Residents and businesses affected by the major power outage in Mildura, Victoria, are being offered increased financial assistance after thousands of customers experienced prolonged disruption to their electricity supply.

Powercor has increased the payment available to eligible customers from $90 to $380, following the significant outage that affected Mildura and surrounding areas last week. The company has also said it can bring the payment forward rather than requiring customers to wait for the amount to appear as a credit on a future electricity bill.

The outage began after a utility vehicle crashed into a critical power pole in the Birdwoodton area near Mildura on September 21. The incident caused a major fault on the electricity network and resulted in thousands of homes and businesses losing power. Powercor described the fault as an unusual and complex event because high-voltage electricity entered parts of the lower-voltage network.

The prolonged outage created difficulties for residents, businesses and community services. Earlier reports indicated that more than 2,700 homes and businesses were affected, while some residents faced extended periods without electricity. Powercor crews carried out inspections and safety checks before electricity could be restored to affected properties.

The latest assistance arrangement gives eligible customers the opportunity to apply for the increased $380 payment. Local reporting states that applications for the increased payment are open until 31 October 2026. Customers who were affected can also seek assistance with claims for damaged appliances and electrical equipment.

A community information hub has continued operating at the Alfred Deakin Centre, providing information and support to people affected by the outage. Services have included assistance with insurance-related questions, charging facilities and referrals to other support services.

Powercor inspectors have also continued follow-up visits for properties where inspections could not initially be completed or where residents requested another visit. Customers with damaged electrical equipment or appliances have been encouraged to report the damage as part of the claims process.

The increased payment is the latest response following one of the most disruptive electricity incidents Mildura has experienced in recent years. The assistance is intended to provide additional support to customers who experienced extended disruption while crews worked to restore and safely inspect the network.

For residents and businesses seeking the payment, eligibility and application requirements should be checked directly with Powercor before submitting a claim.