Compliance and enforcement

We expect regulated companies to abide by their licence conditions and/or the applicable legislation. Adherence to these requirements ensures markets operate as they should and consumers are protected. 

We regulate to monitor compliance, report on licensee activities and enforce regulations.  We work with licensees to encourage and support compliance wherever possible. However, if we think companies may be breaching the obligations of their licence or other relevant conditions or requirements, we have a number of powers under energy and water legislation to take enforcement action against the regulated company. 

In particular, we have the following powers:

• to make an enforcement order;
• and to impose a financial penalty.

A failure to comply with an enforcement order and/or a failure to pay the financial penalty can be enforced through legal proceedings and/or lead to revocation of licence.

Enforcement action holds licensees accountable, acts as a deterrent, and is a way to make things right when customers are affected, financially or otherwise as well as prevent future consumer harm. 

You can find more information on how we carry out our Compliance and Enforcement activities by clicking the links below.