Electrical safety in Victoria
Electrical defect notice in Melbourne
Received a notice from your electricity distributor? Find out what it means, what to check first and how to get the electrical work sorted.
Start here
What is an electrical defect notice?
A defect notice means your distributor has identified part of the electrical installation at your property that needs to be made safe or brought into compliance.
The distributor manages the electricity network. The property owner is generally responsible for the electrical installation on their side of the connection, which can include the meter box, consumer mains and the point where an overhead line attaches to the house.
Your notice tells you what was identified, whether supply has been disconnected and when you need to act. Read that information first. If anything is unclear, ask an electrician to go through it with you.
Your next steps
What to do when you get a notice
Powercor, CitiPower, Jemena or United Energy may have issued it. The distributor's name and instructions are on your notice.
- 01
Read your notice
Check the distributor, the defect listed, whether your power has been disconnected and the deadline.
- 02
Get the defect assessed
Send Sam the details on your notice so the work can be assessed and explained before repairs begin.
- 03
Repair and test
An electrician repairs the affected installation and tests the work. Prescribed work may require an independent inspection.
- 04
Certificate and next steps
The required Certificate of Electrical Safety is issued. If power was disconnected, the distributor's reconnection process follows.
Common defects
What might need attention?
The work depends on what your notice says. Examples of customer-side defects include a damaged point of attachment, a fused mains box, a meter box or consumer mains cabling. Vegetation near private electrical equipment can also be listed.
Do not assume your notice covers the same work as someone else's. An electrician needs to assess the actual installation and the defect listed.
Keep the notice handy. It contains the details needed to discuss the job.
Act before the deadline. If the issue is not resolved, your distributor may disconnect or delay reconnection of supply.
Ask about the certificate. A Certificate of Electrical Safety documents the completed electrical work.
After the repair
Certificate and reconnection
Once the electrical work is completed and tested, the required Certificate of Electrical Safety is issued. Certain prescribed work also requires an independent inspection.
If your electricity has been disconnected, the distributor will need the required repair and paperwork before reconnection can proceed. Follow the instructions on your own notice because the process and timing depend on your distributor and circumstances.
For landlords and property managers, keep a copy of the notice and certificate with your property records.
Questions answered
Electrical defect notice FAQs
A customer-side electrical defect needs to be rectified. Check the notice for the work required and its deadline, then speak to a licensed electrician.
The deadline depends on the notice and your distributor. Read the date printed on your notice and arrange an assessment as early as you can.
The property owner is generally responsible for repairs to the customer-side electrical installation. The work needed and its cost depend on the defect found.
Electrical repair work must be carried out by an appropriately licensed electrician. Some types of work also need an independent inspection before the certificate is completed.
The electrician tests the work and arranges the required Certificate of Electrical Safety. The certificate is provided to the distributor as required. If supply was disconnected, reconnection is arranged with the distributor after its requirements are met.
For distributor guidance, see Jemena's certificate and fault advice and Powercor's electrical safety guidance. For certificate requirements, see Energy Safe Victoria.
Need help with the work listed on your notice?
Get in touch
Contact Sam
Ask Sam About Your Defect Notice
Tell Sam what your notice says, and include your suburb and the deadline if you know it.
Contact Details
Straight to Sam
Send your request and Sam will respond as quickly as possible during business hours.