The Department of Defence has been charged with breaching federal work health and safety laws after two army recruits suffered severe electric shocks during a training exercise in regional Victoria.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has filed two charges in the Melbourne Magistrates Court following an investigation by Comcare.

It is alleged the department failed in its duties under the federal Work Health and Safety Act.

The incident happened at the Puckapunyal training area, near Seymour in central Victoria, during a training exercise on the night of July 4 in 2016.