The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published its draft decision to make a greenfields incentive determination for the proposed Bulloo Interlink Pipeline (Bulloo Interlink) for 10 years. Pipelines that receive greenfields incentive determinations cannot be subject to full scheme regulation while the determination is in effect.
This draft decision aims to balance the need for efficient investment in gas pipeline infrastructure with the potential risk of the exercise of market power on the Bulloo Interlink if it is exempt from scheme regulation.
Our draft decision is to set a shorter operative period of 10 years, rather than the full 15-year period allowed under the National Gas Law sought by APA Group in its greenfields incentive application.
Invitation for submissions
We encourage and invite stakeholders to provide submissions on our draft decision so these can be considered as we make our final decision.
Written submissions or requests to make a submission via alternative methods should be emailed by 5pm AEDT, Tuesday 25 November 2025 to GasPipelineExemptions
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (GasPipelineExemptions[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au).
If you wish to make a submission but are unable to do so by the due date, please contact us at the above email address to discuss further options.
The AER prefers that all submission be sent in an electronic format and made publicly available, to facilitate and informed, transparent and robust consultation process.
We understand that some stakeholders may wish to provide their views on a confidential basis. If you prefer to provide your views via a call with representatives from the AER team or in a confidential submission, please email us to discuss further. The ACCC/AER Privacy Policy can be accessed here.
We currently aim to make and publish our final decision in December 2025.
Background
Greenfields incentive determinations
Under the National Gas Law and National Gas Rules, all gas pipelines in Australia (excluding Western Australia) are regulated as either:
- scheme pipelines: subject to a stronger form of regulation, which includes price regulation by the AER through access arrangements (full regulation), or
- non-scheme pipelines: subject to a lighter form of regulation.
In 2023, the AER gained powers to make greenfields incentive determinations (excluding in Western Australia).
While all pipelines are subject to non-scheme regulation from commissioning, these determinations prevent the form of regulation being changed for a pipeline while the determination is in place. Determinations can have a maximum duration of 15 years.
Proponents of greenfields pipeline projects may apply to the AER for a greenfields incentive determination before a pipeline is commissioned.
More information on the AER’s powers to make a greenfields incentive determination can be found in the AER’s Pipeline Regulatory Determinations and Elections Guide.
Bulloo Interlink
The Bulloo Interlink is planned to connect the South West Queensland Pipeline and the Moomba to Sydney Pipeline to transport gas from Queensland and the Northern Territory to New South Wales and Victoria.
APA Bulloo Interlink Pipeline Pty Ltd (a wholly owned entity of APA Group) submitted its greenfields incentive determination application to the AER for its proposed Bulloo Interlink on 23 May 2025 and provided a revised application on 9 July 2025.