Energy rules are made by the AEMC under the national energy laws and are designed to promote efficient investment in, and efficient operation and use of, energy services for the long-term interests of consumers with respect to price, quality, safety, reliability, and security of supply.

The Energy Rules:

• determine how companies can operate and participate in the competitive generation and retail sectors, outlining their rights and responsibilities
• govern the economic regulation of electricity transmission and distribution networks and gas pipelines, so that consumers do not pay more than necessary for their energy.

Rules have the force of law and are regularly amended by the AEMC or, in special and limited circumstances, by the South Australian Minister for Mineral Resources & Energy who is the Minister responsible for the AEMC to the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC).

The AEMC does not propose rules (except for minor or non-material changes), rather we make decisions on rule changes requested by stakeholders. In making and amending rules we are required to follow a rule amendment procedure that includes public consultation and publication of relevant documents.

Find more information about:

The National Electricity Rules including:

• Current rules
• Chapter summaries
• Historic rules
• Rule change projects
• Rules made by the South Australian Minister
• Rules made
• Northern Territory rules including:
  • Current rules
  • Historic rules

The National Gas Rules including:

• Current rules
• Part Summaries
• Historic rules
• Rule change projects
• Rules made by the South Australian Minister
• Rules made
• Western Australia
• Regulating gas pipelines
• Regulatory classification of gas pipelines

The National Energy Retail Rules including:

• Current rules
• Historic rules
• Rule change projects
• Rules made by the South Australian Minister
• Rules made
• NECF

Resources for stakeholders including:

• Guide to an application of the NECF
• Modification of energy rules by jurisdictions

Procedures

Procedures are instruments setting out the detailed requirements for activities carried out under the rules.

Procedures in the National Electricity Market (NEM) are made under and in accordance with the rules.

Procedures in gas markets are effectively made under the National Gas Law (NGL), in accordance with a procedure change process set out in the National Gas Rules (NGR). Changes to gas procedures must also meet a National Gas Objective (NGO) test.

The:

• Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
• Australian Energy Regulator (AER)
• Reliability Panel

each have a role in developing procedures.