On 17 March 2025 the AER released the Review of the AER exemptions framework for embedded networks Draft Decision, incorporating Notice of Draft Instruments for the Draft Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7) and Draft Network Exemptions Guideline (version 7), along with the draft guidelines for consultation.
Project timeline
Draft decision#
AER Embedded networks review - Notice of draft decision - March 2025
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Draft Exempt seller family violence policy template
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Consultant reports#
For the review, we instructed market research consultants Bastion Insights to support us in our consideration of policy options by conducting qualitative and quantitative research into the experiences of embedded network customers. This work comprised online discussions with around 50 embedded network residents, detailed analysis of around 100 embedded network customer bills, and a survey to compare outcomes between embedded network and retail market customers.
Bastion Insights’ final report, Review of the Exemptions Framework for Embedded Networks Research Report, was published alongside the draft decision on 17 March 2025.
Additionally, we instructed family violence specialists Safe and Equal to support us by providing expert advice on implementing practical family violence protections for customers of exempt sellers. Safe and Equal’s advice was based on engagement with survivor advocates and exempt sellers.
Safe and Equal’s report, Policy Advice on Family Violence Obligations for Exempt Sellers, Final Report, July 2024, was also published alongside the draft decision.
Bastion Insights - Review of the exemptions framework for embedded networks research report - May 2024
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Safe and Equal - Policy advice on family violence obligations for exempt sellers - Final report - July 2024
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Submissions#
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Interested stakeholders were invited to make submissions on our draft Retail Exempt Selling Guideline before 28 April 2025. The following submissions were received.
AEMO - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Altogether Group - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Ampol - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Ausgrid - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Austin Tourist Park - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Australia Pacific LNG - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Compliance Quarter - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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CPAQ - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Electric Vehicle Council - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Energy Locals - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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EnergyAustralia - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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EWON - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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EWOQ - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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EWOSA - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Ingenia Communities Group - Submission to Draft retail exempt selling and Draft network exemptions guidelines (version 7)
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Justice and Equity Centre, SACOSS, Tenants Union NSW - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Marina Industries Association - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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MJR Utility Consult - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Origin Energy - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Silver Asset Services - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Strata Community Association Queensland - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guideline (versions 7)
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The Energy Project - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Late submissions#
We received 9 submissions after the closing date.
ACOSS - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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COTA Australia - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Dr Rowena Cantley-Smith and Dr Anne Kallies - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Endeavour Energy - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Energy Intelligence - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Energy Queensland (Energex & Ergon Energy) - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Network Energy Services - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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NSW Small Business Energy Alliance - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guideline (versions 7)
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Shopping Centre Council Australia - Submission to Draft Retail Exempt Selling and Draft Network Exemptions Guidelines (versions 7)
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Additional consultation#
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On 23 June 2025, the AER invited stakeholders to submit feedback on 2 new proposed conditions following consideration of public submissions to the draft Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (v7). The additional consultation period closed on 7 July 2025.
AER - Request for submissions on additional proposed conditions - Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7)
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Additional consultation submissions#
The following submissions were received to the additional consultation.
Austin Tourist Park - Submission - Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7) additional consultation
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Caravan Parks Association of Queensland - Submission - Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7) additional consultation
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Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW - Submission - Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7) additional consultation
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Council of the Ageing Australia - Submission - Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7) additional consultation
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Energy and Water Ombusman SA, NSW and QLD - Submission - Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7) additional consultation
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Justice and Equity Centre and consumer groups joint submission - Submission - Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 7) additional consultation
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Notice of extension to publish final report #
On 23 June 2025 the AER published a Notice of Extension under clause 8.9.2(d) of the National Electricity Rules.
The revised date to publish the final report is expected to be 29 August 2025.
AER - Notice of extension of time under the Standard rules consultation procedure - Network Exemptions Guideline (version 7)
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