Navigating AusNet Power Outage Challenges: Staying Informed, Safe & Prepared
Power outages are an unfortunate reality of modern life, especially during Victoria's volatile weather. For residents and businesses relying on AusNet Services, understanding AusNet power outages – their causes, how to track them, and crucially, how to prepare – is essential.
This guide covers everything you need to know about AusNet outages, leveraging tools like the AusNet power outage map, and ensuring resilience during unexpected blackouts.
What Causes Power Outages in the AusNet Network?
AusNet power outages can stem from various sources, often interacting with Victoria's unique environment:
Severe Weather: The primary culprit. Storms (bringing high winds, lightning, and heavy rain), bushfires, heatwaves stressing equipment, and even floods can damage power lines, poles, and substations. Falling trees and branches are a major issue during storms.
Equipment Failure: Transformers, switches, cables, and other critical components can fail due to age, manufacturing defects, or extreme operational stress.
Vehicle Accidents: Collisions with power poles can cause immediate local outages and sometimes wider disruptions.
Animal Interference: Birds, possums, and snakes coming into contact with equipment can cause short circuits.
Planned Maintenance: Essential upgrades and repairs require scheduled outages, usually communicated well in advance by AusNet.
Network Overload: During extreme peak demand (e.g., heatwaves), parts of the network can become overloaded, potentially leading to controlled outages or equipment failure.
Understanding these causes helps contextualize outage information found via AusNet power outages tracking tools.
AusNet's Commitments Following the February 2024 Storms
The devastating storms of February 2024, particularly impacting eastern Victoria, caused widespread and prolonged AusNet outages, severely impacting communities. The scale and duration raised significant concerns. In response to regulatory scrutiny by the Essential Services Commission (ESC), AusNet Services entered into a significant Enforceable Undertaking. Key commitments include:
Enhanced Vegetation Management: Significantly increased investment and changes to vegetation management practices near powerlines to reduce storm-related faults.
Improved Outage Communication: Major upgrades to systems and processes for providing more accurate and timely information to customers during outages, including better estimates for power restoration.
Community Support & Resilience: Increased funding for community resilience programs and support for vulnerable customers during extended outages.
Network Hardening: Accelerated inspection and replacement programs for poles and other assets identified as vulnerable.
Independent Oversight: Regular reporting and monitoring by an independent expert appointed by the ESC to ensure commitments are met.
This undertaking represents a substantial shift in AusNet's approach to network resilience and customer communication following major events.
How to Check for Current AusNet Power Outages
Staying informed during an outage is crucial. Here are the best ways to check for current AusNet outages:
AusNet Services Official Outage Page: Visit the AusNet website and navigate to their dedicated outages section. This provides general information and updates.
Outage Tracker - The Comprehensive Solution: For the most detailed, real-time, and user-friendly view of AusNet power outages, use the independent Outage Tracker platform. This service aggregates data to provide an interactive AusNet power outage map, showing:
Precise locations of outages.
Estimated number of affected customers.
Reported causes (where available).
Estimated restoration times (as provided by AusNet).
Historical outage data for your area.
Bookmarking Outage Tracker is highly recommended for the most efficient way to monitor AusNet power outages in your vicinity. (Note: While platforms like Outage Tracker cover AusNet, checking specific distributors like Essential Energy requires visiting their sites for Essential Energy outages).
How to Stay Safe During an Outage
Safety is paramount when the power goes out:
Assume Downed Lines are LIVE: Stay at least 10 meters away and report them immediately to AusNet (13 17 99) or emergency services (000). Never touch anything in contact with a fallen line.
Use Torches, Not Candles: Reduce fire risk by using battery-powered torches or lanterns. If using candles, never leave them unattended.
Unplug Sensitive Electronics: Protect computers, TVs, and appliances from potential power surges when the electricity returns by unplugging them. Leave one light on so you know when power is restored.
Keep Fridges/Freezers Closed: Minimize opening to keep food cold for longer. A full freezer can stay frozen for 24-48 hours if unopened.
Generator Safety: If using a generator, operate it OUTDOORS and well away from windows, doors, and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Never connect it directly to your home wiring ("backfeeding") unless using a proper transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician – this is extremely dangerous to line workers.
Check on Neighbors: Especially the elderly, young children, or those with medical needs who might be more vulnerable.
Drive Carefully: Treat intersections with non-functioning traffic lights as 4-way stops.
How to Prepare for Future Outages
Proactive preparation significantly reduces the impact of AusNet power outages:
Build an Emergency Kit
Water (at least 3 litres per person per day for several days)
Non-perishable food (canned goods, energy bars, dried fruit)
Manual can opener
First-aid kit and essential medications (including prescription copies)
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio + NOAA weather radio
Multiple torches and extra batteries
Mobile phone power bank (fully charged)
Cash (ATMs and EFTPOS may not work)
Important documents (copies in waterproof bag)
Blankets or warm clothing
Invest in Backup Power
Generators: While petrol/diesel generators are powerful options for long outages or high-power needs, they come with some significant considerations. These generators require safe operation, fuel storage, and maintenance, which can be less convenient than the more flexible, clean, and quiet portable power stations.
Portable Power Stations: These are versatile, quiet, and safe (no fumes) alternatives to generators. They can power essential devices like phones, laptops, medical equipment (CPAP), lights, and small appliances. Consider capacity based on your needs.
For a home backup solution that handles everything from lighting to kitchen appliances, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station stands out. It offers an expandable 4–12 kWh battery bank (333Ah@12V) and a robust 4,000W continuous output—enough to run multiple highdraw devices simultaneously. Its <10ms UPS switching protects electronics during outages, while XStream fast charging can recharge it from 0 to 80% in just 1 hour using a standard AC outlet.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
Know Your Medical Needs
If you rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment, contact AusNet to register as a life support customer and have a backup power plan (like a portable power station) in place. Identify which devices (e.g., CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators) require uninterrupted power, and ensure your station’s capacity covers their runtime. Keep a list of the nearest support centres and emergency contacts, and schedule periodic tests of your backup power to confirm everything works smoothly when you need it most.
Charge Devices
Keep phones, laptops, and power banks fully charged when storms are forecast to maintain communication and access to critical information. Consider carrying a small solar charger or a compact power bank for quick top-ups if you run low. Store charging cables in a waterproof pouch and designate a charging station in your home where devices can refill overnight before any predicted outage.
Have a Plan
Discuss with your household what to do during an outage—identify where emergency supplies are stored, how to stay warm or cool using blankets, battery fans, or portable heaters, and how to communicate if mobile networks go down. Assign roles (e.g., who checks the power station’s status, who rounds up flashlights) and practice a short drill to familiarize everyone with the process. Keep a printed checklist by your main entryway so it’s easy to grab essentials and follow the plan when the lights go out.
Conclusion
AusNet power outages, while disruptive, can be managed effectively with the right knowledge and preparation. Utilize tools like the AusNet power outage map via Outage Tracker to stay informed during incidents. Understand the causes, be aware of AusNet's commitments to improve following the 2024 storms, and prioritize safety above all else. Most importantly, proactively prepare your household: build an emergency kit, consider investing in reliable backup power like a portable power station such as the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station, and have a clear plan. By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the stress and impact of unexpected blackouts within the AusNet network.
FAQs
How do I check if there's a power outage in my area?
The most efficient way is to use the independent Outage Tracker website or app, which provides a real-time AusNet power outage map showing current outages, causes, and estimated restoration times. You can also check the AusNet Services official outages page or call their outage line (13 17 99). Remember to check specific distributors for other areas (e.g., Essential Energy outages in their network).
What area does AusNet cover in Victoria?
AusNet Services owns and operates the electricity transmission network (high voltage towers) across all of Victoria. They also own and operate the electricity distribution network (poles and wires delivering power to homes/businesses) in eastern Victoria, covering a vast area including:
Eastern suburbs of Melbourne
Yarra Ranges
Mornington Peninsula
Gippsland region
Northern Country region (parts)
North Eastern Victoria (parts) Essentially, they service most areas east and south-east of Melbourne's CBD. Check the AusNet website for a detailed coverage map.
How can I prepare for power outages in winter?
In winter, power outages in Victoria can be more frequent due to storms, high winds, and snow. To prepare, ensure you have backup power solutions like a portable power station to keep essential devices running. Also, keep warm blankets, flashlights, and non-perishable food on hand. For those relying on medical equipment, register with AusNet as a life support customer and have a backup plan in place. Make sure to charge your devices and keep emergency numbers handy to stay connected during outages. Check the AusNet website regularly for updates on restoration times.