Step 1: Check the Energex Outage Map
Before assuming the fault is in your home, check whether Energex (the electricity distributor for South-East Queensland) has a network outage in your area. Visit the Energex outage map at energex.com.au or call 13 62 62. You can also check if your neighbours have power — if the whole street is dark, it is almost certainly a network outage and not your home. Energex outages are caused by storms, equipment failure, planned maintenance, or high demand. During storms, Energex prioritises restoring power to critical infrastructure first, then works through residential areas.
- •Visit energex.com.au or call Energex on 13 62 62
- •Check if your neighbours also have no power
- •If the whole street is out, it is a network outage — wait for Energex
- •During storms, restoration can take hours depending on damage
Step 2: Check Your Safety Switches and Circuit Breakers
If Energex shows no outage in your area, the problem is likely inside your home. Go to your switchboard (usually located near the front door, in the garage, or on an external wall). Look for any switches that are in the OFF or middle position. Safety switches (RCDs) and circuit breakers trip to protect you from electrical faults. Try switching them back to the ON position. If a circuit breaker trips immediately after resetting, there is a fault on that circuit. If a safety switch trips, unplug all appliances on that circuit, reset the switch, and plug them back in one at a time to identify the faulty device.
- •Switchboard is usually near the front door, garage, or external wall
- •Look for switches in OFF or middle position
- •Reset by pushing fully to OFF, then to ON
- •If it trips immediately, there is a fault on that circuit
- •Unplug appliances and reset to isolate the faulty device
Step 3: Identify If the Fault Is Serious
Some electrical faults require immediate professional attention. If you smell burning or see scorch marks on the switchboard, do not touch it — call an electrician immediately. If a safety switch keeps tripping even with all appliances unplugged, the fault is in the wiring, not an appliance. If only part of your home has lost power (some rooms work, others do not), a circuit breaker for that section may have tripped, or there could be a broken neutral — a potentially dangerous situation that requires an electrician. If the lights are flickering or unusually dim throughout the house, this could indicate a supply issue that Energex needs to investigate, or a loose connection in your switchboard.
- •Burning smell or scorch marks: do NOT touch — call electrician immediately
- •Safety switch tripping with nothing plugged in: wiring fault
- •Partial power loss: check individual circuit breakers
- •Flickering lights throughout: possible supply issue or loose connection
- •Buzzing from switchboard: call electrician — do not attempt repair
Step 4: Call a Licensed Emergency Electrician
If you cannot restore power by resetting your safety switches and circuit breakers, or if you suspect a fault in the wiring, call a licensed emergency electrician. In Brisbane, emergency electricians are available 24/7 and most can arrive within 30 to 60 minutes. Through UrgentTradie, you will be connected with a verified, licensed electrician in your suburb. While waiting, avoid using candles (fire risk) — use battery-powered torches or your phone's flashlight instead. Do not open the fridge or freezer to preserve cold temperatures. Unplug sensitive electronics like computers to protect them from a power surge when electricity is restored.
- •Call a licensed emergency electrician if resetting does not work
- •Use torches instead of candles while waiting
- •Keep the fridge and freezer closed to preserve temperature
- •Unplug sensitive electronics to protect against power surges
- •UrgentTradie connects you with verified local electricians fast