Hold AER authorisation as energy retailer
Selling electricity or gas to small customers requires AER retailer authorisation.
Who must comply
Energy retailers selling to small customers.
What triggers it
Selling electricity or gas to small customers in participating jurisdictions.
When due
Continuous; periodic compliance reporting.
Evidence required
AER authorisation; complaints data; hardship register.
Max penalty
Civil penalties up to ~$10M / 3× benefit / 10% turnover (tier 1) for serious breaches; AER enforcement actions
Summary
National Energy Retail Law (administered by AER) requires entities selling energy to small customers to hold a retailer authorisation. Customer protections under National Energy Retail Rules including hardship assistance, billing standards + disconnection protocols.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Topics
Related obligations
- CWLTHGEMS (Greenhouse + Energy Minimum Standards)Regulated products must meet energy efficiency MEPS + display label.
- CWLTHEnergy Bill Relief Fund + state cost-of-living payments complianceRetailers + suppliers administering federal/state energy bill relief must apply correctly + report.
- CWLTHConsumer Credit Hardship Notice (NCC ss 72-73)Credit providers must respond to hardship notice + assess variation request.
- CWLTHDesign and Distribution Obligations (DDO) — RG 274Issuers + distributors of retail financial products bound by DDO from 5 October 2021.
- CWLTHNGER reporting (Clean Energy Regulator)Threshold-triggered annual emissions, energy production + consumption reporting.
- CWLTHSafeguard Mechanism baseline decline 4.9% paAustralia's 215 largest emitters face declining baselines under Safeguard Mechanism reform.
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with AER authorisation as energy retailer?
- Energy retailers selling to small customers.
- What triggers AER authorisation as energy retailer?
- Selling electricity or gas to small customers in participating jurisdictions.
- When is AER authorisation as energy retailer due?
- Continuous; periodic compliance reporting.
- What is the maximum penalty for AER authorisation as energy retailer?
- Civil penalties up to ~$10M / 3× benefit / 10% turnover (tier 1) for serious breaches; AER enforcement actions
- What evidence is required for AER authorisation as energy retailer?
- AER authorisation; complaints data; hardship register.
Source: https://aer.gov.au/retail-markets/retailer-authorisation. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.