About ESV

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is the independent technical regulator responsible for electricity, gas and pipeline safety in Victoria.

Our role is broad and ranges from overseeing the design, construction and maintenance of electricity, gas and pipeline networks across the state ensuring every gas and electrical appliance in your home meets safety and energy efficiency standards before it is sold.

We have a team of investigators who probe gas and electrical safety issues in homes and businesses across the state, and run community education campaigns that alert Victorians to potential dangers with energy. Our annual campaigns include Look up and Live, BBQ safety and awareness about the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning from gas appliances.

We also licence and register electricians, and issue and audit Certificates of Electrical Safety, which is your guarantee that electrical work has been performed by a qualified electrician.

ESV is led by Paul Fearon, the Director of Energy Safety, who is appointed under the Energy Safety Act 2005. This Act is administered by the Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon. Michael O'Brien.

ESV was created on 10 August 2005 with the passing of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005.  

Corporate structure and management responsibilities

Director of Energy Safety
Paul Fearon

We protect and assist the community by:

• working co-operatively and in consultation with the industry and community to facilitate safety outcomes
• developing and communicating safety and efficiency requirements and programs
• monitoring, auditing, and enforcing compliance with the requirements
• administering licensing, registration and approval systems that maintain safety standards and skills   

Our vision

Victoria will be a state where the community, industry and regulators share a strong commitment to the safe and efficient supply and use of electricity and gas. There is a similar commitment for pipeline safety.

To ensure their safety, the community and industry will demand that work involving electricity and gas is carried out only by workers who are skilled and appropriately trained. The industry workforce will have numbers sufficient to deliver community requirements into the future.
 
ESV will be nationally respected and recognised as a leader in safety regulation that facilitates safety and efficiency outcomes through strong communication and consultation, clear regulation, and fair audit and enforcement activities. These activities will be carried out by a highly skilled, professional and adaptable regulatory team who are leaders in their field, and are able to explain their actions and decisions.

Safety and efficiency will be delivered within a framework that is cost effective and fair for all parties. This framework will be consistently and openly communicated to the community and industry.

This will create a safer state for the benefit of all Victorians.

At ESV the following core values are expected from all our team and these values are expressed in our day to day actions, decisions and interactions with others.

Respect

We treat all staff and stakeholders with respect.

• We acknowledge the diversity of opinions, experience and skills of those with whom we interact
• We work to create and maintain a non threatening and positive workplace environment
• We actively listen and recognise that others may have a contribution to make
• We treat all internal and external stakeholders with respect and endeavour to earn their respect

Integrity

We will always act with integrity.

•  We behave in an open and honest way with all internal and external stakeholders

• We act impartially and without bias
• We uphold the values, and ensure others uphold the values, of ESV at all times

Partnerships

We work cooperatively together with internal and external colleagues, stakeholders and customers to achieve ESV's objectives. 

• We develop, maintain and continuously work to improve partnerships with both internal and external colleagues, stakeholders and customers
• We lead by example when interacting in partnership with others
• We recognise that the team’s strength is built on the contribution of all our stakeholders
• We look for new and improved ways to develop our relationships with our stakeholders

Accountability

We are accountable for all of our actions.

• We take full responsibility for all our actions
• We achieve our goals and outcomes within agreed and appropriate time frames
• We take responsibility for ensuring appropriate levels of knowledge, skills and abilities at ESV
• We communicate appropriately with all internal and external stakeholders.

Audit & Risk Committee

Energy Safe Victoria’s (ESV) Audit and Risk Committee (the Committee) oversees and reviews the processes of management and the internal and external audit functions with a view to assisting the Director of Energy Safety in achieving his governance responsibilities.

The Committee’s role is to assist the Director and in the discharge of responsibilities for risk management, financial reporting, compliance, internal control systems, audit activities and any other matters referred to him, by the Minister or the Government.

Chair

Mr Ian Cuthbertson

Members

• Dr Geoff White
• Mr Geoff Tory
• Dr Anne Astin

Charter

The Audit & Risk Committee Charter outlines the Committee's mission, roles and responsibilities, and the Committee's direction.