This paper is a guide to consumer participation in the price setting processes undertaken by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs).
The AER undertakes an assessment of the revenue requirements of each of the DNSPs by state or territory jurisdiction on a five-yearly basis. The AER then publishes a final determination which sets the maximum revenue or price that each DNSP can recover from consumers over the five year regulatory cycle.
This guide explains the different ways that consumers can influence and contribute to decisions of the AER, including through engaging with DNSPs and the AER, and participating in court and tribunal processes such as limited merits review and judicial review.
On 20 June 2017, the Commonwealth Government announced that it would abolish limited merits review of the AER’s determinations. Therefore, this section of the guide should be read with an understanding that the state of the legal frameworks for review of the AER’s decisions is currently in flux. Notwithstanding prospective changes in this area, the guide remains a useful resource in explaining key legal concepts in this area to consumer advocates. See our media release.
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