AER invites expressions of interest for the Consumer Reference Group for the 2026 Rate of Return Instrument review

The AER invites expressions of interest from individuals to be a member of the Consumer Reference Group for our 2026 Rate of Return Instrument (RORI) review.

National energy laws set out the regulatory framework for conducting RORI reviews. The RORI specifies how the AER will determine the allowed rate of return on capital invested in regulated electricity and gas networks. 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.

The AER is the decision‑maker for RORI reviews, which occur every four years. Before publishing a draft RORI, a Consumer Reference Group (CRG) must be established to help the AER implement an effective consumer consultation process for the making of the RORI. The CRG may carry out its activities, including giving advice or recommendations to the AER about the RORI, in the way it considers appropriate. This may include consultation with consumers of electricity and gas, facilitating consumer engagement and making written submissions to the AER about its position on the RORI and the processes undertaken to reach that position. We will publish any written advice, recommendations or submissions given to us by the CRG.

We expect to appoint a small number of individuals to the CRG who collectively possess a range of capabilities to represent the perspectives and interests of consumers in the review. Individual members of the CRG are not expected to possess the full skill set.

The AER expects to commence its 2026 RORI review in late‑July 2025. We expect to publish the draft RORI in April 2026 and the final RORI in December 2026. An indicative timeline for the RORI review is set out below.

We invite expressions of interest (maximum 800 words) from individuals in relation to the following selection criteria.

Selection criteria

1. Significant experience in one or more of the following areas:
   • Consumer advocacy, insight and engagement: Research expertise or significant experience in understanding diverse consumer priorities and needs, and engaging consumers in the regulatory framework.
   • Regulatory decision‑making: For example, experience working within a regulator or similar agency, preparing submissions or reports on regulatory matters, or undertaking reviews of regulation and regulatory agencies.
   • Knowledge of the energy sector or other utilities: For example, working within a relevant business or providing consultancy services to it.
   • Financial and economic analysis: For example, through applying financial, economic and statistical skills in the areas of corporate finance, investment analysis, economic forecasting or business analysis.
2. The ability to critically analyse and assess material authored by the AER, regulated businesses and other stakeholders, and bring a strong evidence‑based consumer perspective to provide robust challenge to AER and other stakeholders’ perspectives.
3. Excellent communication skills, and the ability to build collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders and use these interactions to achieve the objectives of the CRG.
4. Appropriate resource capacity and availability to fulfil the CRG’s requirements for the proposed term, including the extent to which the applicant has identified any existing, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and a proposed strategy for managing those conflicts.
5. Respondents to this expression of interest may apply for the position of CRG member and/or CRG chair. The CRG chair will be responsible for administrative coordination of the group, including the timely submission of advice, presentations or reports to the AER. If you wish to nominate for the role of chair, please outline your leadership and communication skills which have led to significant accomplishments, for example, in business, government, academia and/or the not‑for‑profit sector.

Time commitment and remuneration

We expect to appoint CRG members in late‑July 2025 and individuals will remain in that role until the end of March 2027. As CRG members will be appointed in their individual capacity, they will not be permitted to nominate alternative representatives to attend meetings on their behalf.

CRG members are expected to spend approximately 0.5 days per week on that role. They will be paid for their services at a daily rate set by the AER, including for time spent reading and analysing any materials provided, writing and presenting advice to the AER, and other preparatory activities. The CRG chair will be allocated more time in recognition of the additional work they will perform.

Closing date for applications

Applications can be emailed to RateOfReturnaer [dot] gov [dot] au (RateOfReturn[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) and must be received by 5pm AEST, Friday 11 July 2025.

In submitting an expression of interest, applicants are requested to provide:

• full name
• address, phone and email
• trading and business name (if applicable)
• ACN or ABN (if applicable)
• response to the selection criteria
• current CV/resume
• details of two referees
• indicate their interest in the position of CRG member and/or CRG chair.

Key milestones and indicative dates for the 2026 RORI review