Why we develop guidelines 

The AER develops guidelines for energy retailers to comply with energy retail law, rules and regulations that make up the National Energy Customer Framework .

Our guidelines provide instructions to market participants on how we expect them to comply with the framework, including what data they are required to submit to enable us to effectively monitor the retail market and make decisions in the best interest of consumers.

Our process 

Stakeholder engagement is a feature of our process to develop or review a guideline. We go through various stages of consultation to consider industry views and expectations. These stages include:

  • publishing an issues paper
  • consulting on the issues paper, including hosting stakeholder forums
  • publishing draft guidelines
  • consulting on the draft guidelines
  • publishing final guideline
  • highlighting the date when the final guideline comes into effect.

 

Latest guidelines and reviews

Default market offer prices 2025–26

The DMO is a maximum price that retailers can charge electricity customers on default contracts known as standing offer contracts.
Type
Reviews
Sector
Electricity
Status
Open

Retail performance reporting procedures and guidelines (2024 update)

The AER has released its final decision on its Retail performance reporting procedures and guidelines for retailers and distributors.
Type
Guidelines
Sector
Electricity
Gas
Status
Current

Review of payment difficulty protections in the National Energy Customer Framework

We have now completed our Review of payment difficulty protections in the National Energy Customer Framework.
Type
Reviews
Sector
Electricity
Gas
Status
Current

Minimum disconnection amount – 2025 review

The AER is consulting on a new minimum disconnection amount for the National Energy Customer Framework, with submissions closing on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.
Type
Reviews
Sector
Electricity
Gas
Status
Open

Compliance procedures and guidelines - 2024 update

We are reviewing our compliance procedures and guidelines. Submissions on the draft Guidelines are invited from interested stakeholders by 19 April 2024.
Type
Guidelines
Sector
Electricity
Gas
Status
Open

Retailer authorisation guideline

AER updated its Retailer Authorisation Guideline to accommodate the amended National Energy Objectives.
Type
Guidelines
Sector
Electricity
Gas
Status
Current