On 30 September 2022 National Cabinet agreed to establish the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC) within the streamlined model of Australia’s federal relations architecture. This council replaces the former Energy National Cabinet Reform Committee, which was preceded by the COAG Energy Council.

The ECMC is a forum for the Commonwealth, Australian states and territories, and New Zealand to work together on priority issues of national significance and key reforms in the energy and climate change sectors. ECMC is chaired by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP.

ECMC works closely with Energy Consumers Australia, and has oversight of the following energy market institutions responsible for the operation of national energy markets:

• the Energy Advisory Panel (EAP)—whole of system oversight through transition
• the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)—the rule maker and market development adviser
• the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)—the system operator
• the Australian Energy Regulator (AER)—the economic regulator and rule enforcer.

Priorities

On 15 August 2025, the ECMC agreed to the following priorities for the forward 12-months. 

ECMC recognises that each jurisdiction may pursue its own policies on energy transformation according to its unique needs, circumstances and jurisdictional policies, while working collaboratively to deliver the best outcomes at a national level. This will be achieved by:  

• addressing barriers to affordable, high quality, safe, reliable and secure supply of electricity and gas that is fair and prioritises the interests of consumers throughout the energy transformation, including by supporting consumer energy resources​
• ensuring all Australians, including regional, remote and First Nations communities, are empowered and supported to benefit from the energy transformation ​
• delivering a coordinated, strategic and timely approach to transforming our energy systems to meet net zero, capturing the opportunities of new diverse energy technologies including onshore and offshore generation, storage and transmission, and ensuring the resilience of the sector in the face of the changing climate
• driving the efficient and effective achievement of Australia's emissions reduction commitments, including net zero by 2050, and promoting Australian industries and businesses to attract international investment and capitalise on the global transition ​
• delivering a coordinated and comprehensive approach to Australia’s adaptation and resilience to climate change, in all sectors of the economy
• delivering a coordinated and strategic approach to achieving improvements in energy performance and flexibility across the Australian economy, including facilitating increased electrification of activities.

These priorities are underpinned by the following working groups. These working groups were updated on 19 September 2025:

• Adaptation Working Group
• Community Engagement Working Group
• Decarbonisation Working Group
• Electricity Working Group
• Energy Efficiency Working Group
• Energy Transformation Working Group
• Gas Working Group
• Hydrogen and Low Carbon Fuels Working Group
• Offshore Renewables Working Group

Meetings

It is expected ECMC will meet at least three times a year either as the full committee, focussed on a broad agenda of energy, climate change and adaptation issues or as the Energy Ministers Sub-Group, focussed on energy items.

Additional meetings may be convened as required. Work is also progressed out of session as necessary.