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Prepare for an electrical outage

Power outages can happen at any time, from high demand on the network, to storms and bushfires.
Make sure you’re ready if the unexpected happens.

How do I prepare?

We've made a few videos and a fact sheet to help you get up to speed on the things you need to know. 

Power contingency

Bushfire plans

Garage door

Preparing for an outage as a life-support customer

If you rely on continuous power supply for life support equipment, the information provided in this section is designed to help you.

Life support equipment is equipment that is powered by electricity or gas, that your medical practitioner certifies is required for you. The most common types of life support equipment are:

  • oxygen concentrator
  • intermittent peritoneal dialysis machine
  • kidney dialysis machine
  • ventilator for life support.

More information can be found in Schedule 10 of the Energy retail code at the Essential Services Commission.

Preparing for an outage as a residential customer

Make sure you have a plan ready to go if the power goes out. The tips below will help reduce the impacts on you and your family and keep you safe.

Once you have ensured your own safety, look after those around you who may be vulnerable.

Before an outage

During an outage

After an outage

Preparing for an outage as a business customer

There’s never a convenient time to experience a power outage. To reduce the impact on your operations, here are some tips to keep your business running safely.

Preparing for an outage in extreme weather

We’re working hard to make the electricity network safe and reliable. Extreme heat, storm events and high demand all put the network under greater pressure. Outages will happen, so it is important we’re all power prepared. A little bit of planning goes a long way.

Check out our simple tips below to stay safe and prepare for outages in extreme weather.

Storm tips

If you live in an area prone to storms, we recommend having a plan to help you minimise risk and take action in the event of storm damage or a power outage.
Some factors to consider before, during and after a storm are provided below.

Bushfire tips

During a bushfire, you may experience interruptions to your electricity and/or gas supply, even if your property isn’t directly affected. For example the Country Fire Authority (CFA) or Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) may disconnect your electricity and/or gas to fight a bushfire, or to prevent other fires from starting. 

Reconnection of electricity in a bushfire event may take several hours or even days, depending on the time it takes to access the area, conduct repairs and ensure safety. This means that your bushfire plans should factor in a possible loss of gas and electricity.