Under the NGL and National Gas Rules the AER has the function of reviewing and approving the terms of the Proposals. The Proposals contain the terms, including prices, under which the Service Providers propose to provide gas retailers with access to their networks for the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017. The AER assesses the terms of the Proposals against the National Gas Objective which is set out in the NGL. Following the review the AER must make a final decision to approve, or to refuse to approve a Proposal.
On 29 April 2013, the AER released its decision to approve the access arrangement (including the terms and conditions and access arrangement information) drafted by the AER for SP AusNet's gas distribution network for the regulatory period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017.
On 21 June 2013, the AER varied Part B of the access arrangement to correct a drafting error. The variation is detailed in the AER's letter to SP AusNet dated 21 June 2013.
On 4 August 2014, SP AusNet was rebranded as AusNet Services.
Access arrangements pre 2013
Before coming under the regulation of the AER, the gas distribution network access arrangements for SP AusNet were approved by the Essential Services Commission of Victoria (ESC).