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As the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Regulator begins a new financial year, here are some highlights from program activities across the previous 12 months.

In the 2024-2025 financial year, 5,697 applications were processed to register a product or vary a registration of a product regulated under the program. The highest number of product registrations received during the financial year were for electric motors (936), external power supply (905), air conditioners (732) and refrigerated cabinets (685).

A total of 1,851 enquiries were also received across the financial year. Most enquiries related to account management assistance and clarification of product regulatory requirements. The enquiries most often sought clarification on regulatory requirements for external power supply products and air conditioners.

In December 2024, the 2023-24 annual Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey results were published. The survey revealed that overall satisfaction with the service received from the GEMS Program was 75%. Satisfaction with GEMS Compliance interactions were especially high at over 80%. The survey also showed an improvement in satisfaction for enquiries being processed in a timely manner.

The GEMS Regulator also ensured compliance with GEMS determinations during the financial year. This included market surveillance through 91 physical store inspections and 80 inspections of online suppliers and third-party retail websites. Over 10,385 products were monitored through these inspections. Inspections found that over 90% of products were correctly registered under GEMS.

Check testing of 66 product models was also conducted throughout the 2024-25 financial year, to test whether the products met Minimum Energy Performance Standards. Fifty-one of 66 (77%) models passed.

The GEMS Regulator cancelled the registration of two air conditioners under section 54(1)(c) of the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012. These cancelled products can no longer be offered for sale or supply in Australia.

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) undertook a performance audit of the GEMS Program and published its report on 17 June 2025. We have accepted all 9 of the ANAO’s recommendations which provide guidance to ensure GEMS has strong administration and governance, with 6 of the recommendations complete as of early September 2025, and significant progress made on the 3 remaining.

More information about the GEMS Program during the 2024-25 financial year will be available in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Annual Report. The report will be published from November 2025 here. Reports for 2022-23 and 2023-24 are also available.