The Commission’s regulation of utilities in the ACT is provided for under a number of different Acts which are outlined below:
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997
This Act establishes the Independent Competition & Regulatory Commission. The Commission’s functions under this Act include:
- the regulation of prices of utility services
- access and other matters in relation to industries involving the provision of water, electricity and sewerage services, and other industries; and
- to investigate competitive neutrality complaints and government-regulated activities.
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997
Utilities Act 2000
This Act regulates the provision of utility services in the ACT and aims to protect and enhance the interests of the ACT community as consumers of utility services. It sets up the licensing system, of which the Commission is regulator, the energy industry levy administered by the Commission’s CEO and provides for industry and technical regulation by the ICRC and the Technical Regulator.
Electricity Feed-in (Renewable Energy Premium) Act 2008
This Act provides the mechanisms required to encourage the uptake of renewable energy electricity generation through the supply of electricity from solar and other renewable energy sources to electricity distributors. The Commission is involved in the regulation of the connection of small renewable energy generators to electricity distribution networks.
Electricity Feed-in (Renewable Energy Premium) Act 2008
National Energy Retail Law (ACT) Act 2012
This Act picks up Schedule 1 of the National Energy Retail Law (SA) Act 2012 and applies it as a law of the ACT. The NERL implements the National Energy Customer Framework and places the responsibility for regulating energy retailers with the Australian Energy Regulator. The NERL and the associated National Energy Retail Rules have provisions applicable to energy distributors and these apply to utilities licensed to provide distribution and connection services in the ACT.
National Energy Retail Law (ACT) Act 2012
Electricity (National Scheme) Act 1997
This Act applies the National Electricity law (Schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 2008) as a law of the ACT. The National Electricity Regulations are also applied under the National Electricity (ACT) Law.
Electricity (National Scheme) Act 1997
National Gas (ACT) Act 2008
This Act applies the National Gas Law (schedule to the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008) as a law of the ACT. The National Gas Regulations are also applied by the National Gas (ACT) Law.
The commission will determine a price direction for standing offer electricity prices for small customers from 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2027. On 1 June 2023, we received terms of reference to investigate and determine a price direction for the supply of electricity to small customers. You can follow the investigation on our website and get involved via submissions, surveys and public hearings throughout the investigation.
Regulated Water and Sewerage Services Prices 2023–28
On 28 May 2019, the Commission received a terms of reference from the Treasurer to determine a price direction for standing offer prices for the supply of electricity to small customers who consume less than 100 MWh of electricity over any period of 12 consecutive months. The price direction will be for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024.