About the Commissioner
On 23 September 2024 the Australian Government announced that Mr. Tony Mahar has been appointed as the new Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC). Please note that Mr. Mahar has not yet commenced in the role.
Read the Minister's announcement.
John Sheldon (current interim Commissioner)
Mr. John Sheldon is the current interim Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner while the process to permanently fill this important, independent position is fully completed.
Mr. Sheldon is a senior Commonwealth public servant within the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW). He has extensive experience of working on social licence and community engagement issues across a range of policy and delivery areas, including energy infrastructure and transmission projects.
Mr. Sheldon commenced as interim Commissioner on 2 April 2024.
Andrew Dyer (2015-2024)
Mr Andrew Dyer commenced in the role of National Wind Farm Commissioner in November 2015. The role and name of the Commissioner was expanded to the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner on 26 March 2021.
After nearly nine years of service as Commissioner, Mr. Dyer retired as the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner on 31 March 2024.
What we do
The Commissioner’s role is guided by the updated Terms of Reference issued by the then Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, in March 2021. The Office of the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner helps community members address their concerns about wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new major transmission projects. The Office also identifies and promotes best practices, working with stakeholders from all levels of government, industry and the community.
The Office performs the following roles:
- facilitating the referral and resolution of complaints received from concerned residents about proposed or operating wind farms, large-scale solar farms (5 MW or more), energy storage facilities such as pumped storage hydropower (pumped hydro), large-scale batteries (1 MW or more) and new major transmission projects;
- identifying and promoting best practices related to the planning, development and operation of energy projects, including standards and compliance, complaint handling procedures and community engagement; and
- providing greater transparency on information related to wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new major transmission projects in Australia.
Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Terms of Reference 2021-25
The role of the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner was announced by the Australian Government on 26 March 2021 expanding and replacing the role of the existing National Wind Farm Commissioner.
The Commissioner will work collaboratively with all levels of government, scientists, experts, industry and the community to resolve complaints from community members about proposed and operational wind farms, large scale solar farms (5 MW or more), energy storage facilities, such as pumped hydro and large scale batteries (1 MW or more) and new major transmission projects.
The Commissioner will refer complaints about wind farms, large scale solar farms, storage facilities and new major transmission projects to the relevant respondent or authority and help ensure that they are properly addressed.
The Commissioner will lead efforts to promote best practices, information availability, and provide a central, trusted source for dissemination of information.
The Commissioner, supported by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will report to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and provide an Annual Report to the Australian Parliament on delivering against these Terms of Reference. The Commissioner may also, by agreement with the Minister, lead reviews relevant to the Commissioner's role and expertise.
The Commissioner’s role will not duplicate or override the important statutory responsibilities of other jurisdictions, such as those relating to the planning and approval of wind farms, large scale solar farms, storage facilities and new major transmission projects.
The role of the Commissioner has been extended until 31 October 2025. The role will be re-evaluated by the Australian Government prior to that date.
Our policies
The Office receives and handles complaints in accordance with our Complaints Handling Policy and Information Handling Policy.