Australian Energy Regulator

The Australian Energy Regulator regulates the electricity and gas industries, setting prices for using energy networks (electricity poles and wires and gas pipelines) to transport energy, and monitoring the wholesale electricity and gas markets to ensure suppliers comply with the National Electricity Law and Rules and the National Gas Law and Rules. The AER also regulates and monitors retail energy markets and enforces the National Energy Retail Law and the National Energy Retail Rules in SA, NSW, ACT and Tasmania. The AER Board has five members appointed by the Governor-General: two Commonwealth member, who must also be a member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), and three State and/or Territory members (sections 44AM-44AS of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010). The AER has an independent Board, with its staff, resources and facilities provided by the ACCC.