Energy outages

Preparing in advance helps you stay safe and independent during the first 72 hours of an energy outage.

Be safe

• Know how to manually open electric gates, garage doors and medical equipment.
• Test smoke alarms and make sure they have battery back-ups.
• Store fuel for generators or BBQs safely and in line with safety advice.
• Don’t rely on electricity or gas as part of your bushfire preparedness plan.
• If your bushfire plan depends on power for things like pumping water, make sure you have a backup – such as a diesel pump.

Be resilient

• Develop an emergency plan.
• Put together your emergency kit.
• Plan for medical needs - have a back-up plan if you rely on electricity for medical devices, refrigeration of medicines, or essential communications.
• Remember that electricity outages can also affect phones, radios and water pumps. So, plan for alternatives that don't rely on electricity supply.
• Consider alternative cooking and heating methods that don’t rely on electricity or gas.
• If notified of a planned power outage, prepare by organising:
• a charged mobile phone or landline that doesn't rely on electricity
• alternative lighting, such as a torch or a battery-operated light
• safe alternative cooking and heating
• access to fresh drinking water.
• Before the scheduled time of the planned outage, turn off appliances.

Be informed

• Know who your energy distributor is. You can find this on your bill or call 136 186.
• Sign up for outage alerts from your energy distributor.
• Electricity distributors will notify you in advance of any planned works and outages.
• Visit Energy Safe Victoria for safety tips and resources.
• 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.

Your safety and wellbeing is the top priority. Outages can last hours or in rare cases days or weeks.

Be safe

The most important thing to do in a power outage is to stay safe. Visit Staying Safe in a Power Outage for tips to stay safe.

Fallen powerlines

Following an emergency, powerlines may still be live and can be fatal.

Please follow these precautions:

• Stay 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.

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. Only licensed electricians can carry out this work.
• Download Energy Safe Victoria's using a generator safely information sheet.

Be informed

• If your power goes out, your energy distributor will arrange for it to be restored. Find your energy distributor online or call 136 186.
• Visit your distributor’s website or outage map for the latest information.
• Contact your distributor for updates on estimated restoration times.
• Report safety issues to your energy distributor. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you can contact Energy Safe Victoria at 9203 9700.
• Know where to find warnings and updates – resources and services.

It is the responsibility of your energy distributor that owns and maintains the infrastructure, poles and wires to restore electricity of gas.

Be safe

Floods and storms

Floodwater damage to your home's electrical wiring, gas installations or appliances can threaten safety.

• 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 should check gas appliances.
• Water affected gas appliances should not be used until inspected by a licensed gasfitter.
• Never attempt your own repairs. Only licensed professionals can legally and safely carry out this work.

For more information, visit energy safety during floods.

Be resilient

• Check food in fridges and freezers for signs of spoilage.
• Restock your emergency kit and revise your emergency plan based on what worked and what didn’t.
• Check appliances for any damage from a power surge.
• Record and photograph any damage for potential insurance claims.

Be informed

Your electricity or gas distributor is responsible for restoring supply.

Under the Electricity Industry Act 2000, the Secretary of DEECA, or their delegate, has the authority to direct electricity distribution businesses to provide customer information or support during and after a prolonged power outage. This is to ensure that customers affected by prolonged power outages receive timely and accurate information. The information pertains to restoration activities and the status of the outage.

This register lists any directions that have been given, when they were given and to whom.

The end date is the default listed – unless otherwise revoked or extended.