Recent amendments to the National Energy Retail Law require us to update the Retailer of Last Resort guidelines and plan. This notice sets out our draft decision and should be read alongside the draft guidelines and plan. It explains the rationale for our draft decision and summarises stakeholder feedback received to date. 

Interested stakeholder are invited to email submissions by close of business on 17 April 2026 to AERRoLRaer [dot] gov [dot] au with the email subject header “Submission – RoLR guidelines update”.

Part A: RoLR guidelines

We are seeking feedback on the proposed approach to incorporating the relevant legislative amendments into the guideline and our principles-based updates, including:

• changing to a single reference document
• updated cost recovery arrangements
• circumstances on when we would consider extending the timeframe to designate a RoLR
• details on how RoLRs could take up the option of providing a market retail contract offer. 

Part B: RoLR plan

We are also proposing amendments to the RoLR plan, including:

• updating to reflect the amendment to the time to respond to an AER direction for gas access and pipeline capacity from immediate to within 24 hours
• removed prescriptive exercise requirements in RoLR plan to give greater flexibility to how and when exercises are conducted.
• added stronger customer data requirements
• accounted for RoLR responsibilities in Victoria
• incorporated family violence obligations
• added a requirement to inform of any gas or capacity issues. 

While we are only required to consult with RoLR plan participants under the Retail Law, we welcome wider feedback on Part B in submissions.

AERRoLRaer [dot] gov [dot] au (Email your submissions to AERRoLR[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au )

Submissions may be mailed to: General Manager, Compliance and Enforcement, Australian Energy Regulator, GPO Box 3131, Canberra ACT  2601. 

You can also email us at aerrolraer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERRoLR[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) with enquiries about this paper, lodging a submission or to schedule a meeting directly. 

We will publish a final determination, RoLR guidelines and RoLR plan by 18 June 2026, at which time the revised requirements set out in the final determination will take effect.