The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published a mid-year report into its compliance and enforcement activities from 1 July to 31 December 2025.
Over the last six months, the AER’s compliance and enforcement outcomes included more than $1.3 million in court ordered and infringement notice penalties.
Key updates, actions, and outcomes under the AER’s compliance and enforcement priorities during this period include:
- The Federal Court ordered CAM Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd to pay a penalty of $250,000 for failing to become a member of the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW scheme in breach of the National Energy Retail Law.
- The AER received payments totalling $1.089 million from Alinta Energy Retail Sales Pty Ltd for 15 infringement notices issued for allegedly overcharging Centrepay customers and failing to refund and inform them within the required timeframe under the National Energy Retail Rules (Retail Rules).
- The AER continued proceedings in the Federal Court after subsidiaries of AGL Energy (together, AGL) appealed against the Court’s findings that it pay penalties totalling $25 million for failing to comply with their overcharging obligations under the Retail Rules related to Centrepay payments.
- The AER instituted proceedings against four Origin Energy subsidiaries (together, Origin) for alleged failures to comply with overcharging obligations under the Retail Rules related to Centrepay payments.
- The AER instituted proceedings against Electricity Transmission Ministerial Holding Corporation Limited (Transgrid) for alleged breaches of the National Electricity Rules following a significant weather event in Broken Hill and surrounding areas in October 2024 that resulted in loss of electricity supply to approximately 12,700 properties in the region. The AER also alleges that Transgrid failed to institute and maintain a compliance program for its two back-up generators.
The report also outlines other compliance and enforcement actions taken and outcomes achieved by the AER in support of its strategic objectives, including acting where there are serious issues impacting consumers experiencing vulnerability and progressing important ongoing work in the wholesale electricity and gas markets.
Background
The AER is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with national energy laws and rules. 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 their associated Rules and Regulations. The policy, which provides guidance on how we respond to potential breaches and the factors we may have regard to when deciding whether to take enforcement action, should be read in conjunction with our compliance and enforcement priorities.