The Rate of Return Instrument (RORI) specifies how the AER will determine the allowed rate of return on capital invested in regulated electricity and gas networks which commence their regulatory period during the four-year period following its release. It specifies the way to calculate the rate of return on capital and value of imputation credits, expressed as mathematical formulae, and how we will obtain inputs for those formulae. It is binding on network businesses and the AER.
The 2026 RORI review formally started on 4 August 2025 with the release of an AER discussion paper. We published the draft 2026 RORI on 29 May 2026. We expect to make the final 2026 RORI in December 2026, which will apply to our network revenue determinations thereafter. An indicative review timeline is set out below.
Key milestone | Indicative date |
| 2026 RORI review process paper – published (for information) | 28 March 2025 |
| 2026 RORI discussion paper – published (submissions invited) | 4 August 2025 |
| Public forum on AER discussion paper | 26 August 2025 |
| Eligible Experts’ report – published (submissions invited) | 24 November 2025 |
| Public forum on Eligible Experts' report | 4 December 2025 |
| Submissions closed on AER discussion paper and Eligible Experts’ report | 19 December 2025 |
| Draft 2026 RORI & Explanatory Statement – published (submissions invited) | 29 May 2026 |
| Public forum on draft 2026 RORI | 22 June 2026 |
| Independent Panel’s report – publish (for information) | 17 July 2026 |
| Submissions close on draft 2026 RORI & Explanatory Statement | 31 July 2026 |
| Final 2026 RORI & Explanatory Statement – publish | December 2026 |
