When it
happens to you know what to do.

Every person using medical equipment at home needs to be ready for a power outage.

About

If you’re using medical equipment at home, a power outage can be life-threatening. With more frequent extreme weather, outages may last longer.

Only 7% of people with medical equipment have backup power, and many mistakenly think they will have their power restored quickly. Even if you’re registered as a Life Support Customer with your power company, you still need a Power Outage Plan.

Having a Plan ensures you’re prepared if the power goes out, while your energy provider works to restore it. Always call 000 in an emergency.

We’re asking you to:

Check

Plan

Do

Check

the ‘Power Outage Checklist’– it’s the first step to completing your Plan.

Plan

ahead with your support people by completing your ‘Power Outage Plan’ and share it with those who you’ll rely on for support in your community.

Do

So when the power goes out, you’ll all know what to do.

1 Findings from the Australian Energy Foundation Report ‘Better outcomes for energy consumers using life support equipment at home’. This was funded by Energy Consumers Australia in 2022 and outlines key findings from over 4,000 Life Support Customers surveyed.

Watch the explainer video

My Power Outage Checklist

Start your thinking here

This checklist is the first step in planning for a power outage. You don’t need to write anything down; it’s just a list to help you think about what to do. It will guide you in creating a more detailed Power Outage Plan later. Remember, always consult your doctor or a healthcare professional with any health-related questions.

The Checklist covers six key areas to think about:

Illustration of people

1.

Support people

Talk with people who can help.

2.

Safety essentials

Have everything you need to keep you safe and well?

Illustration of battery operated radio

3.

Communication

Have you considered how you’ll communicate and receive information?

Illustration of torch

4.

Light

Have you thought about how you’ll see in the dark?

Illustration of jacket

5.

Comfort

How will you stay comfortable?

6.

Surroundings

How will you keep your surroundings safe? (Your home, property, roads.)

My Power Outage Plan

Everyone wants you to know what to do in a power outage.

Power outage plan illustration

Download ‘My Power Outage Plan’ and get started completing it with your support people.

Because having the right conversations today, could save your life tomorrow.

Power outage plan illustration
Check if you’re entitled to energy concessions, or other payments The Australian Government and many state governments offer support for people with medical equipment or special health needs. To find out more visit www.energy.gov.au/rebates

Stories

What others are saying

Hear stories from people with lived experience and their care teams, who are working together to create tailored Power Outage Plans.

Living with muscular dystrophy, I am so reliant on power to keep me safe.

I use a power wheelchair and electronic bed, hoist, front door and a BiPAP machine to help me breathe. Knowing what to do in a power outage could save my life. I’ll be working on My Power Outage Plan with my support people right away.”

Carolyn

I live with cerebral palsy and some years ago, I experienced five days without power.

 While I was in immense pain without power to my medical equipment, I realised that others would be relying on it for every breath. This experience taught me the importance of having a medically informed Power Outage Plan. Being prepared, and knowing what to do, could literally save your life.”

Adam

I care for my wife whose health makes her very reliant on power to stay safe and well.

I can’t stress how important it is to know what to do and to share information with others around you about what you’ll need in a power outage. Having a plan allows you to capture it all in one place and have the right conversations with people.” 

Peter

Living with my kidney disease is tough, and dialysis at home is a reality for many.

Knowing what to do in a power outage and having a plan is critical. You need to have an emergency kit ready that’s specific to your needs. My Power Outage Plan helps you to be prepared and think of what you’ll need to stay safe ahead of time. That can help you remain calm when the power goes out; because you’ll know what to do.” 

Irene

From my lived experience, I understand the importance of receiving education and CPR training on all life support equipment before being discharged home in case of an emergency.

A well-practised safety plan shared with caregivers, support people and community service providers is vital when there is an unplanned power outage. Training on using backup equipment such as a generator is essential, so people know exactly what to do and feel prepared and empowered when required to act swiftly.”

Jodi (Mum of Cosette)

More information

Where to go for more information

For more information during power outages, contact your local energy supplier or network.

Queensland

South-East Queensland residents contact Energex

All other Queensland residents contact Ergon Energy

New South Wales

Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter region residents contact Ausgrid 

Sydney’s Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra and South Coast residents contact Endeavour Energy

All other NSW residents contact Essential Energy

Victoria

Melbourne city and inner-suburb residents contact CitiPower

Northern and north-western suburb residents contact Jemena

Southern suburb and Mornington Peninsula residents contact United Energy Distribution 

Western suburb and western Victoria residents contact Powercor Australia

Outer-northern and eastern suburb and eastern Victoria residents contact AusNet Services 

South Australia

For most residents in South Australia, contact SA Power Networks 24/7 

For people in very remote communities, power may be supplied via your local council or similar agency; check your electricity bill or with someone in your local community if you are not sure.

Tasmania

For all residents of Tasmania, contact TasNetworks 

Western Australia

Horizon Power customers contact 

Western Power customers contact

Northern Territory

For all residents of the Northern Territory, contact Power and Water Corporation

Tune your radio to find out more

1. Search

Visit reception.abc.net.au to find your local radio frequency.

2. Write it down

Write it down, e.g. ABC Pilbara 603 AM — and stick it to the battery-powered radio in your emergency survival kit.

3. Tune to your car

You can also tune the frequency to one of your car radio preset stations. 

Visit 'how to listen to abc radio in an emergency' for instructions.  

Share

Join the conversation!

Help others to be prepared in an unplanned power outage.

Share on social media using these hashtags
#PowerOutagePlan #CheckPlanDo
#KnowWhatToDo

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This initiative is supported by the Energy Charter and was co-developed in consultation with: the Life Support in the Home Lived Experience Panel; our Community Outcomes Group (made up of health and customer representatives); and energy businesses through the #BetterTogether Life Support Customer initiative. See the list of organisations involved here.

The Energy Charter brings community and consumer representatives together with energy businesses to help put people at the centre of the energy system.

Thank you to the Community Outcomes Group including: Consumers Health Forum of Australia; Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland; Justice and Equity Centre; Life Support Medical Advisory Group (represented by the Australian Medical Association); and WA Dept of Energy, Department of Energy, Environment.

Thank you also to the Energy Industry Collaborators, led by Essential Energy and SA Power Networks in collaboration with ActewAGL, Australian Gas and Infrastructure Group, AusNet Services, Aurora Energy, Endeavour Energy, Energy Queensland (including Energex, Ergon Energy Network, Ergon Energy Retail + Yurika) and TasNetworks.