{"id":"energy-safe-victoria-act-2005","name":"Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005","slug":"energy-safe-victoria-act-2005","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176338,"registerId":"vic-energy-safe-victoria-act-2005-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005","content":"Version No. 015\n\n**Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005**\n\n**No. 39 of 2005**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n21 May 2025\n\n**table of provisions**\n\n*Section Page*\n\nPart 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Purposes 1\n\n2 Commencement 1\n\n3 Definitions 2\n\nPart 2—Victorian Energy Safety Commission 3\n\nDivision 1—Establishment, powers and functions 3\n\n4 Establishment of the Victorian Energy Safety Commission 3\n\n4A Official seal 3\n\n5 Objectives of Energy Safe Victoria 4\n\n6 Functions 4\n\n7 Powers 4\n\n7A Provision of information and assistance by Energy Safe Victoria to the AER 5\n\n7B Use and disclosure of information by Energy Safe Victoria under Part 4 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 6\n\n8 Committees 7\n\n9 Appointment of persons to assist Energy Safe Victoria 7\n\n9A Functions, duties and powers of employees of Energy Safe Victoria under Commonwealth laws 8\n\n10 Delegation 8\n\nDivision 1A—Constitution 9\n\n10A Constitution of Energy Safe Victoria 9\n\n10B Appointment of Commissioners 9\n\n10C Duration of appointment as Commissioner 10\n\n10D Terms and conditions of appointment as Commissioner 10\n\n10E Appointment of Chairperson 10\n\n10F Appointment of Deputy Chairperson 10\n\n10G Vacancies and removal 11\n\n10H Acting arrangements 12\n\n10I Validity of acts and decisions 13\n\n10J Commissioners protected from liability 13\n\nDivision 1B—Procedure 14\n\n10K Meetings 14\n\n10L Resolutions without meetings 15\n\n10M Pecuniary interests of Commissioners 16\n\nDivision 2—Chief Executive Officer 17\n\n11 Appointment of Chief Executive Officer 17\n\n12 Function of Chief Executive Officer 17\n\n13 Duration of appointment as Chief Executive Officer 17\n\n14 Terms and conditions of appointment as Chief Executive Officer 18\n\n15 Acting Chief Executive Officer 18\n\n16 Validity of acts and decisions by Chief Executive Officer 19\n\n17 Pecuniary interests of Chief Executive Officer 19\n\n18 Protection from liability—Chief Executive Officer 20\n\nDivision 3—Corporate plan 20\n\n19 Corporate plan 20\n\n20 Statement of corporate intent: contents 22\n\n21 Energy Safe Victoria to act in accordance with corporate plan 23\n\n21A Annual updates to corporate plans 23\n\n22 Nothing void merely because of non-compliance 24\n\nDivision 3A—Technical Advisory Committee 24\n\n22A Minister must establish Technical Advisory Committee 24\n\n22B Constitution of Technical Advisory Committee 24\n\n22C Function of Technical Advisory Committee 25\n\n22D Appointment of members of Technical Advisory Committee 25\n\n22E Duration of appointment as committee member 26\n\n22F Terms and conditions of appointment as committee member 26\n\nDivision 3B—Direction by the Minister 26\n\n22G Minister may give directions to Energy Safe Victoria 26\n\n22H Publication of directions 27\n\n22I Directions to be summarised in annual report 27\n\nDivision 4—Financial provisions 27\n\n23 Borrowing and investment by Energy Safe Victoria 27\n\n24 General Account 28\n\nDivision 5—Confidentiality 28\n\n25 Improper use of information 28\n\nDivision 5A—Other matters 30\n\n25A Energy Safe Victoria must publish Charter 30\n\n25B Memoranda of Understanding 30\n\nPart 3—Inquiries and reports 32\n\n26 Inquiry by Energy Safe Victoria 32\n\n27 Minister may refer matter for inquiry 32\n\n28 Notice of inquiry 33\n\n29 Conduct of inquiry 34\n\n30 Powers relating to inquiries 34\n\n31 Reports 36\n\n32 Special reports 37\n\nPart 4—General 38\n\n33 Regulations 38\n\nPart 5—Transitional provisions 39\n\nDivision 1—Introductory 39\n\n34 Definitions 39\n\nDivision 2—Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector 39\n\n35 Abolition of OCEI 39\n\n36 Staff 40\n\n37 Superseded references to OCEI 41\n\n38 Superseded references to chief electrical inspector 41\n\nDivision 3—Office of Gas Safety 42\n\n39 Abolition of OGS 42\n\n40 Staff 43\n\n41 Superseded references to OGS 44\n\n42 Superseded references to Director of Gas Safety 44\n\nPart 6—Transitional provisions—Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020 46\n\n44 Definitions 46\n\n45 Abolition of old body 47\n\n46 Abolition of office of Director of Energy Safe Victoria 47\n\n47 Superseded references 47\n\n48 Staff 48\n\n49 Outstanding statements and reports under Financial Management Act 1994 48\n\n50 First new statements and reports under Financial Management Act 1994 50\n\nPart 7—Transitional provisions—Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025 51\n\n51 Transitional provisions—Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025 51\n\nEndnotes 52\n\n1 General information 52\n\n2 Table of Amendments 54\n\n3 Explanatory details 56\n\n**Version No.** **015**\n\n**Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005**\n\n**No. 39 of 2005**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n21 May 2025\n\n**The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:**\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Purposes\n\nThe purposes of this Act are—\n\nS. 1(a) amended by No. 4/2020 s. 20.\n\n(a) to establish the Victorian Energy Safety Commission (which is also to be known as Energy Safe Victoria); and\n\n(b) to abolish the Office of Gas Safety and the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector; and\n\n(c) to make consequential amendments to the **Gas Safety Act 1997** and the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** and other Acts.\n\n\t2 Commencement\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (3), this Act (except section 59) comes into operation on a day to be proclaimed.\n\n(2) Section 59 is deemed to have come into operation on 23 November 2004.\n\n(3) If a provision of this Act does not come into operation before 30 December 2005, it comes into operation on that day.\n\nS. 3 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 21.\n\n\t3 Definitions\n\nIn this Act—\n\n***Chairperson*** means the Commissioner appointed as Chairperson of Energy Safe Victoria under section 10E;\n\n***Chief Executive Officer*** means the Chief Executive Officer of Energy Safe Victoria appointed under section 11;\n\n***Commissioner*** means a person appointed as a Commissioner of Energy Safe Victoria under section 10B;\n\n***Deputy Chairperson*** means the Commissioner appointed as Deputy Chairperson of Energy Safe Victoria under section 10F;\n\n***Energy Safe Victoria*** means the Victorian Energy Safety Commission established by section 4;\n\n***Technical Advisory Committee*** means the Committee established under section 22A.\n\nPt 2 (Heading) substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 22.\n\nPart 2—Victorian Energy Safety Commission\n\nDivision 1—Establishment, powers and functions\n\nS. 4 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 23.\n\n\t4 Establishment of the Victorian Energy Safety Commission\n\n(1) The Victorian Energy Safety Commission is established.\n\n(2) The Victorian Energy Safety Commission—\n\n(a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and\n\n(b) has an official seal; and\n\n(c) may sue and be sued; and\n\n(d) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and\n\n(e) may do and suffer all acts and things that a body corporate may by law do and suffer; and\n\n(f) is also to be known as Energy Safe Victoria; and\n\n(g) may be referred to as Energy Safe Victoria for any purpose.\n\nS. 4A inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 23.\n\n\t4A Official seal\n\n(1) The official seal of Energy Safe Victoria—\n\n(a) must be kept in custody as directed by Energy Safe Victoria; and\n\n(b) must not be used except as authorised by Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(2) All courts must take judicial notice of the seal of Energy Safe Victoria affixed to a document and, until the contrary is proved, must presume that it was duly affixed.\n\n\t5 Objectives of Energy Safe Victoria\n\nThe objectives of Energy Safe Victoria are to perform its functions and exercise its powers in such a manner as it considers best achieves the objectives of Energy Safe Victoria specified in the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** and the **Gas Safety Act 1997** and any other Act.\n\n\t6 Functions\n\nThe functions of Energy Safe Victoria are those conferred on it by—\n\n(a) this Act and the regulations under this Act; and\n\n(b) the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** and the regulations under that Act; and\n\n(c) the **Gas Safety Act 1997** and the regulations under that Act; and\n\n(d) any other Act or the regulations made under any other Act.\n\n\t7 Powers\n\nFor the purpose of performing its functions, Energy Safe Victoria—\n\n(a) has such powers as are conferred on it by this Act or any other Act or the regulations under this Act or any other Act; and\n\n(b) may do all other things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with, or as incidental to, the achievement of its objectives or the performance of its functions.\n\nS. 7A inserted by No. 35/2013 s. 13.\n\n\t7A Provision of information and assistance by Energy Safe Victoria to the AER\n\n(1) Despite any other Act or law (other than the **Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006**), Energy Safe Victoria is authorised, on its own initiative or at the request of the AER, to provide the AER with such information (including information given in confidence) in the possession or control of Energy Safe Victoria that is reasonably required by the AER to perform a function or duty or exercise a power under the National Electricity (Victoria) Law or the National Gas (Victoria) Law.\n\n(2) Nothing done, or authorised to be done, by Energy Safe Victoria in acting under subsection (1)—\n\n(a) constitutes a breach of, or default under, an Act or other law; or\n\n(b) constitutes a breach of, or default under, a contract, agreement, understanding or undertaking; or\n\n(c) constitutes a breach of a duty of confidence (whether arising by contract, in equity, by custom or in any other way); or\n\n(d) constitutes a civil or criminal wrong; or\n\n(e) terminates an agreement or obligation or fulfils any condition that allows a person to terminate an agreement or obligation or gives rise to any other right or remedy; or\n\n(f) releases a surety or any other obligee wholly or in part from an obligation.\n\n(3) In this section, ***AER*** means the Australian Energy Regulator established by section 44AE of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 of the Commonwealth.\n\nS. 7B inserted by No. 43/2018 s. 17.\n\n\t7B Use and disclosure of information by Energy Safe Victoria under Part 4 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998\n\n(1) Despite any other Act or law (other than the **Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006**), Energy Safe Victoria is authorised, on its own initiative or at the request of a regulatory authority, to disclose information to a regulatory authority obtained in the course of carrying out a function under Part 4 of the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** if—\n\n(a) the disclosure is reasonably necessary to enable the regulatory authority to perform a function under a corresponding law; or\n\n(b) the disclosure is authorised by the person to whom the information relates.\n\n(2) Nothing done, or authorised to be done, by Energy Safe Victoria in acting under subsection (1)—\n\n(a) constitutes a contravention of, or default under, an Act or other law; or\n\n(b) constitutes a contravention of, or default under, a contract, agreement, understanding or undertaking; or\n\n(c) constitutes a contravention of a duty of confidence (whether arising by contract, in equity, by custom or in any other way); or\n\n(d) constitutes a civil or criminal wrong; or\n\n(e) terminates an agreement or obligation or fulfils any condition that allows a person to terminate an agreement or obligation or gives rise to any other right or remedy; or\n\n(f) releases a surety or any other obligee wholly or in part from an obligation.\n\n(3) In this section—\n\n***corresponding law*** has the same meaning as in section 50 of the **Electricity Safety Act** **1998**;\n\n***regulatory authority*** has the same meaning as in section 50 of the **Electricity Safety Act** **1998**.\n\n\t8 Committees\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria may establish such committees as it determines.\n\n(2) A committee established under subsection (1) is to consist of—\n\n(a) such employees of Energy Safe Victoria; and\n\n(b) such other persons—\n\nas Energy Safe Victoria determines.\n\n(3) Energy Safe Victoria must appoint one of the members of the committee as chairperson.\n\n(4) Except as otherwise provided by the regulations, the procedure of a committee is in its discretion.\n\n\t9 Appointment of persons to assist Energy Safe Victoria\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria may appoint or engage such employees or other persons as are necessary for the performance of its functions.\n\n(2) The terms and conditions of appointment or engagement are as determined by Energy Safe Victoria.\n\nS. 9A inserted by No. 51/2012 s. 12.\n\n\t9A Functions, duties and powers of employees of Energy Safe Victoria under Commonwealth laws\n\nSubject to the approval of the Minister and any conditions on that approval, an employee of Energy Safe Victoria may perform a function or duty, or exercise a power, under a law of the Commonwealth—\n\n(a) related to the promotion of the development and adoption of products that—\n\n(i) use less energy; or\n\n(ii) produce fewer greenhouse gases; or\n\n(iii) contribute to reducing the amount of energy used, or greenhouse gases produced, by other products; and\n\n(b) that is specified in the approval.\n\nS. 10 amended by No. 4/2020 s. 24(2) (ILA s. 39B(1)).\n\n\t10 Delegation\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria may, by instrument under its official seal, delegate any function or power of Energy Safe Victoria, other than this power of delegation, to—\n\nS. 10(1)(a) substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 24(1).\n\n(a) a Commissioner;\n\nS. 10(1)(ab) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 24(1).\n\n(ab) the Chief Executive Officer;\n\nS. 10(1)(ac) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 24(1).\n\n(ac) an employee of Energy Safe Victoria;\n\n(b) a member of a committee appointed in accordance with this Part;\n\n(c) with the consent of the Minister, another person.\n\nS. 10(2) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 24(2).\n\n(2) The Chairperson may, by instrument, delegate any function or power of the Chairperson, other than this power of delegation, to—\n\n(a) another Commissioner;\n\n(b) the Chief Executive Officer;\n\n(c) with the consent of the Minister, an employee of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\nPt 2 Div. 1A (Heading and ss 10A–10J) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\nDivision 1A—Constitution\n\nS. 10A inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10A Constitution of Energy Safe Victoria\n\nEnergy Safe Victoria consists of—\n\n(a) a Commissioner appointed as Chairperson; and\n\n(b) a Commissioner appointed as Deputy Chairperson; and\n\n(c) an additional Commissioner.\n\nS. 10B inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10B Appointment of Commissioners\n\n(1) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may appoint a person (other than the Chief Executive Officer) as a Commissioner.\n\n(2) In recommending a person for appointment as a Commissioner, the Minister must seek to ensure that collectively the Commissioners have skills, qualifications, knowledge and experience in the fields of—\n\n(a) regulation; and\n\n(b) economics; and\n\n(c) law; and\n\n(d) community safety.\n\nS. 10C inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10C Duration of appointment as Commissioner\n\nA Commissioner—\n\n(a) holds office for a term, not exceeding 5 years, specified in the instrument of appointment; and\n\n(b) is not eligible to be appointed for more than 2 terms.\n\nS. 10D inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10D Terms and conditions of appointment as Commissioner\n\n(1) A Commissioner is appointed on the terms and conditions that are specified in the instrument of appointment.\n\n(2) The instrument of appointment must specify—\n\n(a) the remuneration and allowances of the Commissioner; and\n\n(b) whether the Commissioner is appointed on a full-time or part-time basis.\n\nS. 10E inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\nS. 10F inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10E Appointment of Chairperson\n\nThe Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may appoint a Commissioner as Chairperson of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n\t10F Appointment of Deputy Chairperson\n\nThe Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may appoint a Commissioner as Deputy Chairperson of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\nS. 10G inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10G Vacancies and removal\n\n(1) The office of a Commissioner becomes vacant if the Commissioner—\n\n(a) becomes an insolvent under administration; or\n\n(b) is convicted or found guilty of an indictable offence (or an offence that, if committed in Victoria, would be an indictable offence); or\n\n(c) is removed from office under subsection (2); or\n\n(d) resigns by notice in writing to the Minister.\n\n(2) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may remove a Commissioner from office.\n\n(3) The Minister may recommend that the Governor in Council remove a Commissioner from office only if—\n\n(a) the Commissioner is incapable of performing the Commissioner's functions or duties; or\n\n(b) the Commissioner is negligent in performing the Commissioner's functions or duties; or\n\n(c) the Commissioner engages in improper conduct in performing the Commissioner's functions or duties; or\n\n(d) the Commissioner fails to disclose a pecuniary interest as required under section 10M; or\n\n(e) the Commissioner is convicted or found guilty of an offence against—\n\n(i) this Act; or\n\n(ii) the **Gas Safety Act 1997**; or\n\n(iii) the **Electricity Safety Act 1998**; or\n\n(iv) the **Pipelines Act 2005**; or\n\n(f) the Minister considers that the Commissioner is no longer suitable to hold office.\n\nS. 10H inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10H Acting arrangements\n\n(1) The Deputy Chairperson must act in the office of Chairperson during any period when—\n\n(a) the Chairperson's office is vacant; or\n\n(b) the Chairperson is absent; or\n\n(c) for any other reason, the Chairperson is unable to perform the Chairperson's functions or duties.\n\n(2) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may appoint a person to act in the office of a Commissioner for a period not exceeding 6 months if—\n\n(a) that Commissioner is absent; or\n\n(b) for any other reason, that Commissioner is unable to perform that Commissioner's functions or duties.\n\n(3) A person who is acting in an office under this section has all the functions, powers and duties of that office under this or any other Act.\n\n(4) While the Deputy Chairperson is acting as Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson is entitled to be paid—\n\n(a) the remuneration and allowances to which the Chairperson would have been entitled under their instrument of appointment under section 10D; and\n\n(b) not the remuneration and allowances to which the Deputy Chairperson would have been entitled under their instrument of appointment under section 10D.\n\n(5) While a person is acting in the office of a Commissioner, the person is entitled to be paid the remuneration and allowances to which that Commissioner would have been entitled under their instrument of appointment under section 10D.\n\nS. 10I inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10I Validity of acts and decisions\n\nAn act or decision of Energy Safe Victoria is not invalid merely because of—\n\n(a) a vacancy in the office of a Commissioner at the time of the decision; or\n\n(b) a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, the appointment of a Commissioner or an acting Commissioner.\n\nS. 10J inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10J Commissioners protected from liability\n\n(1) A Commissioner is not personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith—\n\n(a) in the exercise of a power or the performance of a function of Energy Safe Victoria; or\n\n(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the exercise of a power or the performance of a function of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(2) Any liability resulting from an act or omission that, without subsection (1), would attach to the Commissioner attaches instead to Energy Safe Victoria.\n\nPt 2 Div. 1B (Heading and ss 10K–10M) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\nDivision 1B—Procedure\n\nS. 10K inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10K Meetings\n\n(1) The Chairperson must determine when Energy Safe Victoria meets.\n\n(2) A meeting of Energy Safe Victoria may be conducted by—\n\n(a) telephone; or\n\n(b) audio visual link; or\n\n(c) another means of communication that does not require the physical presence of each Commissioner in the same room.\n\n(3) The quorum at a meeting is 2 Commissioners of whom one must be the Chairperson or the Deputy Chairperson.\n\n(4) The Chairperson must preside at a meeting of Energy Safe Victoria in which the Chairperson is included.\n\n(5) The Deputy Chairperson must preside at a meeting of Energy Safe Victoria in which the Chairperson is not included.\n\n(6) A question arising at a meeting is determined by a majority of votes of the Commissioners.\n\n(7) The person presiding at a meeting has a deliberative vote and, in the case of an equality of votes, a second or casting vote.\n\n(8) The person presiding at a meeting must ensure that accurate minutes are kept.\n\n(9) Subject to this Act, Energy Safe Victoria may regulate its own proceedings.\n\nS. 10L inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10L Resolutions without meetings\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria may, in accordance with this section, pass a resolution without a meeting.\n\n(2) The Chairperson may propose a resolution by making reasonable efforts to give each other Commissioner a written notice setting out the proposed resolution.\n\n(3) Energy Safe Victoria is taken to have passed a resolution proposed in a notice under subsection (2) if at least 2 Commissioners sign a document that—\n\n(a) sets out the resolution; and\n\n(b) states that the Commissioners signing the document are in favour of that resolution.\n\n(4) It does not matter whether—\n\n(a) there is only one document that is signed by the Commissioners; or\n\n(b) different Commissioners sign different documents.\n\n(5) The resolution is taken to have been passed on the day on which the second Commissioner signs a document under subsection (3).\n\n(6) A Commissioner who has a pecuniary interest in a resolution proposed in a notice under subsection (2) must not sign a document under subsection (3) in respect of that resolution.\n\n(7) Subsection (6) does not apply in relation to a pecuniary interest that is a result of the supply of goods or services that are available to members of the public on the same terms and conditions.\n\n(8) If a Commissioner signs a document under subsection (3) in contravention of subsection (6), the Commissioner is taken to have validly signed the document for the purposes of determining whether at least 2 Commissioners have signed a document under subsection (3).\n\n(9) The Chairperson must give each other Commissioner a copy of a resolution passed under this section as soon as practicable after it is passed.\n\n(10) Energy Safe Victoria must keep a record of all resolutions passed under this section.\n\nS. 10M inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 25.\n\n\t10M Pecuniary interests of Commissioners\n\n(1) If a Commissioner has a pecuniary interest in a matter that is to be considered by Energy Safe Victoria, the Commissioner must disclose the nature of that interest at a meeting of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(2) If the Chairperson has a pecuniary interest in a matter that is to be considered by Energy Safe Victoria, the Chairperson must disclose the nature of that interest to the Minister.\n\n(3) The Chairperson must cause a record of a disclosure made under subsection (1) or (2) to be made in the minutes of the meeting at which the disclosure is made or, in the case of a disclosure to the Minister, at the next meeting of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(4) A Commissioner who has a pecuniary interest in a matter that is to be considered by Energy Safe Victoria must not be present during any deliberation with respect to, or vote on, that matter.\n\n(5) A failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of a decision of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(6) This section does not apply in relation to a pecuniary interest that is a result of the supply of goods or services that are available to members of the public on the same terms and conditions.\n\nPt 2 Div. 2 (Heading and ss 11–18) amended by Nos 80/2006 s. 26 (Sch. item 32), 55/2010 s. 45, substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\nDivision 2—Chief Executive Officer\n\nS. 11 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t11 Appointment of Chief Executive Officer\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria may appoint a person (other than a Commissioner) as the Chief Executive Officer of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(2) Before appointing a person as the Chief Executive Officer, Energy Safe Victoria must consult with the Minister.\n\n(3) The **Public Administration Act 2004** (other than Part 3 of that Act) applies to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of the office of Chief Executive Officer.\n\nS. 12 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t12 Function of Chief Executive Officer\n\nThe Chief Executive Officer is responsible to Energy Safe Victoria for the day-to-day management and administration of the affairs of Energy Safe Victoria.\n\nS. 13 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t13 Duration of appointment as Chief Executive Officer\n\nThe Chief Executive Officer—\n\n(a) holds office for a term, not exceeding 5 years, specified in the instrument of appointment; and\n\n(b) is eligible to be reappointed.\n\nS. 14 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t14 Terms and conditions of appointment as Chief Executive Officer\n\n(1) The Chief Executive Officer is appointed on the terms and conditions that are specified in the instrument of appointment.\n\n(2) The instrument of appointment must specify the remuneration and allowances of the Chief Executive Officer.\n\nS. 15 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t15 Acting Chief Executive Officer\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria may appoint a person to act in the office of Chief Executive Officer if—\n\n(a) the office of Chief Executive Officer is vacant; or\n\n(b) the Chief Executive Officer is absent; or\n\n(c) for any other reason, the Chief Executive Officer is unable to perform the Chief Executive Officer's functions or duties.\n\n(2) A person who is acting in the office of Chief Executive Officer under this section has all the functions, powers and duties of that office under this or any other Act.\n\n(3) A person appointed to act in the office of Chief Executive Officer under subsection (1)—\n\n(a) is appointed for the period specified in the instrument of appointment; and\n\n(b) is appointed on the terms and conditions (including remuneration and allowances), specified in the instrument of appointment; and\n\n(c) is eligible to be reappointed.\n\n(4) The period of appointment specified in the instrument of appointment must not exceed 6 months.\n\nS. 16 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t16 Validity of acts and decisions by Chief Executive Officer\n\n(1) An act or decision of the Chief Executive Officer is not invalid merely because of a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer.\n\n(2) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act as Chief Executive Officer is not invalid merely because—\n\n(a) the occasion for the appointment has not arisen; or\n\n(b) there was a defect or irregularity in relation to the appointment; or\n\n(c) the appointment has ceased to have effect; or\n\n(d) the occasion for the person to act had not arisen or had ceased.\n\nS. 17 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t17 Pecuniary interests of Chief Executive Officer\n\n(1) If the Chief Executive Officer has a pecuniary interest in a matter that they are to consider, the Chief Executive Officer must disclose the nature of that interest to Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a pecuniary interest that is a result of the supply of goods or services that are available to members of the public on the same terms and conditions.\n\n(3) A failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of a decision of the Chief Executive Officer.\n\nS. 18 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 26.\n\n\t18 Protection from liability—Chief Executive Officer\n\n(1) The Chief Executive Officer is not personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith—\n\n(a) in the exercise of a power or the performance of a function of the Chief Executive Officer; or\n\n(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the exercise of a power or the performance of a function of the Chief Executive Officer.\n\n(2) Any liability resulting from an act or omission that, without subsection (1), would attach to the Chief Executive Officer attaches instead to Energy Safe Victoria.\n\nDivision 3—Corporate plan\n\n\t19 Corporate plan\n\nS. 19(1) amended by No. 13/2025 s. 92(1).\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria must prepare a corporate plan every 3 years.\n\nS. 19(2) substituted by No. 13/2025 s. 92(2).\n\n(2) Energy Safe Victoria must submit a copy of the proposed plan to the Minister and the Treasurer—\n\n(a) on or before 31 May in 2025 or any other day in 2025 specified by the Minister after consulting with Energy Safe Victoria; and\n\n(b) on or before—\n\n(i) 31 May in the year during which the 3‑year period after the lodging of the most recent corporate plan expires; or\n\n(ii) any other day specified by the Minister after consulting with Energy Safe Victoria in the year in which the period described in subparagraph (i) expires.\n\n(3) The proposed corporate plan must be in or to the effect of a form approved by the Minister and must include—\n\n(a) a statement of corporate intent in accordance with section 20;\n\n(b) a business plan containing such information as the Minister requires;\n\nS. 19(3)(c) amended by No. 13/2025 s. 92(3).\n\n(c) financial statements containing such information as the Minister requires;\n\nS. 19(3)(d) inserted by No. 13/2025 s. 92(4).\n\n(d) any additional information required by the Minister.\n\n(4) Energy Safe Victoria must consider any comments on the proposed plan that are made to it by the Minister within 2 months after the plan was submitted to the Minister.\n\n(5) Energy Safe Victoria must—\n\n(a) consult in good faith with the Minister following communication to it of the comments; and\n\n(b) make such changes to the plan as are agreed between it and the Minister; and\n\nS. 19(5)(c) amended by No. 13/2025 s. 92(5).\n\n(c) deliver the completed plan to the Minister and the Treasurer within 3 months after the commencement of the financial year.\n\n(6) The plan, or any part of the plan, must not be published or made available except for the purposes of this Division without the prior approval of Energy Safe Victoria and the Minister.\n\n(7) The plan may be modified at any time by Energy Safe Victoria with the agreement of the Minister.\n\n(8) If Energy Safe Victoria, by written notice to the Minister, proposes a modification of the plan, Energy Safe Victoria may, within 14 days, make the modification unless the Minister, by written notice to Energy Safe Victoria, directs Energy Safe Victoria not to make it.\n\n(9) The Minister may, from time to time, by written notice to Energy Safe Victoria, direct it to include in, or omit from, a statement of corporate intent, a business plan or a financial statement of a specified kind, any specified matters.\n\n(10) Before giving a direction under this section, the Minister must consult with Energy Safe Victoria as to the matters to be referred to in the notice.\n\n(11) Energy Safe Victoria must comply with a direction under this section.\n\n(12) At any particular time, the statement of corporate intent, the business plan or the financial statements for Energy Safe Victoria are the statements and plan last completed, with any modifications or deletions made in accordance with this Division.\n\nS. 20 amended by No. 13/2025 s. 93.\n\n\t20 Statement of corporate intent: contents\n\nEach statement of corporate intent must specify for Energy Safe Victoria, in respect of the financial years to which it relates, the following information—\n\n(a) the objectives of Energy Safe Victoria;\n\n(b) the nature and scope of the activities to be undertaken by Energy Safe Victoria;\n\n(c) the accounting policies to be applied in the accounts;\n\n(d) the performance targets and other measures by which the performance of Energy Safe Victoria may be judged in relation to its stated objectives;\n\n(e) the kind of information to be provided to the Minister by Energy Safe Victoria during the course of those financial years;\n\n(f) such other matters as may be agreed on by the Minister and Energy Safe Victoria from time to time.\n\n\t21 Energy Safe Victoria to act in accordance with corporate plan\n\nEnergy Safe Victoria must act only in accordance with its corporate plan, as existing from time to time, unless it has first obtained the written approval of the Minister to do otherwise.\n\nS. 21A inserted by No. 13/2025 s. 94.\n\n\t21A Annual updates to corporate plans\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria must give an annual update on the corporate plan to the Minister and the Treasurer on or before 31 May of—\n\n(a) the year during which the 12‑month period beginning on the day on which a copy of that proposed plan is first submitted under section 19(2) expires; and\n\n(b) the year during which the 24‑month period beginning on the day that proposed plan is first submitted expires.\n\n(2) The annual update must include—\n\n(a) any revised financial statements containing information that the Minister requires; and\n\n(b) any other information that the Minister requires.\n\n(3) An annual update, or any part of an annual update, must not be published or made available except for the purposes of this Division without the prior approval of Energy Safe Victoria and the Minister.\n\n(4) The Minister may, at any time, by written notice to Energy Safe Victoria, direct Energy Safe Victoria to include in, or omit from, an annual update any specified material.\n\n(5) Energy Safe Victoria may, with the agreement of the Minister, at any time modify an annual update.\n\n\t22 Nothing void merely because of non-compliance\n\nNothing done by Energy Safe Victoria is void or unenforceable merely because Energy Safe Victoria has failed to comply with this Division.\n\nPt 2 Div. 3A (Heading and ss 22A–22F) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 30.\n\nDivision 3A—Technical Advisory Committee\n\nS. 22A inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 30.\n\n\t22A Minister must establish Technical Advisory Committee\n\nThe Minister must—\n\n(a) establish a Technical Advisory Committee; and\n\n(b) determine the procedure of the Committee; and\n\n(c) determine the Committee's terms of reference.\n\nS. 22B inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 30.\n\n\t22B Constitution of Technical Advisory Committee\n\nThe Technical Advisory Committee is to consist of the persons appointed by the Minister under section 22D.\n\nS. 22C inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 30.\n\n\t22C Function of Technical Advisory Committee\n\n(1) The function of the Technical Advisory Committee is to provide advice to Energy Safe Victoria as described in this section.\n\n(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Technical Advisory Committee—\n\n(a) may provide advice to Energy Safe Victoria on its own initiative; and\n\n(b) must provide advice to Energy Safe Victoria on request.\n\n(3) The Technical Advisory Committee must not provide advice on a matter that—\n\n(a) does not relate to Energy Safe Victoria's functions; and\n\n(b) is not within the scope of the terms of reference determined under section 22A(c).\n\nS. 22D inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 30.\n\n\t22D Appointment of members of Technical Advisory Committee\n\n(1) The Minister may appoint a person to be a member of the Technical Advisory Committee.\n\n(2) In appointing a person, the Minister must seek to ensure that the membership of the Technical Advisory Committee includes members who are able to represent the interests of—\n\n(a) the electricity industry; and\n\n(b) the gas industry; and\n\n(c) employees in those industries; and\n\n(d) the Victorian community.\n\nS. 22E inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 30.\n\n\t22E Duration of appointment as committee member\n\nA member of the Technical Advisory Committee—\n\n(a) holds office for a term, not exceeding 3 years, specified in the instrument of appointment; and\n\n(b) is eligible to be reappointed.\n\nS. 22F inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 30.\n\n\t22F Terms and conditions of appointment as committee member\n\n(1) A member of the Technical Advisory Committee is appointed on the terms and conditions that are specified in the instrument of appointment.\n\n(2) The instrument of appointment must specify—\n\n(a) the remuneration and allowances of the member; and\n\n(b) whether the member is appointed on a full‑time or part-time basis.\n\nPt 2 Div. 3B (Heading and ss 22G–22I) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 31.\n\nDivision 3B—Direction by the Minister\n\nS. 22G inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 31.\n\n\t22G Minister may give directions to Energy Safe Victoria\n\n(1) The Minister may notify Energy Safe Victoria that the Minister intends to give Energy Safe Victoria a direction under subsection (2) in respect of the exercise of its powers, or the performance of its functions, under—\n\n(a) this Act; or\n\n(b) the **Gas Safety Act 1997**; or\n\n(c) the **Electricity Safety Act 1998**; or\n\n(d) the **Pipelines Act 2005**.\n\n(2) At least 14 days after notifying Energy Safe Victoria of a proposed direction, the Minister may give that direction to Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n(3) The Minister must not give Energy Safe Victoria a direction under subsection (2) about—\n\n(a) the taking of enforcement action by Energy Safe Victoria for a contravention of—\n\n(i) an Act referred to in subsection (1); or\n\n(ii) regulations made under any of those Acts; or\n\n(b) any decision or action of Energy Safe Victoria in respect of a particular person or product, or particular equipment.\n\n(4) Energy Safe Victoria must comply with a direction under subsection (2).\n\nS. 22H inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 31.\n\n\t22H Publication of directions\n\nEnergy Safe Victoria must publish on the Internet each direction given by the Minister under section 22G(2).\n\nS. 22I inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 31.\n\n\t22I Directions to be summarised in annual report\n\nEnergy Safe Victoria must include in its annual report under section 45 of the **Financial Management Act 1994** a summary of each direction given by the Minister under section 22G(2) in the financial year to which that annual report relates.\n\nDivision 4—Financial provisions\n\n\t23 Borrowing and investment by Energy Safe Victoria\n\nEnergy Safe Victoria has the powers conferred on it by the **Borrowing and Investment Powers Act 1987**.\n\n\t24 General Account\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria must keep an account called the General Account.\n\n(2) Energy Safe Victoria must ensure that there is paid into the General Account—\n\nS. 24(2)(a) amended by No. 60/2006 s. 7.\n\n(a) all money paid to it under section 8 of the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** or section 11 of the **Gas Safety Act 1997** or section 132A of the **Pipelines Act 2005**; and\n\n(b) all fees and charges received or recovered under the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** or the **Gas Safety Act 1997**; and\n\n(c) all other money received by it or on its behalf.\n\n(3) Energy Safe Victoria may pay money out of the General Account—\n\n(a) to meet any costs or expenses incurred in carrying out its functions or powers;\n\nS. 24(3)(b) substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 27.\n\n(b) for the remuneration, allowances and expenses of—\n\n(i) the Chief Executive Officer; and\n\n(ii) any acting Chief Executive Officer; and\n\n(iii) the employees of Energy Safe Victoria;\n\n(c) for any other purpose authorised by this Act.\n\nDivision 5—Confidentiality\n\nS. 25 substituted by No. 4/2020 s. 28.\n\n\t25 Improper use of information\n\n(1) This section applies to a person who is or has been—\n\n(a) a Commissioner; or\n\n(b) the Chief Executive Officer; or\n\n(c) the chief electrical inspector within the meaning of Part 5; or\n\n(d) the Director of Gas Safety within the meaning of Part 5; or\n\n(e) an employee, agent or contractor of—\n\n(i) Energy Safe Victoria; or\n\n(ii) OCEI within the meaning of Part 5; or\n\n(iii) OGS within the meaning of Part 5; or\n\n(iv) the old body within the meaning of Part 6.\n\n(2) A person specified in subsection (1) must not make improper use of any protected information to obtain, directly or indirectly, any pecuniary or other advantage for any person.\n\nPenalty: 100 penalty units.\n\n(3) In this section—\n\n***protected information***, in relation to a person specified in subsection (1), means information that the person acquired in the course of the person's duties—\n\n(a) as the holder of an office referred to in that subsection; or\n\n(b) as an employee, agent or contractor referred to in that subsection.\n\nPt 2 Div. 5A (Heading and ss 19A, 19B) inserted by No. 55/2010 s. 46.\n\nDivision 5A—Other matters\n\nS. 19A inserted by No. 55/2010 s. 46, renumbered as s. 25A by No. 29/2011 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 33.1).\n\n\t25A Energy Safe Victoria must publish Charter\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria must develop and publish a Charter of Consultation and Regulatory Practice including guidelines relating to the preparation of its corporate plan and conducting inquiries under Part 3.\n\n(2) The Charter of Consultation and Regulatory Practice—\n\n(a) must include such matters as are prescribed; and\n\n(b) may include any other matters that Energy Safe Victoria considers appropriate.\n\n(3) The Charter of Consultation and Regulatory Practice, or any part of the Charter, must not require or allow the public release of a draft of Energy Safe Victoria's corporate plan or a draft of a part of that plan without the prior approval of Energy Safe Victoria and the Minister.\n\nS. 19B inserted by No. 55/2010 s. 46, renumbered as s. 25B by No. 29/2011 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 33.2).\n\n\t25B Memoranda of Understanding\n\n(1) In this section ***prescribed body*** means a person, body or agency which is prescribed for the purposes of this section.\n\n(2) Energy Safe Victoria and a prescribed body must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding by a date determined by the Minister.\n\n(3) A Memorandum of Understanding entered into under subsection (2)—\n\n(a) must include such matters as are prescribed; and\n\n(b) may include any other matters that the parties consider appropriate.\n\n(4) Energy Safe Victoria must ensure that a Memorandum of Understanding entered into under subsection (2) is published—\n\n(a) in the Government Gazette; and\n\n(b) on the Internet.\n\nPart 3—Inquiries and reports\n\n\t26 Inquiry by Energy Safe Victoria\n\nEnergy Safe Victoria may, after consultation with the Minister, conduct an inquiry if it considers an inquiry is necessary or desirable for the purpose of carrying out its functions.\n\n\t27 Minister may refer matter for inquiry\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria must conduct an inquiry into any matter which the Minister by written notice refers to it under this Part.\n\n(2) The written notice must specify the terms of reference for the inquiry.\n\n(3) The Minister may—\n\n(a) specify a period within which a report is to be submitted to the Minister;\n\n(b) require Energy Safe Victoria to make a draft report publicly available or available to specified persons or bodies during the inquiry;\n\n(c) require Energy Safe Victoria to consider specified matters;\n\n(d) give Energy Safe Victoria specific directions in respect of the conduct of the inquiry.\n\n(4) Energy Safe Victoria must report to the Minister on the results of any inquiry.\n\n(5) The Minister may amend the terms of reference or extend the period within which a report is to be submitted to the Minister.\n\n\t28 Notice of inquiry\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria must, after notifying the Minister, publish notice of an inquiry—\n\n(a) in the Government Gazette; and\n\n(b) in a daily newspaper generally circulating in Victoria; and\n\n(c) on the Internet.\n\n(2) The notice must specify—\n\n(a) the purpose of the inquiry;\n\n(b) the period during which the inquiry is to be held;\n\n(c) the period within which, and the form in which, members of the public may make submissions, including details of public hearings;\n\n(d) the matters that Energy Safe Victoria would like submissions to deal with.\n\n(3) If the inquiry relates to a matter referred to Energy Safe Victoria by the Minister, the notice must include the terms of reference and the matters specified in section 27(3).\n\n(4) Energy Safe Victoria must publish a further notice if the Minister amends the terms of reference or extends the period within which the report is to be submitted to the Minister.\n\n(5) Energy Safe Victoria must send a copy of any notice published under this section to any person or body that it considers should be notified.\n\n\t29 Conduct of inquiry\n\n(1) Subject to this Act, Energy Safe Victoria may conduct an inquiry in such a manner as it considers appropriate.\n\n(2) In conducting an inquiry, Energy Safe Victoria is not bound by rules or practice as to evidence but may inform itself in relation to any matter in such manner as it considers appropriate.\n\n(3) Energy Safe Victoria may receive written submissions or statements.\n\n(4) Energy Safe Victoria—\n\n(a) must hold at least one public hearing; and\n\n(b) has a discretion as to whether any person may appear before Energy Safe Victoria in person or be represented by another person.\n\n(5) Energy Safe Victoria may determine that a hearing or a part of a hearing be held in private if it is satisfied that—\n\n(a) it would be in the public interest; or\n\n(b) the evidence is of a confidential or commercially-sensitive nature.\n\n(6) In conducting an inquiry Energy Safe Victoria may—\n\n(a) consult with any person that it considers appropriate;\n\n(b) hold public seminars and conduct workshops;\n\n(c) establish working groups and task forces.\n\n\t30 Powers relating to inquiries\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria may serve upon any person a summons to—\n\n(a) provide specified information; or\n\n(b) produce specified documents; or\n\n(c) appear before Energy Safe Victoria to give evidence.\n\n(2) Energy Safe Victoria may make an order for the manner of service, including substituted service, of a summons under subsection (1).\n\n(3) A person who without lawful excuse disobeys a summons of Energy Safe Victoria is guilty of an offence.\n\n1. 60 penalty units.\n\n\n(4) It is a lawful excuse for the purposes of subsection (3) that compliance may tend to incriminate that person or make that person liable to a penalty for any other offence.\n\n(5) A person must not give information which the person knows is false or misleading to Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n1. 120 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.\n\n\n(6) A person must not—\n\n(a) threaten, intimidate or coerce another person; or\n\n(b) take, threaten to take, incite or be involved in any action that causes another person to suffer any loss, injury or disadvantage—\n\nbecause that other person assisted, or intends to assist, any inquiry conducted by Energy Safe Victoria.\n\n1. 120 penalty units.\n\n\n(7) A person who, in good faith, makes a statement or gives a document or information to Energy Safe Victoria in connection with an inquiry under this Part is not liable in respect of loss, damage or injury of any kind suffered by another person because of the making of that statement or the giving of that document or information, whether or not the statement is made, or the document or information is given, in connection with a written submission or a public hearing.\n\n\t31 Reports\n\n(1) Energy Safe Victoria must submit a copy of its final report on an inquiry to the Minister.\n\n(2) If, in the opinion of Energy Safe Victoria, a final report will contain confidential or commercially-sensitive information, Energy Safe Victoria must divide the report into—\n\n(a) a document containing the confidential or commercially-sensitive information; and\n\n(b) another document containing the rest of the report.\n\n(3) If Energy Safe Victoria submits a final report to the Minister in the form required by subsection (2), a reference to the final report in subsections (4), (5) and (6) is to be read as a reference to the document described in subsection (2)(b).\n\n(4) The Minister must cause a copy of the final report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 7 sitting days of the House after receiving the final report.\n\n(5) The Minister must, after the final report has been laid before each House of the Parliament, or if the Parliament is not sitting, within 30 days after receiving a final report, ensure that a copy of the final report is available for public inspection.\n\n(6) After the Minister has made a final report publicly available, Energy Safe Victoria must ensure that copies are made publicly available.\n\n\t32 Special reports\n\n(1) If in the course of an inquiry Energy Safe Victoria considers that there is another matter on which it should report to the Minister, Energy Safe Victoria may do so, in the final report or in a special report.\n\n(2) If Energy Safe Victoria prepares a special report, subsections (4), (5) and (6) of section 31 apply to the special report as if it were a final report.\n\nPart 4—General\n\n\t33 Regulations\n\nThe Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to prescribing any matter or thing authorised or required to be prescribed or necessary to be prescribed for the carrying of this Act into effect.\n\nPart 5—Transitional provisions\n\nDivision 1—Introductory\n\n\t34 Definitions\n\nIn this Part—\n\n***chief electrical inspector*** means the chief electrical inspector appointed under the **Electricity Safety Act 1998**;\n\n***commencement day*** means the date of commencement of this Part;\n\n***Director of Gas Safety*** means the Director of Gas Safety appointed under the **Gas Safety Act 1997**;\n\n***OCEI*** means the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector established under the **Electricity Safety Act 1998**;\n\n***OGS*** means the Office of Gas Safety established under the **Gas Safety Act 1997**.\n\nDivision 2—Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector\n\n\t35 Abolition of OCEI\n\nOn the commencement day—\n\n(a) OCEI is abolished; and\n\n(b) the chief electrical inspector goes out of office; and\n\n(c) Energy Safe Victoria is the successor in law of OCEI; and\n\n(d) all rights, assets, liabilities and obligations of OCEI immediately before its abolition become rights, assets, liabilities and obligations of Energy Safe Victoria; and\n\n(e) all money standing to the credit of the General Account of OCEI under the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** becomes money standing to the credit of the General Account of Energy Safe Victoria under this Act; and\n\n(f) Energy Safe Victoria is substituted as a party in any proceedings, contract, agreement or arrangement commenced or made by or against or in relation to OCEI; and\n\n(g) Energy Safe Victoria may continue and complete any other continuing matter or thing commenced by or against or in relation to OCEI; and\n\n(h) the Director may continue and complete any continuing matter or thing commenced by or against or in relation to the chief electrical inspector.\n\n\t36 Staff\n\n(1) On the commencement day the person who holds the office of the chief electrical inspector under the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** immediately before that day is deemed to be an employee of Energy Safe Victoria, with the same accrued and accruing entitlements as applied to that person immediately before that day as the chief electrical inspector and on the terms and conditions determined by the Minister, unless that person is appointed as the Director of Energy Safety under Part 2 with effect from that day.\n\n(2) On the commencement day any person who was an employee of OCEI immediately before that day is deemed to be an employee of Energy Safe Victoria on the same terms and conditions and with the same accrued and accruing entitlements as applied to that person immediately before that day as an employee of OCEI.\n\n(3) If subsection (2) applies to a person—\n\n(a) the service of the person as an employee with Energy Safe Victoria is to be regarded for all purposes as having been continuous with the service of the employee with OCEI; and\n\n(b) the person is not entitled to receive any payment or other benefit by reason only of having ceased to be an employee of OCEI.\n\n(4) Nothing in this section prevents an employee of OCEI from resigning or being dismissed at any time after the commencement day in accordance with the terms and conditions of his or her employment.\n\n\t37 Superseded references to OCEI\n\nOn and from the commencement day, in any Act (other than this Act) or in any instrument made under any Act or in any other document of any kind, a reference to OCEI is deemed to be a reference to Energy Safe Victoria so far as it relates to any period after the commencement day, unless the context otherwise requires.\n\n\t38 Superseded references to chief electrical inspector\n\nOn and from the commencement day, in any Act (other than this Act) or in any instrument made under any Act or in any other document of any kind, a reference to the chief electrical inspector is deemed to be a reference to the Director so far as it relates to any period after the commencement day, unless the context otherwise requires.\n\nDivision 3—Office of Gas Safety\n\n\t39 Abolition of OGS\n\nOn the commencement day—\n\n(a) OGS is abolished; and\n\n(b) the Director of Gas Safety goes out of office; and\n\n(c) Energy Safe Victoria is the successor in law of OGS; and\n\n(d) all rights, assets, liabilities and obligations of OGS immediately before its abolition become rights, assets, liabilities and obligations of Energy Safe Victoria; and\n\n(e) all moneys standing to the credit of the General Account of OGS under the **Gas Safety Act 1997** become moneys standing to the credit of the General Account of Energy Safe Victoria under this Act; and\n\n(f) Energy Safe Victoria is substituted as a party in any proceedings, contract, agreement or arrangement commenced or made by or against or in relation to OGS; and\n\n(g) Energy Safe Victoria may continue and complete any other continuing matter or thing commenced by or against or in relation to OGS; and\n\n(h) the Director may continue and complete any continuing matter or thing commenced by or against or in relation to the Director of Gas Safety.\n\n\t40 Staff\n\n(1) On the commencement day the person who holds the office of the Director of Gas Safety under the **Gas Safety Act 1997** immediately before that day is deemed to be an employee of Energy Safe Victoria, with the same accrued and accruing entitlements as applied to that person immediately before that day as the Director of Gas Safety and on the terms and conditions determined by the Minister, unless that person is appointed as the Director of Energy Safety under Part 2 with effect from that day.\n\n(2) On the commencement day any person who was an employee of OGS immediately before that day is deemed to be an employee of Energy Safe Victoria on the same terms and conditions and with the same accrued and accruing entitlements as applied to that person immediately before that day as an employee of OGS.\n\n(3) If subsection (2) applies to a person—\n\n(a) the service of the person as an employee with Energy Safe Victoria is to be regarded for all purposes as having been continuous with the service of the employee with OGS; and\n\n(b) the person is not entitled to receive any payment or other benefit by reason only of having ceased to be an employee of OGS.\n\n(4) Nothing in this section prevents an employee of OGS from resigning or being dismissed at any time after the commencement day in accordance with the terms and conditions of his or her employment.\n\n\t41 Superseded references to OGS\n\nOn and from the commencement day, in any Act (other than this Act) or in any instrument made under any Act or in any other document of any kind, a reference to OGS is deemed to be a reference to Energy Safe Victoria so far as it relates to any period after the commencement day, unless the context otherwise requires.\n\n\t42 Superseded references to Director of Gas Safety\n\nOn and from the commencement day, in any Act (other than this Act) or in any instrument made under any Act or in any other document of any kind, a reference to the Director of Gas Safety is deemed to be a reference to the Director so far as it relates to any period after the commencement day, unless the context otherwise requires.\n\nPt 5 Div. 4 (Heading) repealed by No. 4/2020 s. 29(2).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 43 repealed by No. 4/2020 s. 29(1).\n\n* * * * *\n\nPt 6 (Heading and ss 44–59) repealed by No. 28/2007 s. 3(Sch. item 21).\n\n* * * * *\n\nSch. (Heading) repealed by No. 21/2015 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 18).\n\nSchs 1, 2 repealed by No. 28/2007 s. 3(Sch. item 21).\n\n* * * * *\n\nPt 6 (Heading and ss 44–50) inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\nPart 6—Transitional provisions—Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020\n\nS. 44 inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\n\t44 Definitions\n\nIn this Part—\n\n***accountable officer*** has the same meaning as in the **Financial Management Act 1994**;\n\n***commencement day*** means the date of commencement of this Part;\n\n***Director*** means the person who, immediately before the commencement day, held office as the Director of Energy Safe Victoria appointed under section 12 as in force at that time;\n\n***financial statements*** means financial statements under Part 7 of the **Financial Management Act 1994**;\n\n***new body*** means the body established by section 4 as substituted by section 23 of the **Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020**;\n\n***old body*** means the body called Energy Safe Victoria established by section 4 as in force immediately before its substitution by section 23 of the **Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020**;\n\n***report of operations*** means a report of operations under Part 7 of the **Financial Management Act 1994**.\n\nS. 45 inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\n\t45 Abolition of old body\n\nOn the commencement day—\n\n(a) the old body is abolished; and\n\n(b) the new body is the successor in law to the old body; and\n\n(c) all rights, assets, property, liabilities and obligations of the old body immediately before its abolition become rights, assets, property, liabilities and obligations of the new body; and\n\n(d) the new body is substituted as a party in any proceedings, contract, agreement or arrangement commenced or made by or against or in relation to the old body; and\n\n(e) the new body may continue and complete any other continuing matter or thing—\n\n(i) commenced by or against or in relation to the old body; and\n\n(ii) commenced by or against or in relation to the Director.\n\nS. 46 inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\n\t46 Abolition of office of Director of Energy Safe Victoria\n\nOn the commencement day—\n\n(a) the office of Director of Energy Safe Victoria is abolished; and\n\n(b) the Director goes out of office.\n\nS. 47 inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\n\t47 Superseded references\n\nA reference in any Act (other than this Act), subordinate instrument, agreement, deed or other document to the old body (however described), or to the Director of Energy Safe Victoria (however described), must be construed as a reference to the new body—\n\n(a) so far as the reference relates to any period on or after the commencement day; and\n\n(b) if not inconsistent with the subject matter.\n\nS. 48 inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\n\t48 Staff\n\n(1) On the commencement day any person who was an employee of the old body immediately before that day is taken to be an employee of the new body on the same terms and conditions and with the same accrued and accruing entitlements as applied to that person immediately before that day as an employee of the old body.\n\n(2) If subsection (1) applies to a person—\n\n(a) the service of the person as an employee with the new body is to be regarded for all purposes as having been continuous with the service of the employee with the old body; and\n\n(b) the person is not entitled to receive any payment or other benefit by reason only of having ceased to be an employee of the old body.\n\n(3) Nothing in this section prevents an employee of the old body from resigning or being dismissed at any time after the commencement day in accordance with the terms and conditions of the employee's employment.\n\nS. 49 inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\n\t49 Outstanding statements and reports under Financial Management Act 1994\n\n(1) The new body must cause to be prepared, in accordance with Part 7 of the **Financial Management Act 1994**, the report of operations for the old body's final financial year if the old body had not prepared that report before the commencement day.\n\n(2) The new body's accountable officer must cause to be prepared, in accordance with Part 7 of the **Financial Management Act 1994**, the financial statements for the old body's final financial year if the old body's accountable officer had not prepared those statements before the commencement day.\n\n(3) The new body must, in accordance with Part 7 of the **Financial Management Act 1994**, submit the report of operations for the old body's final financial year if the old body had not submitted that report before the commencement day.\n\n(4) If the new body is required to submit a report under subsection (3), the report must be submitted as soon as practicable after it has been prepared.\n\n(5) The new body's accountable officer must, in accordance with Part 7 of the **Financial Management Act 1994**, submit the financial statements for the old body's final financial year if the old body's accountable officer had not submitted those statements before the commencement day.\n\n(6) If the new body's accountable officer is required to submit statements under subsection (5), those statements must be submitted—\n\n(a) within 8 weeks after the end of the old body's final financial year; or\n\n(b) if that period has already elapsed, as soon as practicable after the statements have been prepared.\n\n(7) The old body's ***final financial year*** is the period of 12 months ending at midnight on 30 June preceding the commencement day.\n\nS. 50 inserted by No. 4/2020 s. 32.\n\n\t50 First new statements and reports under Financial Management Act 1994\n\n(1) If the commencement day is not 1 July 2020—\n\n(a) the new body must incorporate into the new body's first report of operations the report of operations of the old body during the transitional reporting period; and\n\n(b) the new body's accountable officer must incorporate into the new body's first financial statements the financial statements for the old body during the transitional reporting period.\n\n(2) The ***transitional reporting period*** is the period—\n\n(a) beginning 1 July preceding the commencement day; and\n\n(b) ending on the commencement day.\n\nPt 7 (Heading and s. 51) inserted by No. 13/2025 s. 95.\n\nPart 7—Transitional provisions—Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025\n\nS. 51 inserted by No. 13/2025 s. 95.\n\n\t51 Transitional provisions—Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025\n\n(1) This section applies if Part 5 of the amending Act does not come into operation on or before 31 May 2025.\n\n(2) On and from the commencement day, the corporate plan submitted most recently before the commencement day is taken to be the corporate plan submitted for the purposes of section 19(2)(a).\n\n(3) In this section—\n\n***amending Act*** means the **Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025**;\n\n***commencement day*** means the day on which Part 5 of the amending Act comes into operation.\n\n\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\n*Minister's second reading speech—*\n\n*Legislative Assembly: 19 May 2005*\n\n*Legislative Council: 20 July 2005*\n\nThe long title for the Bill for this Act was \"to establish Energy Safe Victoria, to amend the **Gas Safety Act 1997** and the **Electricity Safety Act 1998** and other Acts and for other purposes.\"\n\nThe **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** was assented to on 27 July 2005 and came into operation as follows:\n\nSection 59 on 23 November 2004: section 2(2); rest of Act on 10 August 2005: Special Gazette (No. 147) 9 August 2005 page 1.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Energy Legislation (Hardship, Metering and Other Matters) Act 2006, No. 60/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 29.8.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 7 on 1.4.07: Government Gazette 29.3.07 p. 532 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Public Sector Acts (Further Workplace Protection and Other Matters) Act 2006, No. 80/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 10.10.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 26(Sch. item 32) on 11.10.06: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2007, No. 28/2007**\n\n| Assent Date: | 26.6.07 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. item 21) on 27.6.07: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Energy and Resources Legislation Amendment Act 2010, No. 55/2010**\n\n| Assent Date: | 14.9.10 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 45, 46 on 14.10.10: Government Gazette 14.10.10 p. 2404 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2011, No. 29/2011**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.6.11 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 33) on 22.6.11: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Energy Legislation Amendment Act 2012, No. 51/2012**\n\n| Assent Date: | 18.9.12 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 12 on 27.9.12: Special Gazette (No. 324) 26.9.12 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Energy Legislation Amendment (Feed-in Tariffs and Other Matters) Act 2013, No. 35/2013**\n\n| Assent Date: | 18.6.13 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 13 on 10.7.13: Special Gazette (No. 257) 9.7.13 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2015, No. 21/2015**\n\n| Assent Date: | 16.6.15 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 18) on 1.8.15: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Electricity Safety Amendment (Electrical Equipment Safety Scheme) Act 2018, No. 43/2018**\n\n| Assent Date: | 18.9.18 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 17 on 1.4.19: Special Gazette (No. 517) 30.10.18 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020, No. 4/2020**\n\n| Assent Date: | 25.2.20 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 20–32 on 1.1.21: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n**Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025, No. 13/2025**\n\n| Assent Date: | 20.5.25 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 92–95 on 21.5.25: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's original scope—establishing a successor energy safety body and abolishing the prior OGS/OCEI—has been expanded and reconfigured by later amendments. Governance moved from a single Director model to a multi‑Commissioner commission with detailed appointment, removal and meeting rules (ss 10A–10J). Ministerial oversight and direction powers were clarified and limited (ss 22G–22I). Information‑sharing powers with the AER and other regulators were added (ss 7A, 7B), and corporate planning and reporting obligations were revised (ss 19–21A). Transitional provisions (Parts 5–7) also broadened the Act’s operational reach by specifying staff, asset and reporting transfers."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-references and legal dependencies on multiple other Acts (Electricity Safety Act 1998; Gas Safety Act 1997; Pipelines Act 2005; Financial Management Act 1994) which affect core functions and limits (see ss 5–6, 22G, 24, 31).","Layered institutional governance: Commissioners (Chair and Deputy), Chief Executive Officer, Technical Advisory Committee, and committees with distinct appointment, tenure and conflict rules (ss 10A–10M; 11–18; 22A–22F).","Significant ministerial discretion: the Minister can direct the regulator on the exercise of powers (with some exclusions) and may require publication/summary of directions (ss 22G–22I).","Powerful information‑sharing and confidentiality carve‑outs permitting disclosure to the AER and other regulators while creating specific defences and non‑liability rules (ss 7A, 7B, 25).","Broad delegation and procedural flexibility (delegations under s.10; meetings/resolutions under ss 10K–10L) that expand administrative discretion.","Strong inquiry and enforcement toolkit including summons, penalties for false/misleading information and protections for witnesses (ss 26–31, 30(3)–(6)).","Complex transitional arrangements transferring staff, assets, liabilities and reporting obligations across multiple amendment rounds (Parts 5–7; ss 35–50), complicating legacy compliance and accounting.","Numerous amendments over time (2010–2025) altering governance, corporate planning and reporting timetables (e.g. ss 19–21A), increasing interpretive complexity for current application."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates the Victorian Energy Safety Commission (Energy Safe Victoria), folding the old gas and electrical safety offices into a single statutory regulator with powers to enforce gas and electricity safety, run inquiries, employ staff, form committees and manage finances. It affects energy businesses, regulated parties, commission staff and the Minister. Funds flow into a General Account (s.24); the Minister can give directions (s.22G); the Act authorises sharing information with the AER (s.7A) and penalises misuse of protected information (s.25)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 2005 purpose of simply establishing Energy Safe Victoria and abolishing the predecessor offices. The 2020 amendments fundamentally reconstituted the body from a single-director model to a three-commissioner board structure with elaborate governance rules. The 2025 amendments added detailed corporate planning requirements including annual updates and specific submission dates. Information-sharing powers with Commonwealth regulators (AER) and other jurisdictions were added in 2013 and 2018, expanding the body's role into national energy market coordination. The Technical Advisory Committee and Ministerial direction powers (2020) added new layers of accountability and stakeholder engagement not in the original Act."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple transitional provisions across three different time periods (2005 abolition of OCEI/OGS, 2020 reconstitution of the body, and 2025 corporate plan amendments) creating overlapping historical layers","Cross-references to at least four other major Acts (Electricity Safety Act 1998, Gas Safety Act 1997, Pipelines Act 2005, Financial Management Act 1994)","Detailed governance rules including meeting procedures (quorum requirements, casting votes, remote participation), resolution without meetings, and pecuniary interest disclosures","Conditional logic in delegation powers (Ministerial consent required for certain delegations)","Nested exceptions in confidentiality provisions (section 25) covering current and former office holders across multiple abolished bodies","Complex corporate planning cycle with specific dates, ministerial consultation requirements, and modification procedures"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates **Energy Safe Victoria** (also called the Victorian Energy Safety Commission), a government body that oversees safety in Victoria's electricity and gas industries.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Establishes the Commission** as a legal entity with powers to hire staff, hold property, and conduct investigations (sections 4–7).\n- **Sets up governance**: A three-person board (Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and one other Commissioner) appointed by the Governor in Council on ministerial advice (sections 10A–10J). There's also a Chief Executive Officer who runs day-to-day operations (sections 11–18).\n- **Requires corporate planning**: The Commission must submit a three-year corporate plan to the Minister and Treasurer, including business plans and financial statements, with annual updates (sections 19–21A).\n- **Creates a Technical Advisory Committee** to provide industry and community advice (sections 22A–22F).\n- **Allows ministerial direction**: The Minister can issue public directions to the Commission about its functions, except regarding enforcement actions against specific people or products (sections 22G–22I).\n- **Powers information sharing**: The Commission can share confidential information with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and other regulatory bodies (sections 7A–7B).\n- **Conducts inquiries**: The Commission can hold public inquiries into safety matters, summon witnesses, and require documents (Part 3).\n- **Protects staff**: Commissioners and the CEO are protected from personal liability for actions taken in good faith (sections 10J, 18).\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Victorian electricity and gas businesses (licence holders, operators, contractors).\n- Workers and the public (safety oversight).\n- Government bodies like the Australian Energy Regulator (information sharing).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nIt consolidates previously separate electrical and gas safety offices into one body, streamlining safety regulation while ensuring accountability through ministerial oversight, corporate planning, and public transparency."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on available information, the Act appears to have remained broadly consistent with its original purpose of establishing Energy Safe Victoria as the dedicated energy safety regulator for Victoria. While amendments over time have likely refined its powers and updated references to align with national energy market reforms, the core scope — independent safety oversight of electricity, gas, and pipelines — does not appear to have materially shifted from the original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Establishes a statutory body (Energy Safe Victoria) with its own governance, powers, and accountability structures — these institutional frameworks add legal complexity","Operates across multiple regulated industries simultaneously (electricity, gas, pipelines), each with their own technical standards and sub-regimes","Intersects with numerous other Victorian and Commonwealth laws (e.g., Electricity Safety Act 1998, Gas Safety Act 1997, Pipelines Act 2005, national energy legislation)","Involves delegated legislative powers — ESV can make or influence subordinate rules and standards, creating a layered regulatory structure","Licensing and disciplinary provisions involve procedural fairness (the right to a fair process) obligations, adding legal nuance","Limited legislative text was provided for analysis, meaning full complexity cannot be precisely assessed from the supplied material"],"plain_english_summary":"Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005 creates Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), the independent regulator for electricity, gas and pipelines in Victoria, governing industry businesses, licensed tradespeople, employers/property owners and consumers affected by energy safety.  \n\nIt centralises safety oversight—setting and enforcing standards, licensing and investigating incidents—so the industry is accountable and risks to people and infrastructure are reduced."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/energy-safe-victoria-act-2005","history":"/api/acts/energy-safe-victoria-act-2005/history","analysis":"/api/acts/energy-safe-victoria-act-2005/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/energy-safe-victoria-act-2005/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/energy-safe-victoria-act-2005/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/energy-safe-victoria-act-2005/documents"}}