On 30 May 2025, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) published its final decision to revoke an exemption granted to APT Pipelines (NT) Pty Ltd (APTNT) from ring-fencing requirements at their request. The revocation takes effect from 30 May 2025. Consequently, APTNT is required to comply with the ring-fencing requirements under section 140 of the National Gas Law (NGL). It can no longer share marketing staff with any related business.
In August 2011, the AER exempted APTNT from its ring-fencing obligations under section 140 of the NGL. This exemption from ring fencing requirements was a continuation of a notice issued in March 2002 by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission waiving the requirement for NT Gas Pty Ltd to meet its ring-fencing requirements.
On 14 November 2024, APTNT applied to revoke its exemption. Its subsidiary, NT Gas Distribution Pty Ltd was no longer taking part in a related business from 31 December 2024.
As APTNT no longer requires an exemption from section 140 of the National Gas Law, there are no associated costs of compliance with that provision and therefore we consider that it no longer meets the exemption criterion.
Background
Service providers may apply to the AER for an exemption from the ring-fencing provisions under rule 34 of the National Gas Rules.
Learn more about ring-fencing
The AER has published a Compliance bulletin – new obligations on gas pipeline, compression and storage service providers and a Gas ring-fencing decision guide.