The National Energy Retail Law (Retail Law) and National Energy Retail Rules (Retail Rules) include new roles for the AER in mandating how retailers present their pricing information to customers. Under the Retail Law, the AER must develop and implement a Retail Pricing Information Guideline which specifies the manner and form in which energy retailers' prices are presented. The aim of the Guideline is to assist customers in readily comparing standing offer prices and market offer prices offered by retailers.
In April 2010, the AER commissioned some qualitative consumer research to obtain customer feedback on a range of areas relating to the Guideline. The AER published the report detailing this qualitative research program in September 2010.
The AER published the Guideline in September 2011.