On 19 April 2017, the Australian Government directed the ACCC to conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into the supply of and demand for natural gas in Australia, as well as to publish regular information on the supply and pricing of gas for the next three years.
On 25 July 2019, Treasurer the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, wrote to the ACCC extending the ACCC’s inquiry into the gas market until December 2025.
Scope of inquiry
Matters to be monitored and considered by the inquiry will include:
- the pricing and availability of offers to supply gas
- the volumes of gas supplied or available for current or future supply, including natural gas extracted or produced in Australia, or imported into Australia
- the pricing, volume and availability of gas for domestic supply compared to the pricing, volume and availability of gas for export
- the pricing, volume and availability of other goods or services, such as goods or services for drilling, storing or processing gas, that enable, assist or facilitate the supply of gas or gas transportation services in Australia.
The ACCC will also work with Dr. Michael Vertigan to recommend longer term transparency measures. The scope of this work will cover the full supply chain, including producers, transporters and retailers.
Companies that would like to share their recent experience in the gas market, or broader concerns about the gas industry can email the ACCC at gas.inquiry@accc.gov.au.
Timeline
Stages | Date |
---|---|
Terms of reference | 19 April 2017 |
September 2017 interim report | 25 September 2017 |
December 2017 interim report | 13 December 2017 |
April 2018 interim report | 27 April 2018 |
July 2018 interim report | 31 July 2018 |
December 2018 interim report | 18 December 2018 |
Transparency recommendations | 21 December 2018 |
Reserves & resources reporting framework | 19 February 2019 |
April 2019 interim report | 29 May 2019 |
Further transparency recommendations | 13 June 2019 |
July 2019 interim report | 22 August 2019 |
International prices | 3 September 2019 |
January 2020 interim report | 18 February 2020 |
Reporting timetable | 29 April 2020 |
July 2020 interim report | 17 August 2020 |
January 2021 interim report | 16 February 2021 |
July 2021 interim report | 17 August 2021 |
Transportation prices | 17 August 2021 |
Review of upstream competition and the timeliness of supply | 15 September 2021 |
January 2022 interim report | 16 February 2022 |
LNG netback price series review | 6 May 2022 |
LNG netback price series | 16 May 2022 |
Media releases
ACCC to investigate and report on Australian gas markets and market transparency - 20 April 2017
Interim gas report finds substantial shortfall for east coast likely in 2018 - 25 September 2017
Some improvements in gas market, but prices still too high - 12 December 2017
More transparency on gas pricing - 27 April 2018
East coast gas market conditions have eased, but more gas required to lower prices - 2 August 2018
Publication of gas export parity prices to improve transparency - 2 October 2018
Investment required for lower priced gas - 18 December 2018
East coast gas prices need to follow export prices down - 30 May 2019
East coast gas market still tight - 22 August 2019
East coast gas prices appear too high and future supply is uncertain - 18 February 2020
Domestic gas users paying too much - 17 August 2020
Gas prices improve for customers but lower prices may not last - 16 February 2021