About ESC

The Government of Victoria established the Essential Services Commission on 1 January 2002 under the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (The Act). The Act establishes our organisation as the primary economic regulator of essential services in Victoria. These services include electricity, gas, water and sewerage, ports, rail access and export grain handling. We also provide advice to the Government in relation to these services and others in the transport and insurance sectors.

In undertaking our role we are guided by the Essential Services Commission Act and other industry specific legislation. The Act states that our primary objective is to ‘protect the long term interests of Victorian consumers with regard to the price, quality and reliability of essential services’.

Our role differs for each regulated industry but generally involves regulating prices, monitoring service standards and ensuring consumer protection. Our decisions have a significant impact on the consumers and users of the services we regulate, as well as on the regulated businesses. 

Find Key Contacts at the Commission.

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