This newsroom provides a list of recently published official industry reports and regulatory decision (E.g., AEMC Final Rule Determinations). 

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INDUSTRY REPORT: Smart Connect – Industry Priorities 2026–2030

In September 2026, the ARENA-funded Smart Connect Initiative published its third and final industry workpaper, identifying priority areas for nationally consistent consumer energy resources (CER) integration. Smart Connect was established to improve coordination across industry, initially supporting consistent implementation of the NSW Emergency Backstop Mechanism and WA Residential Battery Scheme. The workpaper identifies three priority areas: device interoperability, registration and secure access, and customer and market services, supported by ongoing coordination across policy, programs and technical implementation.

The report can be accessed via the arena.gov.au website ⧉

DCCEEW REPORT: Consumer Energy National Technical Regulatory Framework

In September 2026, the ECMC endorsed the Consumer Energy National Technical Regulatory Framework (2026–2029). The framework establishes a nationally consistent approach to the technical regulation of consumer energy resources (CER), including common baseline technical requirements for CER products. It provides for a National CER Technical Code, a new Consumer Energy National Technical Regulator (CENTR), national product registration and installer accreditation.

The report can be accessed via the energy.gov.au website ⧉

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA REPORT: CER Interoperability Report

In August 2026, Standards Australia delivered the CER Interoperability Report, assessing how current Australian and international standards support the 18 initial minimum CER device requirements outlined in DCCEEW CER interoperability requirements. The report identifies key gaps in energy management system performance, behind-the-meter coordination of flexible loads and EV charging, and recommends stronger standards, testing and governance arrangements to support interoperable CER deployment at scale.

The report can be accessed via the energy.gov.au website ⧉

ACCC REPORT: Inquiry into the National Electricity Market

In June 2026, the ACCC published its 15th Inquiry into the National Electricity Market report. The report examines electricity bill outcomes for households and small businesses, including the effects of government rebates, changing electricity use and retail tariffs. It also has a particular focus on the rapid growth of household batteries and VPPs.

The report can be accessed via the accc.gov.au website ⧉

CSIRO REPORT: CSIRO FlexCost – Electricity system flexibility cost modelling

In June 2026, CSIRO published the Stage 1 FlexCost report, examining the cost and value of flexibility in Australia’s electricity transition. The analysis focuses on how flexible demand, storage, and coordinated consumer energy resources (CER) can reduce overall system costs by better aligning electricity consumption with variable renewable generation. A broader consultation process will be undertaken during Stage 2 to test assumptions and review draft outputs.

The report can be accessed via the CSIRO website ⧉

DCCEEW UPDATE : Initial national CER interoperability requirements

In April 2026, DCCEEW published a list of 18 initial minimum CER device requirements to support interoperability across Australia. The requirements are voluntary and apply to new CER devices, including solar PV, batteries, electric vehicles, EV chargers, flexible loads and energy management systems. The paper clarifies expected baseline capabilities, maps requirements to existing standards, and identifies priority gaps to be addressed before a national technical regulatory framework is introduced.

The report can be accessed via the energy.gov.au website ⧉

AEMC FINAL RULE : New regulatory framework for customer initiated gas abolishment

In March 2026,  the AEMC published its final rule to establish a formal regulatory framework allowing retail gas customers to permanently abolish their gas supply at their own request. It defines abolishment as distinct from temporary disconnection, clarifies retailer and distributor roles, sets customer information and consent requirements, and addresses cost responsibility. The rule change proposes that costs sit with the customer who requests abolishment, rather than being socialised across other gas users.

The report can be accessed via the AEMC website ⧉

INDUSTRY REPORT : CERI Gaps Report

The CERI Gaps Report consolidates industry consultation on the gaps between existing regulatory, governance, technical, and market frameworks and the requirements needed to support widespread consumer energy resource integration. It provides a structured view of where current arrangements may limit product deployment, aggregation, and network participation, and where further coordination or reform is required. The report is intended to inform policymakers, market bodies, and industry participants considering future changes to support scalable CER integration.

The report can be accessed via the ARENA website ⧉

AEMO REPORT : Quarterly Energy Dynamics – Q4 2025 

In January 2026,  AEMO published its Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report for the December quarter 2025.The report shows that renewables and storage supplied more than 50% of NEM energy for the first time and wholesale electricity prices across the NEM nearly halved compared to previous periods. The report also documents continued growth in battery capacity, materially increasing system flexibility and price suppression during peak periods.

The report can be accessed via the AEMO website ⧉

AEMC FINAL RULE :Real-time meter data access for consumers

In December 2025, the AEMC published a final determination setting out arrangements for consumers to access their own near real‑time electricity consumption data, and to authorise third‑party access. It considers standardised, secure data interfaces, clarified obligations on market participants, and changes to the National Electricity Rules to support new consumer energy services while managing privacy, cyber‑security and cost impacts.

The report can be accessed via the AEMC website ⧉

FINAL REPORT : Redefining roles and responsibilities for power system and market operations in a high CER future

In December 2025, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) released the final report Redefining roles and responsibilities for power system and market operations in a high CER future. The report identifies areas where existing roles and accountabilities are fragmented or unclear across governments, market bodies and industry participants, and proposes principles to better align operational responsibility with technical capability and risk. Its findings are intended to inform future policy development, regulatory reform and market design decisions supporting secure and efficient operation of the power system in a high‑CER environment.

The report can be accessed via the energy.gov.au website ⧉

FINAL REPORT : National Electricity Market Wholesale Market Settings Review

In November 2024, the Australian Government announced a review of the National Electricity Market (NEM) wholesale market settings by an independent expert panel. The review investigated ways to promote investment in firmed, renewable energy including mechanisms to promote greater CER participation in electricity wholesale markets. The final report was released on 16 December 2025. 

The report can be accessed via the DCCEEW website ⧉

AER RING-FENCING WAIVER : SAPN Market Active Solar Trial

On 12 December 2025, the AER released a decision to grant South Australia Power Network (SAPN) an interim ring-fencing waiver from clause 4.2 of the Ring-fencing Guideline (Electricity distribution). The interim waiver will allow SAPN to continue to conduct its Market Active Solar (MAS) trial to 31 December 2026, after the previous ring-fencing waiver (granted in April 2024) expired on 31 December 2025. 

More information is available on the AER website ⧉.

AER RING-FENCING WAIVER : Ausgrid Community Power Network

On 5 December 2025 grant Ausgrid’s a trial waiver for its Community Power Network (CPN) proposal. The proposal involves the accelerated deployment of CER, in a local network area, planned and owned by Ausgrid. It seeks to pool surplus solar from rooftops into batteries to both redistribute during the evening peak, and to trade on the wholesale market to generate profit, which Ausgrid proposes to share with trial customers. 

More information is available on the AER website ⧉.

AEMC REPORT : AEMC Electricity Price Trends

On 4 December 2025, the AEMC published its latest a 10-year outlook for residential electricity prices and total energy costs by each jurisdiction in the NEM.

The report can be accessed via the AEMC website ⧉.