Apply for an electricity or gas licence

Before you start your licence application

If you are considering applying for an electricity or gas licence, read the relevant guidance documentation as a first step.
Some key things to consider before you start:

• Ensure you understand the Victorian licensing framework and the regulatory obligations relevant to the activity you are proposing to undertake.
• Identify all parties involved with your proposed activity, and ensure that everyone who will be engaging in a relevant activity is applying for a licence.
• Make sure you are ready to submit your application. You must be able to provide all information and documents necessary to demonstrate you are technically capable and financially viable, but do not delay in making an application once you are ready.

Preparing your application

Your application must contain all the information outlined in the guidance notes (below) for your specific licence type.

Once you have prepared all of the relevant information we suggest that you contact us to discuss your application.

It is your responsibility to provide the commission with accurate, relevant and complete documentation. As is set out in the guidance notes, we may need you to provide additional information about your application. We may also ask you to make changes to the form and content of the application.

Lodging your application

You must submit two copies of the application — one hard copy and one electronic copy. The hard copy of the application should be delivered to:

Manager, Licensing and Standards, Essential Services Commission

Level 37, 2 Lonsdale St Melbourne VIC 3000 

The electronic version of the application including attachments should be e-mailed to the following address: licensing@esc.vic.gov.au.

Publication of your licence application 

Once we are satisfied your application is complete, we will publish it on our website and seek submissions from interested parties. The application advertised via a public notice in The Age. 

The consultation period for applications is usually for four weeks.

Where an application contains material that you identify as commercial-in-confidence and we agree with that classification, we will not publish or provide that information to third parties without your consent. The guidance notes provide more information on the commission’s approach to commercial-in-confidence material. 

Submissions 

Submissions we receive may be published on the commission’s website (except those that are commercial-in-confidence). We will notify you in writing if we receive any submissions. You will have an opportunity to respond to the submissions and to clarify any issues that have been raised.

Considering your application 

Your application will be formally considered once the submission period has closed. In making our decision we review all material relevant to your application including:

• all of the material you have provided as part of your application
• the content of any submissions we received about your application 
• your responses to the submissions. 

We may also consider material from other sources including advice from external consultants and others regarding your application. We will always give you the opportunity to respond to any adverse comments or information we have received from external sources prior to making our decision.

Notification of our decision 

We will notify you of the commission’s decision in writing. This decision is also posted on our website and in the Victorian Government Gazette. We will also notify anyone who made a submission regarding your application.