The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today published its determination on APA’s Roma to Brisbane Pipeline cost pass through application to recover costs related to a material increase in the Queensland Government’s Annual Fee for National Energy Market Regulation for 2025-26.
The AER has determined that the increase in the 2025-26 Annual Fee for National Energy Market Regulation met the definition of a tax change event, and that APA incurred materially higher costs as a result.
The AER’s decision is to approve a cost pass through amount of $1.28 million ($2026-27). This will allow APA to recover these incremental costs in the 2026-27 regulatory year through an increase in reference tariffs.
Background
The Queensland Government’s Annual Fee for National Energy Market Regulation charged to APT Petroleum Pipelines Pty Limited (part of the APA Group) as provider of regulated pipeline services on the Roma to Brisbane Pipeline materially increased in 2025-26.
Under the National Gas Rules and the Roma to Brisbane Pipeline 2022-27 Access Arrangement, the AER is required to assess cost pass through applications in relation to tax change events. The AER’s role is to determine whether a tax change event occurred, and if so to determine the amount of costs that should be passed through, to ensure consumers pay no more than necessary.