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February 2024 storm-related power outages
On Tuesday 13 February and Thursday 22 February, extreme weather resulted in power outages across Victoria.
Network outage review
A network outage review has been commissioned into the system response to the 13 February 2024 storms, led by a panel of independent experts.
The expert panel will be chaired by Rosemary Sinclair, the former CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, and will include Gerard Brody, the former chief executive of the Consumer Action Law Centre, and Kevin Kehl, a former electrical engineer and executive leader at Powerlink Queensland and Energex.
The Review will seek input from the Australian Energy Market Operator, Australian Energy Regulator, Energy Safe Victoria, the Essential Services Commission, and other regulators.
The expert panel will deliver an interim report to the Minister in June and a final report in August 2024. For more information, please see the Terms of Reference.
Community and stakeholder reviews
Community and stakeholders will have opportunities to participate through Public Panel meetings or written submissions to the review.
The Network Outage Review Panel will be undertaking its first consultation with communities and businesses on Saturday 23 March and Sunday 24 March at Mirboo North.
Details are:
- Baromi Centre
- 38 Couper Street, Mirboo North
- Saturday, 23 March and Sunday, 24 March
- Drop in between: 10am to 3pm
Panel presentation regarding the Network Outage Review to take place at 11am and 1pm each day.
Refreshments will be provided.
Details of future consultations will be confirmed soon.
Prolonged Power Outage Payment
The State and Federal Governments are providing financial relief to households and businesses that were without power for 7 days cumulatively as a result of the extreme weather events on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 22 February.
AusNet Services and Powercor Australia are supporting the delivery of this relief payment to customers in its electricity distribution network.
Subject to the below eligibility criteria, the Prolonged Power Outage Payment will give:
- $1,920 per week for households for up to 3 weeks, depending on the length of time the household was without power.
- $2,927 per week for small businesses for up to 3 weeks, depending on the length of time the business was without power.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Prolonged Power Outage Payment, residential customers must:
- have a residential electricity account that is registered against a national meter identification number (NMI) for the AusNet or Powercor Australia electricity distribution networks (electricity account holder)
- be an electricity account holder of a property that was without power for 7 days cumulatively, within a two week (14 day) period, from Tuesday 13 to Tuesday 27 February 2024 as a result of severe weather events on Tuesday 13 February and Thursday 22 February
- have not applied for, or received a Prolonged Power Outage Payment, for an electricity account that is registered against the same NMI in relation to the same period
- made an application to AusNet or Powercor Australia in the specified form, by no later than 11.59pm on 10 April 2024.
For detailed information and guidance on applying for the Prolonged Power Outage Payment, please refer to the guidelines for residential customers.
Businesses may be eligible if they:
- have a business electricity account that is registered against a national meter identification number (NMI) for the AusNet or Powercor Australia electricity distribution networks (Electricity Account Holder)
- have the Electricity Account Holder in the name of the business' legal name or trading name
- operate from a location that was without power for 7 days cumulatively, as a result of severe weather events on Tuesday 13 February 2024 and Thursday 22 February within a 2-week (14 day) period), from 13 February 2024
- have an annual Victorian payroll of $10 million or less in 2022/2023 on an ungrouped basis*
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at 12.01am Tuesday 13 February 2024
- are registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator
- have not applied for, or received, a Prolonged Power Outage Payment for an electricity account that is registered against the same NMI in relation to the same period.
*Where a business is in a payroll group, the payroll eligibility criteria apply to each business in the payroll group. That is, any member of a group with an annual Victorian taxable payroll of up to $10 million in 2022-2023 can apply.
For detailed information and guidance on applying for the Prolonged Power Outage Payment, please refer to the guidelines for businesses.
Applying for the payment
To apply for the payment, complete the prolonged power outage form.
You can also call AusNet’s dedicated storm relief hotline on 1300 561 171 (open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm). AusNet’s community engagement team will be available at some local council relief centres to support you. For more information about relief locations, visit VicEmergency.
Powercor customers can visit www.powercor.com.au or call 13 22 06.
You will need your National Metering Identifier (NMI) and details of your bank account to receive payment. Once eligibility is confirmed, it will take up to 8 business days for payment to be made.
The Prolonged Power Outage Payment application will be open until 11:59pm on 10 April 2024.
Avoiding scam SMS and email communications
We're aware of scam text messages being sent to customers about the power outage payment. AusNet’s SMS and links will clearly identify AusNet so you can be sure it is legitimate. Never click on any links in text messages if you're unsure who the sender is.
Please visit AusNet’s website for more information about these payments.
Other customer support
For further information on additional recovery supports, please go to https://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief
What causes power outages?
Localised power outages can occur for many reasons, including:
- severe weather such as lightning, floods, heatwaves or high winds
- trees interfering with powerlines
- bushfires
- unexpected technical faults
- car accidents
- planned essential maintenance works
- (rarely) to help balance supply and demand during the peak period.
During extreme weather conditions and on Total Fire Ban days, the risk of localised power outages increases.
To report an outage, contact your electricity distributor or call the faults and emergencies number on your most recent power bill.
Restoring power after an emergency
This is the responsibility of your local electricity distributor that owns and maintains the poles and wires bringing power to your home.
- You must use a licensed tradesperson for gas or electric work following the effects of a flood or fire.
- Following storm or fire damage, you should have a licensed electrician check wiring and repair any electrical damage before you reconnect power or switch on appliances. A licensed gasfitter will check gas appliances.
- You must use a licensed tradesperson for gas or electric work following the effects of a flood or fire.
For more information, visit energy safety during floods
Using generators
- Get help from a licensed electrician to connect a generator.
- You must not connect generators to the wiring of your home or perform any other electrical work. It is both illegal and dangerous. Licensed electricians can only carry out this work.
- Download the Energy Safe Victoria using a generator safely information
Floods and storms
Floodwater damage to your home's electrical circuitry, gas installations or appliances can threaten safety.
- Your energy distributor can advise you on how to get back up and running.
- You should call a licensed electrician to inspect your home or building after flood damage.
- Water affected gas appliances should not be used until inspected by a licensed gasfitter.
Fallen powerlines
Following an emergency, powerlines may still be live and can be fatal. Please follow these precautions.
- Stay well clear of fallen powerlines or anything they may be touching.
- Call your local electricity distributor – or the faults and emergencies number on your most recent electricity bill.
- Do not attempt to remove or prune trees that have fallen on powerlines.
Preventing power outages
Trees interfering with powerlines are a cause of many easily preventable power outages.
You can help to reduce this risk by regularly checking the size and health of trees growing close to powerlines and contacting your local council or electricity distributor for advice.
For more information, visit managing trees near powerlines on Energy Safe Victoria.
Planned outages – be prepared
Before doing any essential maintenance, your electricity distributor will notify you in advance of any planned works and outages.
If notified of a planned power outage, prepare by organising:
- access to a charged mobile phone or landline that doesn't rely on electricity to operate
- alternative lighting, such as a torch or a battery-operated light
- alternative cooking facilities and heating
- access to fresh water.
Before the scheduled time of the power outage, make sure appliances are turned off.
Unexpected power outages
Be prepared and have a plan to manage blackouts. You may need back-up power if you rely heavily on electricity. Don't rely on power as part of any bushfire preparedness plan.
Remember power outages can also affect phones, radios and water pumps. So, arrange for alternatives that don't rely on electricity supply.
If your power goes out, your energy distributor will arrange for it to be restored.
Find your energy distributor online or call 136 186.
Reporting a safety issue
Report safety issues to your energy distributor. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you can contact Energy Safe Victoria at 9203 9700.
Page last updated: 15/03/24