Removing unnecessary regulation by revoking outdated codes

The Essential Services Commission is revoking outdated and unnecessary codes of practice. 

We have revoked the Electricity Customer Transfer Code of Practice (Transfer Code) and the Electricity Customer Metering Code of Practice (Metering Code), which are outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose. 

Many obligations in the Metering Code are superseded by Victorian regulations and the broader national regulatory framework that governs electricity metering. For example, both frameworks specify:

• how quickly a meter must be installed
• how data should be handled
• who is responsible for maintaining metering equipment. 

We consulted with electricity distribution businesses, consumer advocates and government bodies, finding broad support for revoking the codes and aligning customer transfer and metering rules with national regulations. 

The revocation of both codes takes effect on 12 September 2025. 

The removal of unnecessary codes follows measures earlier this year remove unnecessary licensing. The Victorian Government amended legislation to remove the requirement for a licence to sell electricity at a wholesale level (that is, transactions between market participants, not sales to customers). All companies that held licences to sell wholesale electricity in Victoria agreed to the revocation of their licences. 

We will also shortly be consulting on a proposal plan to revoke the Public Lighting Code of Practice, on the basis that is outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose.