The AER published an issues paper to initiate the 'Review of consumer protections for future energy services'.   

The issues paper sets out: 

• the current consumer protections framework for energy products and services, including the operation of the retailer authorisation and exemption frameworks
• the evolution of the energy sector and the types of new consumer energy resource (CER) based energy products and services that may arise
• current and emerging challenges with the retailer authorisation and exemption frameworks which are likely to be exacerbated by the energy market transition
• a preliminary assessment of the potential benefits and risks to consumers from new energy products and services, and  
• potential regulatory reforms which could be introduced to mitigate potential risks of new energy products and services to consumers. 

The AER hosted an online public forum to enable stakeholders to ask questions about the 'Review of consumer protections for future energy services' issues paper before close of submissions on 27 May. 

The AER held a workshop in conjunction with the Energy Security Board (ESB) and stakeholders from across the energy sector, including from consumer organisations, retailers, researchers and innovators. The workshop was facilitated by consultants RPS and explored a range of use cases using the Consumer Risk Assessment Tool developed by the ESB.

Written submissions closed on 27 May 2022. We received 18 written submissions. 

We received 13 submissions after the closing date.