: Includes a site inspection to verify surface features (e.g. maintenance holes, pits).
- QL-B: Geophysical techniques (like GPR + EML) detect utilities below the surface, where the real value begins.
- QL-A: The highest level—utilities are physically exposed via potholing/hydro excavation for precise location and depth.
✅ When South-East Scanning conducts an SUI, we work to achieve
QL-B and QL-A data wherever possible, combining ground penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic locating, and visual verification to give engineers, designers, and project managers confidence in the data they’re building from.
⚠ Why is this so important?
- Without SUI, your team could be relying on guesswork.
- You risk striking unknown utilities, causing dangerous and costly delays.
- You risk non-compliance with engineering and safety regulations.
- You could void insurance coverage in the event of a utility strike.
🛠️ Our Projects
In one recent project near Maroochydore, our SUI detected an undocumented fibre optic line only centimetres away from the proposed trench. Without accurate QL-B locating and subsequent QL-A potholing, that single cable strike could have disrupted services for thousands of homes and caused tens of thousands in damages. Instead, the contractor adjusted their plans and proceeded safely.
Need help aligning your next project with AS5488? That’s where we come in. 💪
Our Service Area
- Gold Coast
- Brisbane
- Ipswich
- Sunshine Coast
