The Commission’s responsibilities include:
- licensing distributors responsible for electricity and natural gas networks, under the Utilities Act 2000
- monitoring utility compliance with licence conditions and other regulatory obligations
- determining industry codes under the Utilities Act 2000
- determining regulatory costs to be recovered under the energy industry levy under Part 3A of the Utilities Act 2000
- determining, when requested by the ACT Government, electricity prices under the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997.
Under the National Energy Customer Framework, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is responsible for the authorisation of electricity and gas retailers. The regulation of energy consumer protection is generally administered by the AER under the National Energy Retail Law, however retailers must adhere to industry codes, such as the Consumer Protection Code that have been determined by the Commission. The AER also regulates energy distribution network access and pricing. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is responsible for coordinating the dispatch of electricity across the national electricity market. More information on AEMO is available on AEMO’s website www.aemo.com.au.
More information about the role of the AER in regulating the National Energy Customer Framework is available on their website www.aer.gov.au. The AER also hosts an energy price comparator website, Energy Made Easy.