NSW Government
NSW Climate and Energy Action

NSW Electrical and Gas Safety Review

Take part in the Electrical and Gas Safety Review consultation

Transmission tower
 

Take part in the Electrical and Gas Safety Review consultation  

Project overview

Energy safety is paramount to the well-being of NSW communities. A robust and adaptable regulatory framework is essential to maintaining this safety, particularly in the context of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

The review will consider the adequacy of the existing safety framework and organisational structures in NSW to maintain safety of consumers, workers and the public. It will have a particular focus on the capacity of the framework to adapt to the increasing complexities of the energy sector and changing consumer energy needs and expectations.

How to participate

There will be a range of opportunities to engage with the review, including targeted consultations, and submissions on a consultation paper and a draft report.

Timeline

  1. September 2024

    NSW Government announced the review as part of the Consumer Energy Strategy

  2. July 2025

    Feedback received on the draft terms of reference

  3. November 2025

    Terms of reference finalised

  4. February 2026

    Consultation paper open for responses. Have your say here until 2 March 2026. 

  5. June 2026

    Draft report following public consultation

  6. October 2026

    The final report with recommendations will be presented to the Minister for Energy and the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading

Purpose of the review

Currently, electrical and gas safety and compliance responsibilities in NSW are split across multiple regulators including:

  • Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
  • Independent Pricing and Regulator Authority (IPART)
  • NSW Fair Trading
  • Building Commission NSW 
  • Safe Work NSW.  

Metering, installation and product standards are also fragmented across states, territories and the Australian Government. 

The NSW Electrical and Gas Safety Review will: 

  1. Consider the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework.
  2. Review the organisational and governance arrangements for safety in NSW.
  3. Assess whether the regulatory framework is:
    1. keeping pace with the energy transition 
    2. meeting the changing needs of energy customers
  4. Examine the adequacy of the current framework and make recommendations to improve governance, obligations and broader safety arrangements.
Terms of reference

The Terms of Reference for the NSW Electrical and Gas Safety Review are designed to:

  • Protect safety: Ensure the safety of consumers, workers and the public across all areas of the energy sector in NSW.
  • Promote efficiency: Reduce duplication and improve coordination to ensure efficient use of public resources and value for money.
  • Enable future readiness: Ensure the framework is adaptable and fit for purpose given the changing energy landscape. 

Related documents