Energy is an essential service. Consumers should be protected from losing supply if their retailer fails.

The National Energy Retail Law sets out what happens when an electricity or gas retailer can no longer operate, including the requirements for transferring customers to a new retailer so their supply continues without interruption. This is known as the Retailer of Last Resort (RoLR) scheme.
 
Under the RoLR scheme, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is responsible for:
  • appointing and registering default RoLRs
  • maintaining a public register  of RoLRs (electricity, gas)
  • appointing designated RoLRs during a RoLR event
  • publishing the RoLR guidelines and plan
  • making RoLR cost recovery scheme determinations

This page covers: 

Registration and appointment of RoLRs

Under the Retail Law, the AER is required to appoint and register default RoLRs.

The Retail Law also provides that retailers that have submitted an expression of interest may be registered as default and additional RoLRs. A retailer who wishes to be registered as a RoLR can submit an Expression of Interest to the AER. The AER's RoLR guidelines and plan contains further guidance on expressions of interest. 

To express interest in registering, visit Expressions of interest for registration as default and additional RoLRs.

Register of RoLRs

The AER must maintain and publish on its website a register of RoLRs. The register includes particulars of each retailer, including whether a retailer is registered as a default RoLR or an additional RoLR. The register of RoLRs was last updated on 27 September 2016.

RoLR guidelines and plan

Under the RoLR scheme, we must develop and maintain the RoLR guidelines and RoLR plan. The RoLR guidelines and plan document sets out how key aspects of the scheme are to operate in practice. 

Part A of the document is the guidelines , which explains what their roles and responsibilities are under the RoLR scheme. Part B of the document is the plan and sets out the procedures for participants before, during and after a RoLR event. 

RoLR notices

RoLR notices issued to retailers under section 136 of the National Energy Retail Law.

RoLR notices issued to retailers and information for their customers
RetailerDate of noticeInformation for customers
Maximum Energy Retail Pty Ltd2 August 2024Frequently asked questions
Sanctuary Energy Pty Ltd21 June 2023 
Mojo Power Pty Ltd16 June 2023Frequently asked questions
QEnergy Limited16 June 2023Frequently asked questions
Elysian Energy Pty Ltd1 September 2022Frequently asked questions
Social Energy Australia Pty Ltd24 August 2022Frequently asked questions
Mojo Power East Pty Ltd27 July 2022 (amended)Frequently asked questions
Power Club Limited12 July 2022Frequently asked questions
Enova Energy Pty Ltd22 June 2022Frequently asked questions
Weston Energy Pty Ltd31 May 2022 (amended)Frequently asked questions
Pooled Energy Pty Ltd24 May 2022Frequently asked questions
Flow Systems Pty Ltd3 May 2019 (amended) 
COzero Energy Retail Pty Ltd29 June 2018 
Urth Energy Pty Ltd2 February 2017 
GoEnergy Pty Ltd - gas13 April 2016 (amended) 
GoEnergy Pty Ltd - electricity2 April 2016 

Translated RoLR fact sheets

The AER has developed translated, shareable content for consumers that speak a language other than English to help them learn more about RoLR events.

RoLR exercises

The AER conducts regular RoLR exercises with RoLR plan participants. Relevant reports on the exercises are published on the AER website. 

Previous relevant RoLR exercise reports:

RoLR cost recovery scheme

A RoLR may apply to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a RoLR cost recovery scheme determination to recover eligible costs:

  • Default RoLRs may apply to recover scheme preparation costs
  • Designated RoLRs may apply to recover event costs

The RoLR guidelines and plan sets out the application process and the types of costs that can be claimed.

Default RoLR cost recovery applications

Default RoLR cost recovery applications occurring in 2014 have been archived from this website. However, a history of these applications, consultations and determinations is archived online by the National Library of Australia.

Designated RoLR cost recovery application

We have assessed one designated RoLR cost recovery application.