About AusNet
AusNet's distribution network serves about 823,000 customers over 46,000 kilometres of line, covering the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges, Gippsland, the Latrobe Valley and the north-east. It has the highest network charges of Victoria's five networks.
Its area is heavily treed and storm-exposed. The 13 February 2024 storms left hundreds of thousands of Victorian customers without power, most of them on the AusNet and United Energy networks, and AEMO directed AusNet to carry out emergency load shedding the same afternoon.
AusNet was bought by a consortium led by Brookfield in February 2022. It runs an online Outage Tracker showing current outages and estimated restoration times.
Owner: Owned by a consortium led by Brookfield, which completed its purchase in February 2022. AusNet also owns most of Victoria's transmission network.
AusNet in numbers
| Customers | 823,455 |
|---|---|
| Residential customers | 737,264 |
| Line length | 46,489 km |
| Overhead | 37,949 km |
| Underground | 8,540 km (18%) |
| Customers per km of line | 17.7 |
| Regulatory asset base | $5.5 billion |
| Homes on cost-reflective network tariffs | 47.4% (2024) |
| Regulatory period | 2026-31 |
Across all networks the AER regulates, the average is 14.5 customers per kilometre of line and 37.4% of homes on cost-reflective tariffs. Fewer customers per kilometre generally means higher costs per customer and longer outages. See network reliability.
AusNet power outages and faults
Check AusNet's current outages first. If your outage is not listed, report it by phone or online. If only your home is affected, check your switchboard: see power out in your house.
Fallen powerlines
Treat any fallen line as live. Stay well back, call 000 if anyone is in danger, then call AusNet. See fallen powerline safety.
More on outages in Victoria: power outages in Victoria and compensation for long outages.
What AusNet means for your bill
Network charges are built into your retailer's usage rate and daily supply charge. The AER found network charges were up to 46% of a residential bill in 2024. On the Victorian Default Offer for the AusNet area in 2026-27, the price is 31.98c per kWh and $1.28 a day, about $1,747 a year at 4,000 kWh.
Retailers compete in this network. As at 14 October 2026, the cheapest generally available flat-rate plan was 1st Energy's 1st Emerald, Residential - Anytime, at about $1,359 a year for 4,000 kWh. See the full ranking.
How network prices are decided: AER determinations and network charges explained.
Places on the AusNet network
City guides with local bills, solar output and installation numbers: Melbourne, Latrobe Valley, Wodonga, Wangaratta.
Connecting solar on the AusNet network
AusNet approves every new solar connection and sets the export limit for your address. Your installer applies on your behalf. Read about export limits, export charges and the emergency backstop before you buy.
Questions about AusNet
13 17 99 (report a fault or outage). Call 000 first if anyone is in danger.
No. AusNet owns and runs the network. Your retailer sends the bill and sets your plan, and pays AusNet to deliver the power. Call AusNet about outages and faults, and your retailer about bills.
Owned by a consortium led by Brookfield, which completed its purchase in February 2022. AusNet also owns most of Victoria's transmission network.
About 823,455, of which 737,264 are homes, according to the AER as at 30 June 2024.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.