Australian Gas Networks regulatory framework review 2026-2031
- Project Released: 4 Mar 2024
- Project Closes: Feb 2025
- Contact: Rowan McKeown
Overview
The Commission is undertaking a review of the regulatory instruments that apply to Australian Gas Networks (AGN). This includes: AGN’s gas distribution licence, the Gas Distribution Code GDC/07 (Gas Distribution Code), Gas Metering Code GMC/05 (Gas Metering Code), and Gas Industry Guideline No. 1 GIG 1.8 (Gas Industry Guideline No. 1).
Status
Current status is Final
- Initiate
- Submissions
- Draft
- Submissions
- Final
Final
The Commission has made a Final Decision on the protections that AGN must deliver for South Australian consumers between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2031.
The Final Decision is to:
- Extend the application of the AGN Gas Distribution Licence so it also applies to distribution of hydrogen and other renewable gases
- Continue monitoring network reliability and create service standards if required
- Require that AGN reports directly to the public on aspects of its operational performance
- Begin monitoring the timely provision of disconnection and abolishment services
- Ensure that consumers receive information about how to disconnect from the gas network
- Ensure that customers are notified about when customer-requested disconnection services will be provided, and when they have been delivered
- Require AGN to seek the Commission’s approval if it proposes to disable any part of the gas distribution network in the future
- Create specific timeframes for reconnecting customers after de-energisation where AGN is obliged to do so by the National Energy Retail Rules
- Ensure that customers are provided with notice before a different meter (like a digital smart meter) is installed and are provided with information about the impact of that change, and
- Make a series of changes to the Gas Metering Code to improve consistency with other regulatory instruments, provide for changes in the composition of gas and accommodate possible expanded use of digital meters.
Revised versions of the AGN Distribution Licence, Guideline no 1, Gas Distribution Code and Gas Metering Code are published alongside the Final Decision.
The Commission received ten submissions to its August 2024 Draft decision and 41 responses to its YourSAy survey. The Commission thanks those who made submissions and provided evidence and comment to the review, all of which have been carefully considered and have informed the Final Decision.