When the power goes out in Australia — whether from a storm, bushfire, grid failure, or fuel supply disruption — having the right equipment on hand makes the difference between inconvenience and crisis. This curated list of 20 power outage essentials covers everything an Australian household needs to stay safe, comfortable, and connected during an extended blackout.
All items are available on Amazon Australia. We link to category search pages rather than specific products so you can compare current options and prices.
Monitor real-time fuel and energy conditions on the Fuel Crisis Australia dashboard.
Category 1: Power — Keep the Essentials Running
Backup power is the foundation of outage preparedness. From keeping your fridge cold to charging your phone, these items ensure you're not left completely in the dark.
1. Portable Inverter Generator (2,000–3,500W)
A quality inverter generator is the single most important item on this list. Inverter generators produce clean, stable power safe for sensitive electronics and are significantly quieter than conventional generators. Look for models with eco-mode for extended fuel efficiency.
Why it matters: Powers your fridge, lights, phone chargers, and medical equipment during extended outages.
🔗 Search: Portable Inverter Generator
2. Portable Power Station (500Wh–1,500Wh)
A portable power station (sometimes called a "solar generator") is a large rechargeable battery with AC outlets, USB ports, and DC outputs. Ideal for apartment dwellers or those who can't run a petrol generator. Pairs perfectly with portable solar panels.
Why it matters: Silent, zero-emission backup power for phones, laptops, CPAP machines, and small appliances.
🔗 Search: Portable Power Station
3. Portable Solar Panel (100W–200W)
Foldable solar panels can recharge portable power stations, battery banks, and some devices directly. During extended outages, solar becomes your only renewable power source. Look for panels with MC4 connectors compatible with your power station.
Why it matters: Unlimited free energy from the sun — critical if an outage lasts beyond your battery and fuel reserves.
🔗 Search: Portable Solar Panel
4. Heavy-Duty Power Bank (20,000–30,000mAh)
A high-capacity power bank keeps your mobile phone — your most important communication and information tool — charged for days. Look for models with multiple USB outputs and fast charging capability.
Why it matters: Your phone is your lifeline for emergency calls, outage updates, and family communication.
🔗 Search: Heavy Duty Power Bank
5. Heavy-Duty Extension Lead with Surge Protection
If you're running a generator, you need a quality outdoor-rated extension lead to safely distribute power into your home. Surge protection safeguards appliances when power is restored.
Why it matters: Safely connects your generator to indoor appliances without running extension cords through windows unsafely.
🔗 Search: Heavy Duty Extension Lead
Category 2: Lighting — See What You're Doing
When the lights go out, having reliable portable lighting is essential for safety and morale. LED technology has made battery-powered lighting incredibly efficient.
6. LED Camping Lantern (Rechargeable)
A bright, rechargeable LED lantern provides area lighting for a whole room. Look for models with adjustable brightness, USB charging, and 20+ hours of runtime on a single charge.
Why it matters: Provides safe, bright area lighting without fire risk. Far superior to candles.
7. LED Headtorch
A headtorch keeps both hands free for tasks — cooking, checking the fuse box, reading, or moving around the house safely in the dark. Essential, not optional.
Why it matters: Hands-free lighting for practical tasks when you can't flick a switch.
8. Battery-Powered LED String Lights
Sounds frivolous — it's not. Low-level ambient lighting throughout the house reduces trip hazards and helps maintain normal routines, especially for children. Battery-powered LED string lights last for days on a set of batteries.
Why it matters: Low-cost ambient safety lighting that makes a dark house functional.
🔗 Search: Battery Powered LED String Lights
9. Emergency Candles and Waterproof Matches
As a last-resort backup to battery-powered lighting, long-burn emergency candles (8–12 hour burn time) and waterproof matches provide reliable light. Always use with a stable candle holder and never leave unattended.
Why it matters: Zero-technology backup lighting that works when everything else has run flat.
Category 3: Food & Water — Stay Fed and Hydrated
An extended outage means no electric cooking, potential loss of refrigerated food, and in some scenarios, disrupted water supply. These items keep your household fed and hydrated.
10. Portable Camping Gas Stove
A compact butane camping stove lets you boil water, cook meals, and heat food when your electric or gas cooktop is unavailable. Stock at least 6–12 butane canisters.
Why it matters: Hot meals and boiled water during multi-day outages. Essential for families with children.
🔗 Search: Portable Camping Gas Stove
11. Butane Gas Canisters (Bulk Pack)
Stock up on canisters that fit your camping stove. A single canister typically provides 1–2 hours of cooking time. Buy in bulk packs of 12–24.
Why it matters: Fuel for your camping stove — without these, the stove is useless.
🔗 Search: Butane Gas Canisters
12. Gravity Water Filter
If mains water pressure is lost (many water systems rely on electric pumps), a gravity-fed water filter purifies creek, rainwater tank, or stored water without electricity. Look for filters that remove bacteria, protozoa, and sediment.
Why it matters: Clean drinking water without electricity — critical if your water supply is disrupted.
🔗 Search: Gravity Water Filter
13. Collapsible Water Storage Container (10–20L)
Collapsible water containers store flat when not in use and provide essential water storage capacity during an emergency. Fill them at the first sign of potential disruption.
Why it matters: Portable water storage that you can fill proactively and stack efficiently.
🔗 Search: Collapsible Water Container
14. Freeze-Dried Emergency Food (72-Hour Kit)
Pre-packaged freeze-dried meals have a 25+ year shelf life and require only boiling water to prepare. A 72-hour emergency food kit for a family of four provides peace of mind with minimal storage space.
Why it matters: Long-shelf-life food that requires minimal preparation — set and forget until needed.
🔗 Search: Freeze Dried Emergency Food
15. Insulated Cooler Bag / Esky
When the fridge loses power, an insulated cooler bag with ice packs extends the life of perishable food. A quality esky can maintain cold temperatures for 24–48 hours with adequate ice.
Why it matters: Saves your perishable food during the critical first 24–48 hours of an outage.
🔗 Search: Insulated Cooler Esky
Category 4: Comfort & Safety — Stay Safe and Sane
Extended outages test your comfort, health, and mental resilience. These items cover the often-overlooked essentials.
16. Comprehensive First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit handles minor injuries that would normally warrant a trip to the pharmacy — which may be closed during a major outage. Include bandages, antiseptic, pain relief, burn treatment, and any personal medications.
Why it matters: Medical self-sufficiency for minor injuries when pharmacies and clinics may be inaccessible.
🔗 Search: First Aid Kit Australia
17. Emergency Thermal Blankets (Mylar)
Compact, lightweight, and incredibly effective at retaining body heat, mylar emergency blankets are essential for winter outages. Pack several — they're inexpensive and take up almost no space.
Why it matters: Prevents hypothermia during cold-weather outages, especially for elderly and young family members.
🔗 Search: Emergency Thermal Blanket
18. Battery or Hand-Crank Emergency Radio (AM/FM)
When the internet is down and your phone battery is precious, a battery or hand-crank radio receives emergency broadcasts on AM/FM frequencies. Some models include a built-in torch and phone charger.
Why it matters: Access to emergency information when digital communication fails.
🔗 Search: Emergency Hand Crank Radio
19. Carbon Monoxide Detector (Battery Operated)
If you're running a generator, gas stove, or any combustion device near your home, a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector is non-negotiable. CO is colourless and odourless — you won't detect it without a device.
Why it matters: Prevents carbon monoxide poisoning — the leading cause of death during power outages involving generators.
🔗 Search: Carbon Monoxide Detector
20. Waterproof Document Bag
Keep copies of important documents — insurance policies, identification, medical records, emergency contacts — in a waterproof bag ready to grab. During combined events (storm + outage), protecting your documents is critical.
Why it matters: Protects irreplaceable documents during emergencies that combine outages with flooding or storm damage.
🔗 Search: Waterproof Document Bag
Building Your Kit: Where to Start
You don't need to buy everything at once. Prioritise based on your situation:
Tier 1 — Buy Now (Essential)
- Power bank (#4), LED lantern (#6), headtorch (#7), first aid kit (#16), emergency radio (#18)
Tier 2 — Buy This Month (Important)
- Camping stove + gas (#10, #11), water containers (#13), cooler (#15), carbon monoxide detector (#19)
Tier 3 — Buy This Quarter (Full Resilience)
- Portable power station or generator (#1 or #2), solar panel (#3), water filter (#12), emergency food (#14)
For detailed guidance on how to use this equipment during an outage, read our power outage survival guide and our energy shortage preparation guide.
Stay informed about Australia's fuel security situation on the Fuel Crisis Australia dashboard.
Disclosure: Links go to Amazon Australia search results. We do not use affiliate links. Product availability and pricing may vary.