| Agency Name: | Australian Energy Regulator |
| Formed: | July 2005 |
| Headquarters: | Melbourne |
| Employees: | 146[1] |
| Chief1 Name: | Elizabeth Develin |
| Chief1 Position: | Chief Executive |
| Parent Agency: | Australian Competition & Consumer Commission |
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is the regulatory authority for the wholesale electricity and gas markets in Australia. The AER is a part of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, and enforces the rules established by the Australian Energy Market Commission.
The AER was established in July 2005. The next year all 13 bodies previously responsible for energy regulation had transferred responsibility to the AER.[2] Decisions made by the regulator are subject to appeal.
The AER's current functions are focused on regulating the natural monopoly transmission and distribution sectors of the national electricity market, monitoring the wholesale electricity market and enforcing electricity market rules. The AER's regulatory functions and powers are conferred upon it by the national electricity law and the national electricity rules.
Under the national electricity law and national electricity rules, the AER's key responsibilities at the present time include:
The AER board currently has five members who are statutory appointments. Part IIIAA of the Competition and Consumer Act provides that two of the members of the AER must be chosen by the Commonwealth, with three of the members chosen by the States and Territories.
Clare Savage is the chair of the AER, and Jim Cox is the deputy chair. The remaining members are Eric Groom, Catriona Lowe and Justin Oliver. The chief executive officer of the AER is Elizabeth Develin.[3]