The Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) mid-year compliance and enforcement update highlights energy businesses paid $1.89 million in penalties between July and December 2021.
Key actions and outcomes delivered in the first half of the financial year include:
- $1.65 million in civil penalties following successful litigation outcomes
- $240,000 in penalties paid in response to 12 infringement notices
- 5 compliance audits
- guidance published on how to comply with new life support registration obligations
The AER continues to act on its annual compliance and enforcement priorities and its enforcement of national energy laws.
Background
The AER is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with national energy laws and rules and taking action when they are breached. The AER Compliance & Enforcement Policy explains our approach to promoting compliance with obligations under the National Electricity Law, National Gas Law, National Energy Retail Law and the respective Rules and Regulations. The policy also provides guidance on how we respond to potential breaches and the factors we may have regard to when deciding whether to take enforcement action, and should be read in conjunction with our compliance and enforcement priorities.