Powerlines and poles FAQ

Electricity distribution companies own and manage the power poles and wires that distribute power to homes and businesses across the state.

Electricity distribution companies are sometimes also called ‘power companies’, ‘electricity distributors’ or ‘distribution businesses’.

Your electricity distribution company depends on where you live – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

Contact your local power company, also known as the electricity distribution company – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

For information on electric or magnetic fields, you should contact The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

This agency has detailed information regarding radiation, electrical and magnetic fields.

For information on radiation from transmission lines, you should contact The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency or AusNet Services Transmission.

There is no regulated distance, but if you have any concerns these should be raised with the power company for the location.

You cannot build on an easement. If you want to plant vegetation on an easement contact the power company for the area.

If your building will be within 4,600mm from any powerline or pole, you should contact the power company. For further information, refer to:

• Building design near overhead powerlines

• No Go Zone rules

Refer to the No Go Zone rules and contact the power company if you are working within 6,400mm of any overhead powerline, or within 1,000mm of any power or light pole.

WorkSafe has a guidebook available to inform workers Using powered mobile plant near overhead assets – Guidebook (WorkSafe)

Before excavating more than 300mm deep on public or private land, you must contact Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) to identify any underground cables in the vicinity.

For digging near underground powerlines contact your local power company – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

You must contact the power company if you are digging:

• 900mm or deeper within 1,500mm of a power pole or light pole or stay wire
• 1,800mm or deeper within 3,000mm of a power pole or light pole or stay wire.

Most transmission lines are on an easement and you cannot build on an easement. In general, you should always contact AusNet Services Transmission before planning any construction near transmission lines.

In most cases, it is prohibited to install an electric line on publicly owned land unless you confirm that you meet the conditions of an exemption with Energy Safe – see Exemptions

If you require temporary electricity supply, you must contact the power company in that area.