The national energy regime includes a series of dispute resolution mechanisms that are overseen by the AER.
Customer connection disputes
The AER makes determinations on customer connection disputes with electricity distribution businesses under Part 10 of the National Electricity Law. Disputes arise when a customer is unable to reach agreement with a distribution business on the terms and conditions of connecting to the network.
In addition, the National Electricity (Victoria) Act 2005 makes the AER responsible for resolving disputes under that Act and the Electricity Industry Act 2000, and for making assessments under distribution business’ licence conditions.
AER Fact sheet - What can I do if I have a complaint about my energy service? - December 2021 ( PDF 117.98 KB )
AER Fact sheet - Connecting electricity or gas to your property for the first time - May 2015 ( PDF 950.89 KB )
Connecting to electricity distribution networks & resolving connection disputes - February 2016 ( PDF 552.21 KB )
Connecting to gas distribution networks & resolving connection disputes - February 2016 ( PDF 316.33 KB )
Networks access disputes
The AER is the dispute resolution body for access disputes between a user or potential user of a pipeline and the pipeline service provider, under Chapter 6 of the National Gas Law. The AER is also the dispute resolution body for access disputes between access seekers and electricity distributors for negotiated distribution services, under chapter 10 of the National Electricity Law. A dispute may cover one or more aspects of access to a service. The prospective user, user or service provider may notify the AER, in writing, that an access dispute exists.
Information about how the AER resolves access disputes can be found in the Access dispute guideline.
Determinations
Application of the regulatory investment test disputes
The AER resolves disputes about the application of both the regulatory investment test for transmission (RIT-T) and regulatory investment test for distribution (RIT-D) by network businesses. Information about how the AER resolves disputes for the RIT-T and RIT-D can be found:
- in section 5 of the AER’s RIT-T application guidelines on the Regulatory investment test for transmission and guideline.
- in section 5 of the AER's RIT-D application guidelines on the Regulatory investment test for distribution and guideline.
Both documents provide a summary of the process, each party, including the AER, must follow for the relevant dispute resolution process under the Electricity Rules. They also provide information on who may dispute a RIT-T or RIT-D assessment; what matters can be disputed; and how to lodge a dispute.
RIT-D disputes
- Sydney CBD RIT–D dispute - 6 July 2018
- Kangaroo Island Submarine Cable RIT-D dispute - 23 January 2017
RIT-T disputes
- SA Energy Transformation RIT-T dispute - 15 March 2019
- Reinforcing the NSW Southern Shared Network (Humelink) RIT-T dispute - 24 November 2021
- North West Slopes and Bathurst, Orange and Parkes RIT-T disputes - 29 November 2022
Wholesale energy market disputes
The AER has appointed an independent Wholesale Energy Market Dispute Resolution Adviser (WEMDRA) to administer dispute resolution provisions in the wholesale energy market. The provisions, in Chapter 8 of the National Electricity Rules and Part 15C of the National Gas Rules, contain mechanisms for dispute resolution between participants (as defined) including Australian Energy Market Operator.