The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today published our final decision to amend Retailer of Last Resort (RoLR) guidelines and RoLR plan to reflect recent regulatory changes.
The document explains what must happen if an energy retailer fails or exits the market and a RoLR event occurs. It sets out the steps retailers, distributors, the Australian Energy Market Operator and the AER must take to transfer customers quickly and smoothly.
Our consultation on proposed changes to the guidelines and plan opened on 18 March and closed on 17 April 2026. It focused on incorporating recent regulatory changes, and reflecting practical experience and stakeholder feedback.
We sought feedback on our proposal to change to a single reference document, changes to the cost recovery arrangements, proposed processes for taking up to 72 hours to designate a RoLR following a RoLR event, and proposed requirements for default RoLRs electing to place transferred customers on a market retail contract offer (designated contract).
We received 8 submissions and the notice of final instrument outlines how we took these into account.
Changes in the final document include:
- amending the 72-hour designation process in the guidelines to clarify that it may be used in extenuating circumstances for electricity RoLR events
- adding an email notification into the RoLR plan to notify relevant parties ahead of the RoLR notice in the event of a 72-hour designation process
- providing more flexibility in some timeframes and notification requirements for designated contracts.