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Energy regulators and peak bodies
A number of industry bodies, regulators and market institutions operate in the Queensland energy market.
The activities of participants in the national and Queensland energy markets are overseen by both national policy bodies and market institutions with powers under national laws and rules, and Queensland bodies that oversee aspects of the regulatory framework that are not part of the national energy regimes.
This guide provides an overview of regulators and peak bodies for the Queensland energy industry.
National regulators, market institutions and other bodies
National Cabinet and National Federation Reform Council
The National Cabinet is a forum for the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers to meet and work collaboratively.
The National Cabinet was established on 13 March 2020 and is chaired by the Prime Minister. The National Cabinet operates according to guiding principles set out in the Commonwealth Cabinet Handbook. The Commonwealth and state and territory governments individually remain responsible for the implementation of decisions arising from the National Cabinet in their jurisdiction.
Prior to the establishment of National Cabinet, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) was the primary intergovernmental forum where the Prime Minister, state and territory First Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) worked together on policy reforms of national significance. On 29 May 2020, National Cabinet agreed to the cessation of COAG.
Ministerial Council on Energy (Energy Ministers)
The Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) was established by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2001 to deliver the economic and environmental benefits for Australia from implementation of the COAG national energy policy framework.
The current form of the MCE is the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council and its separate Energy Ministers Sub-Group (EMSG) – Ministerial forums for the Commonwealth, Australian states and territories, and New Zealand to work together on key reforms in the energy and climate change sectors.
Energy Ministers provide:
- national oversight and coordination of policy development to address the opportunities and challenges facing Australia's energy sector into the future
- national leadership so that consideration of broader convergence issues and environmental impacts are effectively integrated into energy sector decision making.
The Australian Energy Market Agreement underpins the governance and institutional arrangements for the national electricity and gas markets. Information regarding the national legislation that establishes the rules and regulations for how the markets operate is available on the Australian Government website.
Australian Energy Market Operator
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) was established in 2009 and is responsible for the day to day operation and administration of the wholesale National Electricity Market, the wholesale gas market in Victoria and gas short-term trading markets in South Australia and New South Wales and retail gas markets in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia.
AEMO also undertakes a range of other functions, including:
- preparation of an annual statement of opportunities for the National Electricity Market and gas markets across Australia
- preparation of the Integrated System plan
- operation of the gas trading markets and the gas market Bulletin Board.
Learn more on from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
Australian Energy Regulator
The Australian Energy Regulator, which was established in 2005 and is part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, is responsible for economic regulation of electricity and gas transmission and distribution and monitoring and enforcement of compliance at a national level with National Energy Market legislation (such as the National Electricity and Gas Laws).
More information is available from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
Australian Energy Market Commission
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), which was established in 2005, is the national rule-making and market development body for the national energy markets.
The AEMC conducts reviews of matters under the national energy legislation either following a direction from Energy Ministers or on its own initiative, including reviewing the effectiveness of competition in energy markets. The AEMC's rule-making role involves managing the rule change process, and consulting and deciding on rule changes proposed by others, including the Energy Ministers.
The AEMC also includes 2 panels:
- the national Consumer Advocacy Panel
- the Reliability Panel.
Learn more from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC).
Australian Competition Tribunal
The Australian Competition Tribunal is a review body established under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth). A review by the tribunal is a re-hearing or a re-consideration of a matter (albeit on limited material for some reviews). The tribunal may perform all the functions and exercise all the powers of the original decision-maker for the purposes of review. It can affirm, set aside or vary the original decision.
The tribunal's key role in the energy sector is to undertake, on application, judicial reviews of decisions made by the Australian Energy Regulator.
More information is available from the Australian Competition Tribunal.
Queensland regulators, market institutions and other bodies
Queensland Competition Authority
The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has responsibility for the following matters:
- calculation and publishing of notified electricity prices under a delegation from the Minister administering the Electricity Act 1994
- administration and enforcement of industry codes made under the Electricity Act and Gas Supply Act 2003, including reporting on specified matters relating to the performance of energy retailers, distributors and the Queensland retail market
- periodic reviews of electricity distribution minimum service standards and guaranteed service levels in the Electricity Industry Code
- at the request of the Minister, other specified reviews.
More information is available on the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) website.
Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland
The Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ) was established in 2007 as a free and independent dispute resolution service for Queensland's small energy consumers (those using less than 160 megawatt-hours of electricity or 1 terajoule of gas per year). EWOQ provides an effective, high-quality, fair and confidential service for domestic and small business energy consumers who have been unable to resolve a problem with their electricity or reticulated natural gas supplier. EWOQ's energy dispute resolution role is funded by energy retailers and distributors and has offices in Brisbane, Cairns and Rockhampton.
More information is available on the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ) website.
Queensland Government
Minister
The Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen has responsibilities under the Electricity Act and the Gas Supply Act including in relation to:
- retail pricing
- management of supply shortfalls.
In addition, along with the Treasurer, the Minister is a shareholding minister of each of the Queensland energy government-owned corporations under the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993.
A number of other Queensland Government officers or organisations have key roles in overseeing the energy sector, including:
Department of Energy and Public Works
Many of the matters governed by the Electricity Act and Electricity Regulation 2006 are statutory functions of the regulator, who for the purposes of those Acts is the Director-General, Department of Energy and Public Works. The department administers many of these matters, including the statutory functions of the regulator. The 'regulator' under the Electricity Act and Gas Supply Act undertakes licensing and compliance roles.
Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate
The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate is responsible for regulating and monitoring safety in the gas and petroleum industries.
The inspectorate regulates naturally produced petroleum and natural gas, fuel gases such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas and related products, and sewage and other bio-gases. It does not cover acetylene, ammonia, petrol, diesel and other refined gases or products.
Industries regulated by the inspectorate include petroleum exploration and production, petroleum pipelines, gas distribution (including reticulation and gas cylinders), automotive LPG, gas users (from power stations to pottery kilns) and licensing the installation and servicing of domestic, commercial and industrial gas devices.
Electrical Safety Office
Electrical safety matters, including licensing of electrical workers and contractors, are dealt with under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and are administered by the Electrical Safety Office.
Phone the Electrical Safety Office on 1300 362 128 or visit Queensland's work health, safety and workers' compensation services website for more information.
Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) aims to deliver a fair and safe marketplace for Queensland businesses. As a business in the energy sector, it is important you understand your obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) to ensure your business practices do not cause detriment to your customers.
Energy customers who have a dispute with their energy retailer can lodge a complaint with OFT if the complaint relates to the retailer going into liquidation or receivership.
Energy customers can also lodge a complaint with OFT if they have:
- faulty solar panels
- been mislead about the electricity generation capability of a solar system that has been installed
- paid for a solar system and not received it within a reasonable period of time.
Also consider...
- Learn more about Queensland gas legislation.
- Learn more about Queensland electricity legislation.
Energy industry peak bodies
Energy industry peak bodies exist to provide assistance and representation to those within the industry.
Energy Users Association of Australia
Activities cover national and state issues impacting energy users, dealing with electricity and gas, as well as climate change and energy efficiency.
Energy Networks Australia
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) is the peak national body representing gas and electricity network businesses throughout Australia. All of Australia's electricity and gas network companies are members of ENA, providing governments, policy-makers and the community with a single point of reference for major energy network issues.
Australian Pipeline and Gas Association
The Australian Pipeline and Gas Association (APGA) is internationally unique, as the members come from all sectors of the transmission pipeline industry, and all have an important role to play in the safe and efficient operation of the transportation systems for gas, slurry, oil, water and other liquids.
APGA is committed to providing high-quality services to all members, through the many networking events around the nation, through representing the industry to government on a range of issues and highlighting the industry's commitment to safe and efficient energy transportation.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021