What does AER mean in AUSTRALIAN

The purpose of an energy regulator is to regulate activities related to the production, transmission, distribution, storage and sale of electricity, natural gas and other forms of energy. This includes overseeing the safety and reliability of the energy system, safeguarding consumer protection and fair prices for supplies.

An energy regulator serves consumers primarily by ensuring adequate supplies at reasonable prices in line with public policy goals. Regulators also serve producers of energy by creating level playing fields across different market players.

The functions of an energy regulator include setting tariffs for utilities services such as power and gas; providing licenses to operate in the sector; monitoring market performance; protecting consumer rights; establishing safety standards; mediating disputes among stakeholders such as suppliers and customers; promoting competition in the market; preventing anti-competitive practices; promoting sustainable use of resources and pollution control measures.

You can find information about your local regulator online or through your local government office. You can also contact them directly through their website or over the phone or mail.

Yes, there is a Global Forum on Competition (GFC), which was established as a collective response from 139 regulatory bodies around the world in 2019 with a mandate to promote consistency between countries in terms implementation of competition law principles across all industries including utilities like electricity and gas.