The AER has determined that the February 2024 storm met the definition of a natural disaster pass through event, and that the incremental costs meet the materiality threshold for a positive change event. The AER has approved a positive pass through amount of $2.5 million ($nominal, smoothed) to be recovered in the 2026–27 regulatory year.

While assessing the application, the AER also took into account the findings of technical investigations conducted by Energy Safe Victoria and the Australian Energy Market Operator, and is satisfied that AusNet Services did not do, or fail to do, anything that contributed to the occurrence of the pass through event or the magnitude of the costs incurred.