Energy Safe Authorised Officers – who we are and what we do

Authorised Officers

Who are Authorised Officers?

Authorised Officers work for Energy Safe Victoria. They are appointed under Victorian energy safety laws.

They help keep people and property safe by:

• inspecting electrical, gas and pipeline equipment
• investigating safety issues
• responding to emergencies
• checking that people and businesses are meeting their energy safety obligations.

What can Authorised Officers do?

Authorised Officers have powers under Victorian energy safety laws to:

• enter premises in certain circumstances
• inspect electricity, gas and pipeline equipment, installations and activities
• check whether people and businesses are complying with energy safety laws
• investigate safety risks and incidents
• gather information and evidence relevant to an investigation.

How do I know an Authorised Officer is legitimate?

All Authorised Officers carry official identification.

If an Authorised Officer visits your premises, you can ask to see their identification before allowing access. They must show their identification when asked.

What can I expect when dealing with an Authorised Officer?

Authorised Officers must act professionally and put safety first.

They must:

• show their identification if asked
• minimise disruption and damage
• stay only as long as necessary
• leave the premises as close as possible to its original condition
• provide a receipt or notice if they take any items.

If no one is present when they leave, they will leave a notice in a visible place.

What happens if an Authorised Officer finds a safety issue?

If an Authorised Officer identifies a safety issue or non-compliance, Energy Safe Victoria will take proportionate action.

This may include (but is not limited to) providing education or guidance or issuing:

• an official warning or infringement notice
• an improvement notice requiring the issue to be fixed, or
• a prohibition notice requiring unsafe activity to stop.

Read our compliance and enforcement policy to learn more about Energy Safe's approach to compliance and enforcement.

When can an Authorised Officer enter a premises?

Authorised Officers can only enter a premises in situations allowed by law. The rules depend on the type of property and the reason for the visit.

They may enter at any time if there is:

• an emergency
• an immediate risk to people or property.

Entry to businesses and other non-residential properties

Authorised Officers can enter non-residential properties to carry out compliance checks under energy safety laws.

Examples include:

• shops and retail premises
• warehouses
• worksites
• other business premises.

Compliance checks are usually carried out during normal business hours. Consent is not required to enter a non-residential property for a compliance check.

Authorised Officers may also enter a non-residential property to investigate a suspected offence where:

• permitted by law, or
• a court has issued a warrant.

Entry to residential properties

Authorised Officers need written consent to enter a private home, unless:

• there is an emergency
• there is an immediate risk to people or property
• a court has issued a warrant.

A planned compliance visit at a residential property will usually occur between 8 am and 6 pm. The timing of a planned visit may be negotiated between the resident and the Authorised Officer.

What can an Authorised Officer do during a visit?

When an Authorised Officer is lawfully on a property, they may:

• inspect relevant areas
• take photographs or videos
• make notes, measurements or sketches
• review and copy relevant documents
• request information, documents or assistance
• test equipment or installations
• take action to make equipment or installations safe if there is a safety risk
• take items when necessary to prevent evidence from being concealed, lost or destroyed.

What are my responsibilities?

You must not prevent an Authorised Officer from carrying out their lawful duties without a reasonable excuse.

This means you must not:

• refuse access when an Authorised Officer is legally allowed to enter the premises
• obstruct or interfere with an Authorised Officer
• obstruct or interfere with anyone assisting an Authorised Officer.

Relevant laws

Victorian energy safety laws include:

• the Electricity Safety Act 1998
• the Gas Safety Act 1997
• the Pipelines Act 2005
• regulations made under these Acts.

Authorised Officers appointed under the Pipelines Act 2005 are referred to as ‘Inspectors’.

You can find a full list of the laws administered by Energy Safe Victoria on our legislation and regulations page.