This Act regulates offshore electricity infrastructure by:

  (a)   prohibiting unauthorised offshore renewable energy infrastructure and offshore electricity transmission infrastructure in the Commonwealth offshore area; and

  (b)   providing for the Minister to declare areas that are suitable for offshore renewable energy infrastructure; and

  (c)   providing for the Minister to grant various kinds of licences authorising offshore renewable energy infrastructure and offshore electricity transmission infrastructure in the Commonwealth offshore area.

Offshore renewable energy infrastructure is offshore infrastructure (such as an offshore wind farm) for generating electricity or other forms of energy from renewable energy resources, and storing or transmitting the electricity or energy.

Offshore electricity transmission infrastructure is offshore infrastructure (such as an undersea cable and other infrastructure associated with the cable) for storing or transmitting electricity (including electricity not generated from renewable sources).

For the purpose of regulating offshore electricity infrastructure, this Act establishes the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar and provides for the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority to be the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator for the purposes of this Act.

The Registrar is responsible for keeping the Register of Offshore Infrastructure Licences, and for other administrative tasks.

The Regulator is responsible for the management and operation of offshore infrastructure, and for monitoring, investigating and enforcing compliance in the Commonwealth offshore area.

Work health and safety is provided for by applying the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to offshore infrastructure activities. This Act also applies State and Territory laws in relation to offshore infrastructure.