# What do I do in a Brisbane power outage? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. What do I do in a Brisbane power outage? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [What do I do in a Brisbane power outage?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-outage-what-to-do-brisbane/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) In a power outage, check whether it is street-wide, report it to your network provider and stay clear of fallen lines; call 000 if life is at risk. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. How do I find out if it is a wider outage? 2. What should I do about fallen powerlines? 3. What can I do while the power is out? 4. Will my solar panels keep my home running? 5. What happens when the power comes back? 6. When is it not a network problem? 7. What to note when you report an outage 8. Frequently asked questions In a power outage, find out whether it is street-wide by looking at neighbouring homes and your network provider’s outage information, and report faults to your network provider’s faults line. Stay well clear of fallen powerlines and call 000 if anyone is in danger. If only your home is affected, contact a licensed electrician. ## How do I find out if it is a wider outage? Look at neighbouring homes and streetlights. If many are dark, it is probably a network outage. Your network provider publishes outage information, and in much of south-east Queensland that provider is Energex, though you should check who serves your address. If the outage is not listed yet, report it to your network provider’s faults line. Having your address and a description of what you saw ready makes the report faster. If your neighbours still have power, the fault may be in your own home. See our article on *only my house having no power*. ## What should I do about fallen powerlines? Treat every fallen or low-hanging line as live, even if it looks lifeless or the area is dark. Powerlines can stay energised or become live again without warning when supply is restored. Fallen lines, sparks or smoke Stay well back from any fallen or damaged powerline and keep children and pets away. Do not touch it, do not go near water or anything touching it, and do not try to move it. If anyone is hurt or in danger, or there is fire, smoke or sparking, call **000**. For damage that is not an immediate danger, report it to your network provider’s faults line. ## What can I do while the power is out? Most of what helps is simply waiting safely and protecting what you have. What you can safely do Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed so they stay cold for longer. Use battery torches in preference to candles, which are a fire risk. If someone depends on medical equipment that needs power, follow the backup plan from their healthcare provider and call 000 in an emergency. ## Will my solar panels keep my home running? Usually not. A standard grid-connected solar system shuts down during an outage, partly to protect line workers repairing the network. A battery with backup capability and a backup circuit is needed to keep chosen loads running. Panels still produce power whenever light reaches them, so solar equipment can be live even when nothing seems to be working. Do not touch or try to restart it. If it does not return to normal after power is restored, contact your installer or a licensed electrician. Our article on *solar during a power outage* goes into more detail. ## What happens when the power comes back? Power can return with surges or interruptions, and some appliances may behave differently afterwards. Follow each appliance maker’s instructions in its manual. If something does not work as it should, or you notice a burning smell, flickering or unusual noises, stop using it and keep away from it. Contact the appliance maker or a licensed electrician rather than trying to fix it. ## When is it not a network problem? If an outage affects only your home or only part of it, the cause is more likely to be inside your property. Fault-finding on a home’s electrical installation must be done by a licensed electrician in Queensland, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. ## What to note when you report an outage 1. Your address — Have your address ready, and the nearest cross street if you are reporting something you can see in the street. 2. When it started — Note the time the power went off and whether there was a storm, bang or flicker beforehand. 3. What you can see — Note whether neighbours and streetlights are affected, and describe any damage to lines or poles from a safe distance. 4. Any reference number — Write down the reference number the provider gives you so you can follow up. ## Frequently asked questions - Report network faults to your network provider's faults line. Call 000 if anyone is in danger, or there is fire, smoke, sparking or a fallen line putting life at risk. - Look at neighbouring homes and streetlights, and check your network provider's outage information. If only your property is affected, contact a licensed electrician. - Stay well back, keep others away and call 000 if life is at risk. Do not rely on a fixed distance unless your network provider specifies one. - A standard grid-connected system shuts down in an outage. Only a battery with backup capability and a backup circuit can keep chosen loads running. - Only if something does not work properly, flickers, buzzes or smells of burning. Stop using it and contact the maker or a licensed electrician. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalWhy is my house the only one without power?If neighbours still have power, the fault may be in your home's own electrical installation; check the outage map and call a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/only-my-house-no-power/) - [Costs and financeCan 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.](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [SolarDo solar panels work during a blackout?Most grid-connected solar shuts down in a blackout to protect line workers, so backup power needs a battery set up for it.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [ElectricalWhat do I do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock?For fire, smoke, sparks, a shock or anyone hurt, get everyone out and call 000, and do not touch the equipment or the person.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-emergency-what-to-do/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. How do I find out if it is a wider outage? 2. What should I do about fallen powerlines? 3. What can I do while the power is out? 4. Will my solar panels keep my home running? 5. What happens when the power comes back? 6. When is it not a network problem? 7. What to note when you report an outage 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-outage-what-to-do-brisbane/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).