Why Electrical Services Under HSV Contracts Are Vital for Healthcare

Behind every theatre, emergency room, and ward lies a network of electrical systems that hospitals cannot do without. From powering life-saving equipment to maintaining lighting and critical infrastructure, electrical reliability is fundamental to safe and effective care. In Victoria, these services are strengthened through HealthShare Victoria (HSV) contracts — with approved contractors such as Australian Electrical Industries (AEI) ensuring facilities remain safe, compliant, and operational.

Why HSV Matters for Electrical Services

HSV collective agreements are designed to simplify procurement and guarantee compliance. For electrical contractors, being on an HSV contract is more than a business arrangement — it is a signal that they have met the state’s highest standards of governance, safety, and technical capability.

For hospitals, this means confidence. Engaging an HSV-approved electrical contractor ensures that all vetting has been completed and that the provider is trained to operate in sensitive, high-risk environments. For contractors, it provides a framework to deliver services efficiently across Victoria’s health network, while aligning with strict technical standards such as AS/NZS 3003:2018 for medical electrical installations.

Why Electrical Contracts Count in Healthcare

Electrical systems underpin every aspect of healthcare delivery. Without them, theatres cannot function, intensive care equipment cannot operate, and even routine patient care becomes impossible. By sourcing these services through HSV contracts, hospitals gain:

• Compliance assurance — Electrical contractors must demonstrate strict adherence to regulatory standards, including AS/NZS 3003:2018, HV/LV reporting, and hospital infection control protocols, before being included on HSV agreements.
• Reliable access — Pre-approved providers can be engaged quickly, avoiding delays to urgent works or after-hours callouts.
• Consistent service standards — Collective agreements ensure tested methodologies such as planned shutdowns, isolation plans, and clinical risk assessments are embedded in delivery.
• System-wide value — Centralised contracts secure transparent pricing and service accountability across the health system.
   

For example, AEI’s position as an HSV-approved electrical contractor allows hospitals to engage their services directly, knowing compliance checks are already complete. That reduces administrative burden and ensures critical works — such as switchboard testing, UPS replacements, or automatic transfer switch (ATS) commissioning — can commence without delay.

The Impact on Patient Safety and Care

The reliability of electrical systems directly influences patient safety. Backup power systems — including uninterrupted power supplies (UPS), standby generators, and load-shedding controls — must activate without fail during outages. Theatres require stable supply for surgical lighting, cardiac-protected outlets, and monitoring equipment. Wards and laboratories rely on electrical systems to support both patient comfort and diagnostic accuracy.

By using HSV contracts, hospitals can trust that electrical contractors have been rigorously assessed for competence in these areas. This reduces risks, prevents costly downtime, and provides assurance to both staff and patients that facilities will remain operational under all conditions.

Looking Ahead

As the health sector evolves, so too does the role of electrical contractors. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and digital asset management are becoming critical. HSV contracts are beginning to incorporate these priorities, ensuring contractors contribute not only to compliance but also to innovation.

Recent changes under the Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025 have strengthened Victoria’s electrical safety regulations. For health services, engaging HSV-approved contractors such as AEI ensures compliance with these evolving requirements — reducing risk and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Contractors like AEI are already aligned with these expectations, providing:

• Power factor correction and harmonic filtering to optimise system efficiency.
• Digital asset registers and compliance reporting to support VHBA and ISO 55001 requirements.
• Embedded infection control procedures so works are carried out safely in live environments.
   

These measures support both immediate reliability and the long-term sustainability of hospital infrastructure.

Confidence Through HSV Contracts

Electrical systems are invisible to most patients, but they are the backbone of safe healthcare. HealthShare Victoria contracts ensure these systems are maintained by trusted contractors who meet the state’s highest standards.

For hospitals, engaging an HSV-approved provider means more than compliance — it means confidence that critical infrastructure, from operating theatres to laboratories, will keep working when it matters most.

Australian Electrical Industries (AEI) is proud to be an approved electrical contractor under HSV contracts, supporting hospitals and health services across Victoria with safe, reliable, and fully compliant electrical solutions.

Image credit: iStock.com/BugTiger