Life Support

Why Register?

When you register life-support equipment with LPE we:

• Record the requirement at your supply address and keep it up to date. 
• Make sure you receive advance written notice of any planned outages affecting your supply so you can make alternative arrangements. (Competitor guidance requires retailers to provide advance notice — e.g. at least four business days for planned outages in many cases). 
• Work with the network distributor to minimise the risk of disconnection or de-energisation where life-support equipment is in use. 

Important: Registration is specific to the supply address. If you move, you’ll need to re-register at your new address.

How to register 

1. Call our Customer Support team on 1300 443 735
2. We will send you a Medical Confirmation Form (either by email or post). Have your medical practitioner complete and return this form to confirm that the equipment is required. 
3. Once we receive the completed form, we will register the life-support requirement for your supply address and notify the distributor. We’ll confirm registration with you and explain the protections available.

Eligibility

If you or a person residing or intending to reside at your premises requires any of the equipment below, you are eligible to apply for the Life Support Program:

• An oxygen concentrator
• An intermittent peritoneal dialysis machine
• A kidney dialysis machine
• A chronic positive airways pressure respirator
• Crigler najjar syndrome phototherapy equipment
• A ventilator for life support
• Any other equipment that a registered medical practitioner certifies as required for life support.

Electricity supply is not guaranteed

Storms, cyclones, bushfires, and other unforeseen events—such as vehicle accidents involving power poles—can affect the electricity network and result in unplanned outages. The distributor will act as quickly as possible to restore supply, however they cannot guarantee continuous electricity or restoration within a specific timeframe.

Please note that being registered in our Life Support Program does not ensure an uninterrupted power supply or prioritised restoration during an outage. If uninterrupted power is critical, we strongly recommend speaking with a licensed electrical contractor about backup supply options.

It is also essential to have a plan in place with your doctor or life support equipment provider to ensure you are prepared and supported in the event of a power interruption.

Make sure you have a plan of action

In the event of a power interruption, it is important to have a plan in place to reduce the impact on both your life support equipment and your health. To help you prepare, ask yourself the following questions:

• How does your life support equipment perform if the main supply fails?
• If you have a back-up battery, is it fully charged for use at all times and how long will this back up supply last?
• If you have reserve oxygen cylinders, are they filled and working?
• Have you made a note of the nearest hospital, its address and contact details?
• Do you know if your hospital can supply power via back-up generators during power interruptions?
• If your back-up battery is low and power has still not been reconnected to your home, do you have a transport plan in place to enable you to get to the hospital?
• Do you have important contact numbers on hand for:
• Our Life Support emergency number?
• Doctor?
• Local hospital?
• Ambulance?
• Taxi?
• Personal carer?
• Health care professional?
• Is your supply of medications, prescription drugs and any special health needs fully stocked?
• Have you protected your electronic equipment by plugging computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors or considered an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for temporary back-up power?
• Does your phone still work when electrical supply is disrupted? Cordless phones won’t operate without electrical supply. Do you have an alternative phone service available?

Have you put together a Power Outage kit?

You can also visit Power Outage Plan website and use their checklist to help you and your support people to prepare for a potential loss of power.