Some people or businesses who distribute gas within embedded networks may be exempt from gas licensing requirements. These people may need to report their activities to us.
Information on gas licence exemptions for supplying to gas embedded networks
- 1 January 2026Gas GEO reporting period for 2025 starts
- 30 June 2026Gas GEO reports for 2025 fall due
Overview
Gas Embedded Network General Exemption Order 2025
In Victoria, if a person provides services by means of a distribution pipeline, they will need a licence from the Essential Services Commission to do so or be exempt from that requirement.
The Gas Embedded Networks General Exemption Order 2025 (GEN GEO 2025) is an Order in Council made under the Gas Industry Act 2001. The GEN GEO 2025 was made on 25 February 2025 and exempts persons who provide services, by means of a distribution pipeline within an embedded network from the requirement to hold a licence, subject to the terms and conditions of the GEN GEO 2025.
The GEN GEO 2025 does not exempt persons from the requirement to obtain a licence to sell gas to retail customers.
It imposes a number of obligations on exempt persons. This includes mandatory annual reporting requirements to the commission and compliance with other specified regulatory instruments and becoming a member of the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV).
Visit the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action's website for more information on electricity and gas embedded networks, including advice on consumer protections, relevant codes and other matters.
Does the GEN GEO 2025 exempt persons who sell gas from holding a licence?
No. It only exempts persons who provide services by means of a distribution pipeline to customers within an embedded network.
An example of this is where a distribution pipeline connects a customer's gas supply point to the 'parent' meter of a building.
A person who sells gas to retail customers (whether within an embedded gas network or otherwise) must hold a licence issued by the commission.
Will the GEN GEO 2025 only apply to existing gas supply embedded networks in operation on or before 25 February 2025?
Yes. The GEN GEO 2025 only applies to existing gas supply embedded networks which were in operation on or before 25 February 2025.
Exempt distributors obligations under the GEN GEO 2025
The GEN GEO 2025 includes requirements that certain information be provided to customers within the gas embedded networks, and to the commission.
Clauses 10 and 11 of the GEN GEO 2025 require exempt distributors to provide a report, in the form and manner required by the commission, on or before 30 June each year in respect of its distribution activities for the preceding calendar year (i.e. January to December).
Operators of gas embedded networks must now submit their report by June 2026
The first report is due on or before 30 June 2026 for the period 25 February 2025 (being when the GEN GEO came into effect) to 31 December 2025.
The first report can therefore now be submitted.
Instructions on making a report
Clauses 10(2) and 11(2) require that the reports provided to the commission be in the form and manner we require.
A reporting template has been provided to facilitate submissions in the required form and manner under clauses 10(2) and 11(2) of the GEN GEO 2025. The reporting template to use can be found on the "Resources" tab at the top of this page.
It is to be provided to exemptionregister@esc.vic.gov.au by the due date shown above. You will be able to list more than one site in any report provided.
Got a question?
If you have queries about the GEN GEO 2025, email us at exemptionregister@esc.vic.gov.au