Home Backup & Standby Generators

Note: All portable units may need modification if connecting to a switchboard.
We are happy to discuss your specific application. Please Call 1300 622 436.

Freight excluded unless otherwise stated.

Portable or standby generator, which one's right for you?

A portable generator gets wheeled out, started and connected when you need it, with no installation required, a lower upfront cost, and more hands-on involvement when the power actually drops. A standby generator is permanently installed with an automatic transfer switch and starts itself the moment the power goes. Portable units may need a licensed electrician if you're connecting to your switchboard; standby units always do.

Petrol, diesel, gas generator or inverter?

Petrol generators are widely available and straightforward, but need more frequent refuelling. Diesel units run longer on a tank and suit extended outages. Gas-connected standby units, like our Generac range, draw straight from your existing gas supply, so there's no refuelling at all. Inverter generators produce cleaner power, better suited to sensitive electronics.

What generator size do you actually need?

A fridge, a few lights and a modem is a very different load to a whole house with air conditioning on a rural property. As a starting point, add up what you actually want to keep running during a blackout, then use our Power Calculator to confirm the figure before you buy.

The generator brands we recommend for home backup

Maxwatt and Pramac cover most households, from a simple portable unit through to a full standby setup. Use our Power Calculator to narrow down the size, then talk to us about which brand actually suits how you'll use it.

Which one's for me

Want the essentials covered without a big outlay? A portable petrol or inverter unit does the job. Want it to switch on automatically so you never have to think about it during an outage? A standby gas generator with auto-start costs more upfront, but there's nothing to set up when the power actually goes.

Why choose Macfarlane Generators

Macfarlane Generators has traded since 1949, with four branches across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, and every unit bought in-store is tested before it leaves us. Buying online, you can add Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) for $150 to get the same inspection before it ships. If something needs attention after the sale, the person who answers the phone knows generators, that's the actual difference between us and a warehouse that just ships the box.