This code sets out the minimum standards for the operation and use of the Victorian gas distribution system.
Gas Distribution Code of Practice
Overview
The Gas Distribution Code of Practice sets out the minimum standards for the operation and use of the Victorian gas distribution system.
It includes requirements for:
- the operation of the distribution system
- connection and augmentation
- disconnection and reconnection
- standards and testing of metering installations
- curtailment
- customer dispute resolution
- deemed distribution contract requirements.
We review and amend the code of practice to reflect legislative and statutory requirements, and to make sure it meets changing requirements.
This page allows you to access amendments that are yet to commence and past versions of the code of practice.
Current Gas Distribution Code of Practice
Reviewing the Gas Distribution System Code of Practice
We have reviewed and remade the code of practice to make obligations fit for purpose, align the code of practice with recent changes to the National Gas Rules, and to support policy developments.
The new Gas Distribution Code of Practice (version 1) took effect on 1 October 2024.
The new rules on gas connection charges will take effect on 1 January 2025.
Performance and Compliance Reporting Templates
Previous versions
Previous versions of the Gas Distribution System Code
On 1 December 2021 the Gas Distribution System Code was deemed a code of practice made under Part 6 of the Essential Services Commission Act 2001. Below are the versions of the Gas Distribution System Code that were applicable prior to this change of legal status of the code. The numbering of the code versions will continue until a review is undertaken to reflect its changed legal status.
Previous amendments
Previous amendments to the Gas Distribution System Code
Performance Reporting Templates
Performance Reporting Templates
We have introduced new annual performance reporting obligations on gas distributors on unaccounted for gas, guaranteed service level payments and gas abolishments.
A gas distributor must provide the commission with guaranteed service level data and abolishments data on an annual basis, following completion of a financial year by 30 November of that year. These obligations commence at the end of the 2023-24 financial year. The first reports are due by 30 November 2024 for the financial year 2023-24.
A gas distributor must provide the commission with the unaccounted for gas (UAFG) data for the previous five years on an annual basis, following completion of a financial year by 30 November of that year. This obligation commences at the end of the 2023-24 financial year. The first report is due by 30 November 2024 for data for the calendar years 2019-23. The data to be provided must indicate whether the data has been settled between the distributor and retailers. Where settled data is not available, a distributor must provide the most recently available unsettled data for each of the previous five years, using estimates based on actual available data at the time of reporting.