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

On this page

You’ll learn about Energy Safe’s Authorised Officers on this page. Authorised Officers are government inspectors that help to keep people safe.

Authorised Officers:

• are appointed under Victorian Government laws
• have legal powers
• may enter a premises in certain circumstances
• always carry official identification – and will show if asked.

Authorised Officers

Energy Safe’s Authorised Officers are government inspectors. They’re appointed under Victoria’s energy safety laws. These laws include:

• the Electricity Safety Act 1998 – for the purposes of that Act and the Electricity Industry Act 2000
• Gas Safety Act 1997 – for the purposes of that Act and the Gas Industry Act 2001.

Some Authorised Officers appointed under the Gas Safety Act 1997 are also appointed as Inspectors for the purposes of the Pipelines Act 2005.

Legal powers

Authorised Officers have legal powers to:

• enter premises in defined circumstances, and
• check that electricity, gas and pipeline activities, infrastructure and equipment are safe and comply with those energy safety laws.

Identifying an Energy Safe Authorised Officer

All Authorised Officers carry official Authorised Officer identification. Authorised Officers will show identification on request.

Entry to premises

Non residential premises

Authorised Officers may enter non residential premises to conduct compliance checks under energy safety laws. These checks occur during normal business hours.

Compliance check location examples

• Retail premises
• Warehouses
• Worksites

Consent is not required for these compliance inspections.

Emergencies

Authorised Officers may enter any premises, at any time, if there’s:

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

For example, if there is a serious gas or electrical safety hazard.

Investigations

If an Authorised Officer is investigating a suspected offence, they may:

• enter with your consent, or
• enter under the authority of a court issued warrant.

Entry to residential premises

Authorised Officers require written consent to enter a private residence for compliance checks, unless:

• there is an emergency, or
• a warrant is in place.

Residential compliance visits are normally conducted between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Reasonable notice is given for these checks.

Powers during a visit

Once lawfully on site, Authorised Officers may:

• inspect and search relevant areas
• take photos or video
• make notes or sketches
• review and copy documents related to the activity being checked
• seize items if necessary – to prevent concealment, loss or destruction of evidence.
• test or make safe equipment/installations where safety is at risk.
• request:
  • information
  • documents
  • reasonable assistance if reasonably necessary for the Authorised Officer’s work.

Obligations on occupiers and others

It is an offence to obstruct or hinder an Authorised Officer exercising their powers, without reasonable excuse.

Without reasonable excuse, a person must not:

• refuse access to land or premises that an Authorised Officer is authorised to enter, or
• obstruct or hinder an Authorised Officer or anyone assisting them.

Conduct of Authorised Officers

Authorised Officers must:

• show ID on request
• cause as little disruption or damage as possible
• stay only as long as reasonably necessary
• leave the premises as close as possible to its original condition
• provide a receipt and/or a notice if items are seized.

Note: if notice is required on departure and no-one is present, notice will be left in a visible place.

Compliance outcomes

If non‑compliance or a safety issue is identified, Energy Safe Victoria acts in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy – using a proportionate, risk‑based approach focused on preventing harm and promoting compliance.

Further information about Energy Safe Victoria’s compliance and enforcement approach is available in the Compliance and Enforcement Policy.