We own and operate Victoria’s electricity transmission network and one of the five distribution networks.
Each year our Aerial Operations Program inspects around 40,000 poles on our electricity network from the air.
We use specialised helicopters and crew to thoroughly inspect overhead powerlines and poles to make sure the electricity supply across the AusNet distribution network remains safe and reliable.
Why we use helicopters
Helicopters significantly reduce the time taken to inspect an area. They allow a bird’s-eye view for us to identify, monitor and repair any wear and tear or potential risks to supply, such as deterioration on the topside of poles.
We're aware that noise from helicopters can present a risk to some livestock. That's why our specialised pilots remain alert for livestock and, where possible, change course to avoid unsettling animals.
Playing a vital role in keeping communities safe
Our aerial team also provides rapid response to assess damage and resolve any faults/outages that occur on the network after a severe weather event, such as storms, floods, or bushfires.
SAIP patrols – August 2025
From Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August we’ll be doing inspections on our transmission network using a smart aerial image processing system (SAIP).
This system uses a high-resolution image capture program to capture a continuous stream of digital images of all 6500 kilometres of our high-voltage powerlines. Its software then processes the images and identifies any potential defects.
These inspections help us provide safe and reliable electricity to our communities. The maps below show where you may see our helicopters.
