With the Labor government securing a second term, Australia’s energy landscape enters a new phase — one that promises continuity, but also accelerates reform. For commercial and industrial energy users, this means renewed investment in renewables, an evolving approach to gas security, and a stronger push for electrification and efficiency.

But it’s not just about energy policy — it’s about how these changes translate into operational costs, investment risks, and strategic decisions for your business. Here’s our take on what’s next, and what actions you should consider now to stay ahead.

Gas Strategy: Stability Over Intervention

Labor says it's staying the course on its market-led approach to gas. Rather than adopting a blanket reservation policy, the government is relying on tools like the Heads of Agreement with gas exporters, price caps during emergencies, and ongoing oversight from the ACCC to manage domestic supply. This gas strategy remains a cornerstone of the government’s broader energy policy approach.

This approach aims to balance investor confidence with the need to avoid industrial gas shortages. However, with continued concerns around east coast supply and recent ACCC projections pointing to shortfalls, there’s no room for complacency.

What does this mean for you?

If gas plays a material role in your operations, you can’t afford to wait. The combination of global market pressure, weak storage infrastructure, and looming policy adjustments means contract timing and supplier strategy are more critical than ever.

We recommend reviewing your existing agreements, assessing your exposure to spot rates, and exploring whether your long-term demand profile could support a more strategic procurement approach — one that improves price certainty, flexibility, and supplier alignment. Even businesses with modest gas usage may benefit from price modelling or fuel-switching scenarios to assess cost exposure and opportunities for efficiency or fuel replacement.

Electricity Reform: A New Phase of Grid Transformation

Labor’s flagship Rewiring the Nation initiative remains central to its clean energy ambitions. This multibillion-dollar program will fund transmission upgrades, unlock renewable generation zones, and support firming infrastructure like pumped hydro and battery storage.

While the ultimate goal is a more stable and decarbonised grid, the transition period brings uncertainty. Transmission build delays, renewable project bottlenecks, and wholesale market volatility are likely to persist — particularly in states like Victoria and Queensland, which are undergoing major network change as a result of long-term energy policy commitments.

What does this mean for you?

Expect price swings and regional constraints to remain a feature of the NEM in the short to medium term. If your business has large or geographically diverse sites, this could translate into unforeseen costs.

Our advice: work with us to understand your network tariff structures, explore whether your metering arrangements allow for flexibility, and consider whether a shift toward behind-the-meter solutions — like embedded networks, solar PV or batteries — could improve resilience and reduce exposure.
Utilizer’s portfolio strategy reviews can help identify where the risks and opportunities lie.

Energy Efficiency & Electrification

In line with its Net Zero 2050 target, Labor is expected to expand funding and regulatory support for commercial electrification and energy efficiency. This will likely include new grant rounds, emissions reporting updates, and clearer decarbonisation pathways for hard-to-abate sectors.

At the state level, programs like Victoria’s Energy Upgrades (VEU) and NSW’s Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) offer meaningful incentives for businesses investing in energy efficiency and electrification. While these schemes were traditionally focused on lighting and basic controls, they now support a much broader scope — including electrification of gas hot water boilers, heat pump installations, HVAC upgrades, refrigeration improvements, compressed air system optimisation, and even battery storage for solar PV in some cases.

For energy-intensive businesses, these incentives present a strategic opportunity to lower long-term energy costs, reduce emissions, and enhance control over site operations. Well-planned projects not only improve energy performance but often deliver payback periods that make strong commercial sense, particularly in the face of rising energy prices and increased scrutiny around carbon exposure.

While some technical limitations remain — such as the need for very high-temperature heat or steam in certain industrial applications — these challenges can often be navigated through staged implementation, hybrid systems, or detailed feasibility assessments backed by measurement and verification (M&V).

What does this mean for you?

Energy efficiency is one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways to improve your business’s energy performance. Projects that reduce reliance on gas, lower consumption, and support electrification not only drive savings — they also position your business to respond confidently to future regulatory and market shifts.

At Utilizer, we can help you assess your site’s potential, align with relevant incentives, and build a energy roadmap that delivers both immediate value and long-term strategic advantage.

Retailer Oversight: A Shift Toward Transparency & Accountability

Rising electricity and gas prices have brought renewed attention to the role of energy retailers — particularly in how they serve business customers, disclose pricing structures, and support informed decision-making. While major reforms haven’t been confirmed, there’s increasing regulatory focus on improving market transparency and fairness, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

These conversations are likely to shape future iterations of national and state-level energy policy. This includes continued improvements to comparison tools, greater emphasis on clearer contract terms, and ongoing reviews into default market offers and retail margin practices.

What does this mean for you?

If you're not reviewing your energy contracts regularly, you may be paying more than you need to — especially if you're on a legacy agreement that no longer matches your consumption profile. Businesses with seasonal usage, split tenancy, or growing site footprints can be at risk of inefficiencies.

Now is the time to take a closer look at your procurement approach. Utilizer helps ensure you're comparing like with like — not just on price, but on structure, flexibility, and long-term value. That means more confidence in your contract decisions and better leverage when engaging with retailers.

Complexity Requires Clarity

Labor’s re-election sets the stage for continued energy reform — bringing with it both complexity and opportunity. Businesses that act early, understand their exposure, and plan strategically will be best placed to adapt and thrive. At Utilizer, we specialise in helping you make sense of evolving energy policy, procurement, and pricing — so you can move forward with confidence.

Speak with one of our expert energy consultants about how the next phase of energy policy reform could impact your business — and how to turn policy change into competitive advantage.