About essential users under the Act
One aspect of the response to a national liquid fuel emergency relates to the way in which essential users are identified.
Essential users of petroleum products are those users who contribute to the provision of goods or services which, if reduced in supply or availability, would be likely to seriously damage the health or safety of the community.
During an emergency an essential user may be entitled to fuel above and beyond that which is available under the prevailing bulk allocation or retail rationing scheme. This will vary from emergency to emergency.
Liquid Fuel Emergency (Activities—Essential Users) Determination 2008
Section 11 of the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 grants the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism the power, by issuing a legal direction, to identify a person or organisation as an essential user of fuel. These essential users may receive priority access to petroleum products in the event of a national liquid fuel emergency. A determination under section 11 has been put in place.
The purpose of the Liquid Fuel Emergency (Activities—Essential Users) Determination 2008 is to provide a predetermined list of essential user activities. This allows for greater planning and preparation, so that if a liquid fuel emergency does occur, there will be an existing strategy to meet the needs of these Essential Users.
Those activities listed in the Determination include:
- an ambulance service
- a corrective service
- a fire or rescue service
- a police service
- a public transport service
- a State Emergency Service or an equivalent organisation
- taxi services.
Ordinary user status
During an emergency users not listed on the Determination will continue to receive an equitable share of their normal fuel supply depending on the particular circumstances and the available fuel supply.
Related pages
More information
For more information about essential users under the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 email ret@ret.gov.au.