Draft Retailer Authorisation Guideline

Under the National Energy Customer Framework, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is charged with developing a Retailer Authorisation Guideline. The Guideline will provide applicants with information on the retail authorisation process including the application process, transfers and revocation. PIAC’s response to the draft Guideline focuses on the transfer and revocation processes. PIAC is concerned that the Guideline does not adequately address the situation where an authorised retailer is acquired by another corporate entity. The concern is that the corporate entity acquiring the authorised retailer may thereby acquire the retailer authorisation, without any assessment as to whether the new entity satisfies the entry criteria. PIAC also recommends that to aid transparency, any decisions made by the AER not to revoke a Retailer Authorisation should be made publicly available.