Energy Safe Victoria’s Registered Electrical Contractors guidance, updated 17 December 2025, says an REC must call 1800 000 922 as soon as practical after becoming aware of a serious electrical incident related to work being carried out by its business or workers, and submit the Electrical Incident Report within 20 business days of the incident (figures checked 1 October 2026). The phone notification and written form are separate stages; the written-report rule also covers any electric shock related to the work or at the work’s location. A confirmed notification already made to Energy Safe Victoria by the REC’s employee, the incident workplace’s manager or controller, or the relevant MEC means the REC need not notify or provide a written report.
What are the phone-notification and written-report stages?
Energy Safe Victoria separates the immediate phone notification from the later written report:
| Stage | When it applies | Required action | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone notification | The REC becomes aware of a serious electrical incident related to work being carried out by its business or workers | Call 1800 000 922 | As soon as practical |
| Written report | After an incident | Submit the Electrical Incident Report form | Within 20 business days of the incident |
| Electric-shock report | Any electric shock related to the work or at the work’s location | Submit the Electrical Incident Report form | Within 20 business days |
The phone call does not replace the form. Energy Safe Victoria uses “as soon as practical” for the call and a separate 20-business-day period for the written report.
What counts as a serious electrical incident?
The incident must be connected with work being carried out by the REC’s business or its workers. Energy Safe Victoria says a serious electrical incident causes, or has the potential to cause:
- the death of or injury to a person;
- significant damage to property; or
- a serious risk to public safety.
These are alternative categories. The definition does not require an actual death, injury or property loss if the incident has the potential to cause that outcome.
Does every electric shock require a report?
The written-report rule is expressed broadly for electric shocks. Any electric shock related to the work, or at the work’s location, requires an Electrical Incident Report within 20 business days.
That wording specifically concerns the form. For the phone-notification decision, apply the separate serious-incident definition rather than treating the electric-shock wording as a replacement for that test.
When does the 20-business-day period start?
Energy Safe Victoria states that the form is due within 20 business days of the incident. The guidance does not describe the phone call as the start of that period or as a way to reset it.
If the incident date is disputed or the matter is close to the deadline, check the current regulator guidance and confirm the timing with Energy Safe Victoria rather than calculating from an assumed date.
How should the written report be sent?
Use the Electrical Incident Report form listed on the regulator page. Energy Safe Victoria gives these submission options:
- By post: Electrical Incidents, Energy Safe Victoria, PO Box 262, Collins Street West VIC 8007
- By email: info@energysafe.vic.gov.au
The regulator page lists both Word and PDF versions of the form.
What if someone else has already notified Energy Safe Victoria?
There is a confirmation-based exception. Energy Safe Victoria says an REC does not need to notify it or provide a written report if the REC has confirmed that one of the following has already notified the regulator:
- the REC’s employee;
- a manager or controller of the incident workplace; or
- the relevant MEC.
The REC needs confirmation of that notification; it should not assume that someone else’s report has removed its reporting obligation.
What should be checked alongside this guidance?
Energy Safe Victoria says its REC information is for general use, is not a definitive guide to the law, and should be read with the Electricity Safety Act and relevant regulations. Check the regulator page for the current requirements and your insurance policy’s PDS for any separate notification provisions that apply to your policy.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Sources
FAQ
Is the phone call the same as submitting the Electrical Incident Report?
No. When a serious electrical incident connected with the REC’s work occurs, call 1800 000 922 as soon as practical and submit the form within 20 business days of the incident. One step does not replace the other, subject to the confirmed-notification exception.
Does every electric shock require an Electrical Incident Report?
The written-report requirement covers any electric shock related to the work or at the work’s location. The form is due within 20 business days.
When does the 20-business-day period start?
Energy Safe Victoria measures it from the incident, not from the phone call.
What if an employee or workplace manager has already notified Energy Safe Victoria?
If the REC has confirmed that its employee, the incident workplace’s manager or controller, or the relevant MEC has notified Energy Safe Victoria, the REC does not need to notify or provide a written report.
Where should the completed form be sent?
Send it by email to info@energysafe.vic.gov.au, or by post to Electrical Incidents, Energy Safe Victoria, PO Box 262, Collins Street West VIC 8007.
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