On 29 January 2026, the AEMC published a consultation paper for a rule change request to embed and formalise AEMO’s gas sector cyber security roles and responsibilities under the National Gas Rules (NGR). The request was submitted by the Honourable Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy.  

The rule change request seeks to:

1. establish cyber security as a function for AEMO in the NGR
2. harmonise AEMO’s cyber security roles and responsibilities with the electricity sector to support a strategic and coordinated approach to cyber security in the energy system.

The proponent proposes to explicitly reference cyber security within the NGR and to clarify AEMO’s role in relation to cyber security threats and coordinating the response to any cyber security incidents by adding four new functions in the rules. This would enable AEMO to recover fees and charges it incurs in carrying out these functions, and ensure statutory immunity extends to the exercise of its functions.

These four functions would include:

• Function 1 – cyber security incidents coordinator 
• Function 2 – supporting cyber preparedness and uplift 
• Function 3 – examining risks and providing advice to government and industry 
• Function 4 – facilitating the distribution of critical cyber security information

We are interested in stakeholder views on the issues raised in the rule change request and the proposed solution.

Next steps

Submissions to the consultation paper close 26 February 2026. We will publish a draft determination for the rule change on 7 May 2026.