Offshore electricity infrastructure framework: regulations and cost recovery

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Update
On 22 March 2022 the Australian Government released for consultation draft regulations and cost recovery implementation statement for the offshore electricity infrastructure framework.
We received 36 submissions from industry, state governments, non-government organisations and the community in response to the draft regulations and the cost recovery implementation statement.
Overall submissions were supportive of the draft regulations and cost-recovery arrangements. In response to feedback, the government has made changes to the regulations to improve their operation, and updated the cost recovery implementation statement to reflect increased industry interest and readiness in applying for licences.
See the regulations, explanatory statements, and cost recovery implementation statement:
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Regulations 2022
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2022
Explanatory Statement for the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Regulations 2022
Explanatory Statement for the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Regulations 2022

Overview

We are consulting on the draft regulations and cost recovery implementation statement for the offshore electricity infrastructure framework.

The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 and the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Act 2021 will commence by 2 June 2022. The Acts will establish a regulatory framework for offshore electricity infrastructure in Australian waters.

The Australian Government will release the regulations in stages. We are seeking input on the exposure drafts of the first set of regulations. They set out arrangements for the:

licensing scheme
fees and levies
spatial referencing (geodetic datum)
treatment of pre-existing infrastructure.

We are also seeking feedback on the proposed cost recovery. The modelling for the fees and levies cover the anticipated government costs to implement and operate the framework. This includes:

administering licences
managing compliance and enforcement activities
declaring areas
developing supporting legislation and policies.

Our department, the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar and the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator will administer the framework on a fully cost recovered basis.