Authorisations
Unless exempt from the requirement, a person must hold a retailer authorisation prior to engaging in the retail sale of energy (electricity or gas). The AER administers retailer authorisations.
The National Energy Retail Law sets out three entry criteria that must be satisfied to obtain a retailer authorisation:
- organisational and technical capacity—the applicant must have the necessary organisational and technical capacity to meet the obligations of a retailer
- financial resources—the applicant must have resources or access to resources so that it will have the financial viability and financial capacity to meet the obligations of a retailer
- suitability—the applicant must be a suitable person to hold a retailer authorisation.
Retailer authorisation guidelines
The AER’s Retailer Authorisation Guideline sets out the AER’s approach to assessing applications for retailer authorisation, including the information that must be provided to satisfy the entry criteria. The guideline also sets out the process for the transfer, surrender or revocation of a retailer authorisation.
We recommend that potential applicants contact the AER prior to submitting an application for a retailer authorisation. The AER consults publicly on all applications for a retailer authorisation and your application will be published on the AER's website.
If you are granted a retailer authorisation, you will appear on the AER’s public register.
Retail exemptions
There are some situations where a retailer authorisation is not necessary or appropriate, and a person selling energy may be exempt from the requirement to have an authorisation. The AER’s Exempt Selling Guideline sets out the AER’s approach to retail exemptions, including details of the types of activities which are exempt from the requirement to hold a retailer authorisation.
Public register of authorised retailers
The AER must publish the details of all authorised retailers in a public register and must also publish any application for authorisation or to transfer or surrender an authorisation.