Submission to the AER’s Network and Retail Exemption Guidelines Review

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

Compliance Quater has lodged a submission with the AER addressing the questions raised by the AER but also drawing the AER’s attention to a range of issues that we have identified within the guidelines.

We’ve submitted that the AER should consider implementing a ‘fast track approval’ process for the approval of proposed retrofit conversions of sites where the resulting embedded network would clearly bring consumers better pricing and where the configuration of the network infrastructure facilitates consumers who wish to ‘opt-out.’

As energy sellers know, the regulatory framework is partly designed to set the minimum standards of conduct expected and to punish those that are non-compliant. We believe that it is time that incentives were built into the regulatory framework. Where energy sellers develop products or services that have a clear consumer benefit, they should be rewarded by, for example, faster approvals. Faster approvals result in better commercial outcomes for energy sellers and those should be tied to consumer benefits.

Compliance Quarter supports energy sellers by helping them establish effective compliance programs. For exempt sellers, we provide guidelines, checklists, and training.

If you would like assistance with your compliance program, email info@compliancequarter.com.au

More to explorer

werribee park mansion

Victoria consults on lower prices for embedded network customers

The Victorian Government has opened consultation on proposed pricing reforms for embedded networks, following its announcement that it intends to require lower energy prices for households and small businesses in those networks. The consultation is relevant to residential and small commercial embedded network customers, embedded network operators, exempt sellers and suppliers, licensed retailers operating in embedded networks, owners corporations, retirement villages, caravan parks, shopping centres and providers of bundled energy-related services such as bulk hot water, centralised heating and cooling.

smartphone beside a magnifying glass

Energy Retailer Assurance Audits in 2026: An Australian Guide

Assurance audits used to be a tick-the-box exercise. They are not anymore. With the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) refreshing its Compliance Procedures and Guidelines and releasing an updated Practice Guide for Compliance Audits last year energy retailers in Australia are operating in a sharper, more evidence-driven assurance environment than at any point in the National Energy Retail Law’s history. This post explains, in plain English, what an assurance audit looks like under the current settings, where the AER is looking hardest in 2025/26, and

street road near green and yellow trees

Embracing the uncertainty of rapid advancement and adoption of general artificial intelligence for energy businesses

The way businesses and professionals interact with artificial intelligence has changed. Over the past two months, we have observed a shift across our client base and the broader regulatory and legal community that goes beyond curiosity or experimentation. Professionals who were previously sceptical are now actively engaging with AI tools. Those who were already experimenting are finding that the tools have become materially more capable than they were even six months ago.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *