Better Protections for Life Support Customers - Session 1

Better Protections for Life Support Customers 

Learn more about the #BetterTogether Life Support Customer initiative to prioritise better protections for customers who use their Life Support Equipment to sustain their life through a Rule Change Proposal.

This session is aimed at the energy sector, however it is open to all who would like to learn more and provide feedback on this important initiative.

This session for the energy sector will cover:

• Key concerns of Life Support Customers during planned and unplanned power outages
• The Life Support Customer Medical Advisory Group (LMAG) recommendations
• An overview of the key elements of the Rule Change Proposal to improve support for Life Support Customer

Life Support Customer Research 

In 2022, the Australian Energy Foundation Report (funded by Energy Consumers Australia) surveyed 4,000 Life Support Customers and found:

Overview of Better Protections for Life Support Customers 

The LMAG identified critical opportunities to improve protections for Life Support Customers. The Rule Change Proposal includes four key opportunities to improve support:

1. Targeted Life Support Equipment Definition: A more targeted definition of Life Support Equipment to ensure that customers dependent on power to operate life support machines are on the Life Support Registers and can be better prioritised and supported by the energy and medical sectors
2. National Template Medical Form: To help Life Support Customers to provide evidence of their life support status more easily by an appropriate doctor. Includes a secondary support person who can be contacted in a power outage and indication of a permanent condition
3. Template Back-up Plans​: Access to a template back-up plan so that Life Support Customers have back-up to continue use their Life Support Equipment in times of power outages. The plan and process will be informed by their doctor
4. National Awareness + Engagement: National awareness and engagement campaign on how being on a Life Support Register supports Life Support Customers. Co-designed and targeting Life Support Customers, medical practitioners and support people regarding the changes, need for re-registration and what they need to do.