The Gas Pipelines Package is a set of reforms that simplifies the gas access framework while continuing to support safe, efficient, and reliable pipeline investment and operation by:
- posing a more effective constraint on the exercise of market power by pipeline service providers;
- facilitating better access to pipelines that would not otherwise provide such access, while also minimising the cost and risks associated with regulation where there are no third-party users;
- supporting commercial negotiations between shippers and pipeline service providers through increased transparency, including greater price information, and improvements to the negotiation and dispute resolution frameworks;
- introducing reporting requirements for stand-alone compression service facilities and gas storage facilities to align with those that apply to gas pipelines; and
- streamlining governance arrangements to improve regulatory efficiency and clarity.
The Gas Pipelines Package commenced in other Australian jurisdictions on 2 March 2023 following extensive national consultation under the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial framework.
The Western Australian consultation package sets out the State’s intention to adopt relevant amendments from the Gas Pipelines Package and seeks stakeholder feedback.
Stakeholder consultation
Feedback on the bulk of the policy underpinning the Gas Pipelines Package is not being sought as this has already been agreed to by national Energy Ministers. However, stakeholders are invited to provide written submissions on:
- any implementation issues associated with the draft adoption instruments;
- the proposed approach to enabling new Part 18A (Compression and storage terms and prices) in the Western Australian National Gas Rules; and
- the regulatory treatment of the Goldfields Gas Pipeline, which currently operates under dual regulation.
Consultation closes at 5:00pm (AWST) on Wednesday, 9 December 2026.
Submissions can be emailed to gasnetworkpolicy@deed.wa.gov.au and stakeholders are asked to provide detailed supporting evidence of direct impacts where possible.
Please note:
- late submissions may not be considered; and
- submissions will be published on the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification’s website unless confidentiality is specifically requested.
Proposed changes to the Gas Access Funding Regulations and Local Provisions Regulations
The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification is also consulting on consequential amendments to the Economic Regulation Authority and Western Australian Energy Disputes Arbitrator's cost recovery frameworks, which will arise from WA’s adoption of the Gas Pipelines Package.
For more information on these proposed amendments, visit the Gas Access Funding Regulations and Local Provisions Regulations consultation page.
