COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Energy Market Commission
On 5 November 2020, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released the draft rule determination and rule titled National Energy Retail Amendment (Maintaining Life Support Customer Registration When Switching) Rule 2020.
The draft rule seeks reduce barriers for life support customers that switch retailer or distribution network service provider (DNSP).
The AEMC is seeking to achieve this by introducing an obligation on the outgoing registration process owner (RPO) (the retailer or DNSP contacted by the customer for life support registration purposes) to provide the customer with a copy of the medical confirmation form (MCF) and/or medical confirmation document used to register the customer's premises on request. The proposal would also allow customers to reuse confirmation documents for the purpose of providing medical confirmation to the incoming RPO. Customer safety would be maintained by the combination of a simpler registration process while maintaining a degree of customer responsibility to pass accurate information to RPOs.
The AEMC is undertaking this consultation process to test its expected outcome of reduced costs and mobility challenges related to medical visits for life support customers.
The draft National Energy Retail Amendment (Maintaining Life Support Customer Registration When Switching) Rule 2020 has been assessed by the Office of Best Practice Regulation as compliant with requirements for a Council of Australian Governments Consultation RIS.
The AEMC will be accepting submissions on the proposal until 14 January 2021. Submissions should be provided directly to the AEMC.
Please note: any accessibility queries should be directed to the Australian Energy Market Commission