Who do I call if a tree has come down?

Triple Zero (000): 000 (Anyone is in danger, or powerlines are down). VICSES (storm and flood emergency help): 132 500 (A tree has fallen and damaged the house or a car, the roof is damaged or leaking significantly, a tree or branch is blocking you in or out, or the house is flooded or about to flood). CitiPower (electricity faults and emergencies): 13 12 80 (Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances), covering Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs. Powercor (electricity faults and emergencies): 13 24 12 (Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances), covering Melbourne's western suburbs, and central and western Victoria out to the SA and NSW borders. Jemena (electricity faults and emergencies): 13 16 26 (Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances), covering North and western Melbourne. United Energy (electricity faults and emergencies): 13 20 99 (Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances), covering Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula. AusNet (electricity faults and emergencies): 13 17 99 (Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances), covering Eastern and north-eastern Victoria, and Melbourne's north and east.

Emergency guide · Victoria · Carpenter

A tree has come down

What to do first when a tree comes down, and who to ring depending on what it hit.

Life in danger, fire, or someone hurt? Call 000 now. Then come back to this page.

Call 000

Before anything else

If the tree has brought down powerlines, stay at least 10 metres away and call 000 if anyone is in danger.

What to do, in order

Call VICSES on 132 500 if it has damaged the house or a car, or is stopping you getting in or out of your home.
If it's on or near powerlines, don't touch the tree or anything it's touching, and report it to your electricity distributor.
For clearing debris, or cutting down a damaged tree that's still standing, VICSES asks you to use a professional tradesperson.
Photograph the damage and call your insurer.
Wear strong boots and gloves when cleaning up.

Who to call

Electricity, gas and water faults go to whoever owns the network in your street, so only one of these regional numbers is yours. It is also printed on your bill. Find your electricity distributor by postcode.

Triple Zero (000) 000

Anyone is in danger, or powerlines are down.
VICSES (storm and flood emergency help) 132 500

A tree has fallen and damaged the house or a car, the roof is damaged or leaking significantly, a tree or branch is blocking you in or out, or the house is flooded or about to flood.
CitiPower (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 12 80

Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

Covers: Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs
Powercor (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 24 12

Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

Covers: Melbourne's western suburbs, and central and western Victoria out to the SA and NSW borders
Jemena (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 16 26

Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

Covers: North and western Melbourne
United Energy (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 20 99

Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

Covers: Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula
AusNet (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 17 99

Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

Covers: Eastern and north-eastern Victoria, and Melbourne's north and east

When you need a carpenter

VICSES handles emergencies only. Book a tradesperson to remove debris or a damaged standing tree, and a builder or carpenter for any structural repair, usually through your insurer.

Once everyone is safe, find a carpenter who can come today.

Tradie2U shows which tradies near you are free now, today or tomorrow, with their call-out fee upfront. You ask one, and they have a set time to answer. Free, no card. This guide is in the app too, with the right number for your street.

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Where this comes from

Checked against the official sources below and reviewed before publishing, 28 September 2026.