Power outage

Guide to power outages in Australia

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Blackouts aren’t uncommon in Australia, particularly in times of increased demand on the electricity grid, or during adverse weather. But a power outage isn’t just an inconvenience: if you’re unprepared, a blackout can be potentially dangerous.

In this guide, Canstar Blue discusses how to handle power outages in your area, including what can cause them and what to do when they happen.

What is a power outage?

A power outage is when the supply of electricity or gas to a household or business is interrupted for a number of reasons. Power outages that impact entire neighbourhoods or cities are referred to as blackouts and can occur at any time. Depending on the severity of the power outage, loss of power can last from minutes to weeks, and will usually affect specific areas or electricity grids.

How to find power outages in your area

You can check for power outages, or the loss of gas supply, by searching on the website of your local energy distributor. Energy distributors are responsible for delivering power safely to your home or business, as well as maintaining power lines, pipes and transmission grids in your area. Your energy distributor should have a power outage map on its website where you can input your street, suburb or postcode and receive updates of reported power outages.

The example below comes from Energex, the electricity distributor for South East Queensland.

Energex Power Outage

Image source: energex.com.au

How to find current power outages in QLD

To find current power outages in QLD, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity distributors

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast
and surrounds
Energex 136 262
Country and regional Qld Ergon Energy 132 296

Gas distributors

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Location Gas Distributor Faults Contact
Number
South of the Brisbane River,
South Coast, Toowoomba & Oakey
Allgas Energy 1300 763 106
North of the Brisbane River Australian Gas Networks 1800 898 220

How to find current power outages in NSW

To find current power outages in NSW, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity distributors

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
Sydney’s Greater West, the
Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands,
Illawarra and South Coast
Endeavour Energy 131 003
Country and regional NSW and
southern regional QLD
Essential Energy 132 080
Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter Valley Ausgrid 131 388

Gas distributors

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Location Gas Distributor Faults Contact
Number
Tamworth Central Ranges System 1800 676 300
Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong
and parts of country NSW
Jemena Gas Networks NSW 131 909
Wagga Wagga Wagga Wagga Gas Distribution
Network (AGN)
1800 898 220

How to find current power outages in Vic

To find current power outages in Vic, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity distributors

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
Melbourne City and inner suburbs CitiPower 131 280
Northern and southwestern suburbs Jemena 131 626
Western suburbs, CBD and inner suburbs
of Melbourne and central
and western Victoria
Powercor Australia 132 412
East and northeast Victoria and
north and east Melbourne
Ausnet Services 131 799
East and southeast Melbourne and
the Mornington Peninsula
United Energy Distribution 132 099

Gas distributors

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Location Gas Distributor Faults Contact
Number
Nationwide Australian Gas Networks 1800 898 220
Inner, outer-eastern and southeastern
Melbourne
Multinet Gas Networks 132 691
Western Melbourne, Geelong and some
of western Victoria
AusNet Services 136 707

How to find current power outages in WA

To find current power outages in WA, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
South West Interconnected System Western Power 131 351
Rural Western Australia Horizon Power 132 351

Gas customers in Western Australia should refer to the Public Utilities Office, the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA), or Energy Ombudsman Western Australia for any energy-related queries.

How to find current power outages in SA

To find current power outages in SA, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity distributors

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
All of SA SA Power Networks 131 366

Gas distributors

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Location Gas Distributor Faults Contact
Number
All of SA Australian Gas Networks SA 1800 898 220

How to find current power outages in NT

To find current power outages in NT, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity distributors

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
All of NT Power and Water Corporation 1800 245 090

Gas distributors

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Location Gas Distributor Faults Contact
Number
Contact energy provider for
availability
Power and Water

Corporation

Australian Gas Networks

1800 870 466

1800 427 532

How to find current power outages in the ACT

To find current power outages in the ACT, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity distributors

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
Most of the ACT EvoEnergy 131 093
A small portion of the ACT
and Queanbeyan area
Essential Energy 132 080

Gas distributors

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Location Gas Distributor Faults Contact
Number
All of the ACT EvoEnergy 131 909

How to find current power outages in Tas

To find current power outages in Tas, visit your provider’s website listed below, or call their faults contact number.

Electricity distributors

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Location Electricity Distributor Faults Contact
Number
All of Tasmania TasNetworks 132 004

Gas distributors

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Location Gas Distributor Faults Contact
Number
All of Tasmania Tas Gas Networks 1802 111

What causes power outages?

Power outages can be caused by:

  • Weather: heavy rainfall, heatwaves, high winds and lightning strikes.
  • Vehicles: motor accidents damaging power lines.
  • Bushfires: electricity supply can be cut during emergencies.
  • Animals: wildlife can interfere with energy infrastructure.
  • Maintenance: sudden drops in electricity supply can short or trip circuits.
  • Trees: blackouts can also occur when overhanging branches or trees come into contact with power lines.

How to prepare for a power outage

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned that the risks for Australia’s energy reliability are increasing and facing challenges. With delays in project developments and closure of coal generators, the following years could be impacted by increased blackouts. With this in mind, here are some essentials you should keep handy when preparing for a blackout:

  • Cash
  • Candles
  • Blankets
  • Batteries
  • First aid kit
  • LED Torch
  • Fire blanket
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches or a lighter
  • Generator (if possible)
  • Battery-operated radio
  • List of important contacts
  • Portable phone charger and cords
  • Bottled water and non-perishable foods.

If the power goes out, or you suspect it will (e.g. there’s a severe weather warning), turn off all appliances at the wall. You should also leave a light switch on so you’ll know when power has been restored.


Read more: What to do in a power outage


Compare energy plans

If you want to switch energy providers or compare current plans, check out the Canstar Blue comparison tool below.

Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

How long do power outages last?

Power outages typically last for short periods of time. A resolution will be estimated by the energy distribution network where the power outage occurred. Time estimates will depend on whether the power outage is due to equipment faults, environmental impacts, third party contact, cable digging or weather-related damage.

Australia’s extreme weather events can impact the nation’s energy infrastructure, resulting in damaged or lost electricity grids and long-lasting power outages. It is extremely difficult to give an exact timeframe of how long a power outage will last in those instances. However, your energy distributor may use social media to keep customers informed.

What are planned power outages?

A scheduled power outage is planned maintenance of energy infrastructure, usually carried out by the energy distributor. Distribution networks, powerlines and gas pipes require constant upkeep to ensure that electricity and gas supplies run efficiently and safely to homes and businesses.

Planned power outages will normally be listed on your energy distributor’s website. 

For example, Jemena’s website in Victoria lists their upcoming planned outages:

Jemena Power Outages

Depending on your distributor, the following information should be provided:

  • Outage start date and time
  • Suburbs or postcodes impacted by power outage
  • Number of customers affected
  • Scheduled completion date and time
  • ID or job number
  • Status (i.e. scheduled, in progress or finished).

In the case of an emergency, call 000.

Original reporting by Dean Heckscher
Image Source:
Photoroyalty/Shutterstock.com

Caitlin Bingham
Content Producer
Caitlin Bingham covers a range of content at Canstar from electric vehicles to home loans and internet, offering readers comprehensive insights into consumer-related topics. Caitlin has a Bachelor of Communications with a major in Journalism from Massey University, and has written for various websites across New Zealand and Australia. When she isn’t writing, you can find Caitlin training for (yet another) marathon, or binge-watching the Real Housewives.

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