Victoria has a reliable power supply but outages can happen. The Andrews Labor Government today launched a regional campaign to encourage Victorians to be prepared and stay safe.
Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said outages are more likely over summer with extreme weather.
Victorians who have medical conditions or other special needs that require an uninterrupted supply of power should advise their electricity retailer and have a plan in place in case of prolonged outages.
Your electricity distribution company provides important updates about power outages. Visit their website, call the faults and emergencies number on your electricity bill, or sign up for SMS notifications.
To be prepared, you should put together a power outage kit, including:
- a torch or battery-operated light
- a phone that doesn’t rely on electricity (such as a fully-charged mobile phone)
- a battery powered radio for news and updates
- fresh water (if you rely on an electric pump for water)
- the faults and emergencies contact number from your latest electricity bill
If your power goes out, be energy safe and:
- keep clear of fallen powerlines and report them to your local energy distributor
- be careful if using candles and other open flames for lighting
- turn off appliances as the power may be restored when you are not there
- if your neighbours have power, see if your safety switch has been tripped
- do not try to connect temporary generators to household wiring
The campaign will run throughout January and February and will feature across regional radio and print media. More information is available at
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio
“Victoria has the most reliable power supply in Australia, but power outages can happen.”
“Losing power can be especially dangerous during heatwaves, bushfires and grassfires.”
“Don’t get left in the dark. Be prepared and put together a power outage kit, because your safety matters.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020