The Gas Act 1997 requires that Gas Certificates of Compliance (GCCs) are issued to consumers on completion of gas installation work.

Booklets of GCCs are provided free of charge by the Technical Regulator and are available through plumbing outlets, gas suppliers and selected government agencies

The scheme assures consumers that the work performed on their appliances or installations complies with the relevant Australian Standards and that the installer is licensed to do the work. It also assists the Technical Regulator to identify poor quality work and have it rectified. The scheme was introduced with the Gas Act 1997.

The Technical Regulator has used a variety of approaches to encourage contractors to use GCCs. The benefits of issuing GCCs are emphasised during all gas industry technical presentations and in the newsletter "Regulation Roundup" which is sent to all licensed gas fitters.

Benefits of using the Certificate include:

• Assures the installation owner that the gas fitter is qualified and that the work complies with the requirements of the Gas Act 1997.
• Certifies only the work done by the contractor (so problems which are the responsibility of others are not inherited inadvertently).
• Allows the contractor to note existing problems with the installation.
• Forms a permanent record of the job.

The penalties for the non-issue of GCCs are also explained. They include warnings, expiation notices, disciplinary interviews, and potential legal action under Section 56 of the Gas Act 1997. Consumers are also becoming increasingly aware of the requirement and are requesting that GCCs be issued. There is also some possibility that, should a gas-related incident cause damage, failure of the householder or business owner to insist on receiving a GCC after gas work is done on the premises could jeopardise the insurance coverage for that site.