The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released a final version 4.0 of its Retail Pricing Information Guidelines (Guidelines) and accompanying Notice of Final Instrument (Notice). The amended Guidelines will commence on 1 February 2016.
By specifying the manner and form in which energy pricing information is presented by retailers, the Guidelines play an important role in educating consumers and empowering them to engage in the retail energy market.
We commenced a review of Version 3.0 of the Guidelines in early 2015 and consulted in accordance with the retail consultation procedure set out in r. 173 of the National Energy Retail Rules. Version 4.0 of the Guidelines clarifies how retailers comply with the Guidelines and makes amendments to the presentation and content of Energy Price Fact Sheets. Version 4.0 also extends some requirements to advertising and marketing.
The Guidelines and Notice are published on the Retail Pricing Information Guidelines - 2015 page on the AER website.