Under the Retail Law, the AER is responsible for overseeing the national Retailer of Last Resort (RoLR) scheme. The scheme is principally designed to ensure that in the event of retailer failure, arrangements are in place to ensure that customers continue to receive electricity and/or gas supply. Under the RoLR scheme, the AER must publish the RoLR guidelines, publish the RoLR plan, appoint default RoLRs, maintain and publish a register of RoLRs, appoint designated RoLRs following a RoLR event and make RoLR cost recovery scheme determinations.
On the 8 November 2011, the AER released the final version of the RoLR plan. The AER made subsequent amendments to the AER's RoLR plan in accordance with the Retail Consultation Procedures. These amendments were finalised on 15 June 2012.