For life-threatening electrical emergencies in Hobart, call 000. For urgent faults such as a total blackout, tripping safety switch, or sparking power point, a licensed emergency electrician can typically attend within 45–90 minutes across greater Hobart. If you suspect the outage is area-wide, contact TasNetworks on 13 2004 to check for network faults before calling a private electrician.
What to do right now
- 1
Ensure immediate safety
Turn off the main switch at your switchboard if there is any sign of sparking, smoke, or a burning smell. Keep clear of damaged wiring, especially after storms. Call 000 for electric shock injuries.
- 2
Check with TasNetworks
Call TasNetworks on 13 2004 or check their outage map online. Hobart and southern Tasmania can experience wind and storm-related outages — TasNetworks will manage network-side faults.
- 3
Contact a licensed emergency electrician
Find a 24/7 electrician serving greater Hobart on Urgent Electrician. Confirm they hold a Tasmanian electrical licence issued by Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS).
- 4
Obtain compliance documentation
In Tasmania, electricians must issue a Certificate of Electrical Compliance for notifiable work, confirming it meets AS/NZS 3000 and Tasmanian regulations.
When to call an emergency electrician
- ⚠️Your property has no power but neighbours still have supply
- ⚠️Safety switch keeps tripping and the cause is unclear
- ⚠️Storm damage has affected your wiring, service line, or meter box
- ⚠️Burning smell or visible damage at a power point or switchboard
- ⚠️Flickering or dimming lights throughout the house
How much does it cost?
Emergency electrician callout fees in Hobart typically range from $120 to $230 during business hours. After-hours rates rise to $220–$420. Labour rates are $65–$105 per hour. Hobart has a smaller pool of after-hours electricians compared to mainland capitals, which may affect availability during storms. A safety switch replacement averages $170–$320, and a switchboard upgrade costs $1,300–$3,400.