Costs and finance Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?
Some network providers run service-standard payment schemes for certain outages, but eligibility varies, so check your provider's official page.
Some electricity network providers publish service-standard schemes that can include payments in certain outage situations, but whether you qualify depends on the type and length of the outage and the scheme’s own rules. Any payment comes from your network provider, not an electrician. Read your provider’s official information before making a claim.
Who would pay if I am eligible?
The network provider is the business that owns and runs the poles and wires. In much of south-east Queensland that is Energex. If a payment scheme applies, it is the network provider that decides and pays, not your electricity retailer, and not an electrician.
That also means an electrician cannot assess whether you are eligible. They can only help with the wiring and equipment inside your property.
What affects whether I would qualify?
Schemes of this kind commonly depend on factors such as how long the outage lasted, how many outages you had, and what caused it. Planned and unplanned outages can be treated differently, and the third-party pages we found disagreed on planned outages, so it is important to read the provider’s own rules.
There can also be time limits for claiming and requirements about how a claim is made. We have not quoted amounts or deadlines here because they can change, and they need to be checked on the provider’s official page.
What if the outages keep happening?
Report each outage to your network provider and keep a simple log of dates, times and how long they lasted. A pattern can help the provider find the cause. If the outages affect only your property while neighbours stay connected, the cause may be inside your home, and a licensed electrician should look at it.
Where do I find the official rules?
Go to your network provider’s own website, such as energex.com.au for Energex customers, and look for its customer service standards or guaranteed service level information. Third-party websites sometimes summarise these schemes incorrectly, so use them only as a starting point.
What about spoiled food or damaged appliances?
A service-standard scheme and an insurance claim are different things. If food spoiled or an appliance was damaged, your home and contents insurer can tell you what your policy covers. Policies differ, so check the wording rather than assuming.
It helps to keep records: the times, photos of damaged items and any receipts. If an appliance stops working after power returns, the maker or a licensed electrician can tell you whether it needs repair.
Can my electrician handle an outage claim?
No. Outage payments are a matter between you and your network provider. A licensed electrician can help if the problem is inside your property, and in Queensland all electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, with the Electrical Safety Office Queensland as the regulator.
How to approach a claim
Record the outage
Write down when the power went off, when it came back and what you saw, such as storms or damage. Keep any fault or reference number the provider gave you.
Find the official information
Look for your network provider’s official page on service standards or guaranteed service levels, and read the rules for your type of outage.
Gather your records
Collect photos, receipts and notes. Do not touch or move damaged equipment to take them.
Contact your network provider
Use the contact method on its official page to ask whether the outage qualifies and how to claim.
Ask your insurer separately
If you have lost food or equipment, ask your insurer what your policy covers, and for any claim time limits.
Frequently asked questions
If a scheme applies, the payment comes from your network provider, which owns and runs the poles and wires. It does not come from your retailer or an electrician.
It depends on the provider's rules, and the sources we found disagreed. Check your network provider's official service-standard information.
A network payment scheme is separate from insurance. Ask your home and contents insurer what your policy covers.
There may be. Check your network provider's official page for the rules that apply and keep records of when the outage happened.
No, they cannot assess eligibility. They can help with problems inside your property, and electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician in Queensland.
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