Why are we proposing changes?

Since mid-2018, we have published over 1,500 registration exemptions and received many enquiries about registering exemptions.

We have undertaken an administrative review of the guideline following our discussions with stakeholders, and propose to make changes to provide further clarity.

What are the key changes?

The main changes proposed to the registration guideline include:

• clarifying language such as the terms: exempt seller and exempt supplier
• clarifying the deemed generation exemption category
• clarifying which exemptions caravan parks and similar sites need when undertaking certain sale and supply activities
• specifying the requirement to register a network exemption with the Australian Energy Regulator in some circumstances
• clarifying that one multiple activity exemption will cover all the sites and customers under a solar power purchase agreement provider’s contracts
• specifying how registration exemptions can be cancelled.

Stakeholder feedback

Submissions on the changes closed on Friday, 11 October 2019.

If you have any questions please email exemptionregister@esc.vic.gov.au or phone 03 9032 1300.

TransGrid Services Pty Ltd (ACN 626 136 865) applied for a licence to transmit electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic). TransGrid Services Pty Ltd is seeking a transmission licence to allow the connection of the Kiamal solar farm.

We may grant or refuse to grant applications for any reason we consider appropriate having regard to our objectives under Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic). 

On 4 December 2019 we granted the licence. 

The Compliance and Performance Reporting Guideline sets out what retailers and distributors need to report to us. To help ensure we receive the correct information, we ask regulated businesses to use reporting templates we have created.

This decision focuses on amending the reporting guideline so that it aligns with new customer entitlements that came into effect on 1 July 2019.

We also made administrative changes to the reporting guideline that affect both energy retailers and distribution businesses. This includes updating compliance measures and modifying existing performance indicators to promote consistency in reporting by energy businesses.

The new guideline is effective from 1 July 2020. 

The current version of the guideline continues to be effective until 30 June 2020 and can be viewed at: Compliance and Performance Reporting Guideline. 

Enel Energy Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 632 774 255) applied for a licence to wholesale electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.

On 4 March 2020 we granted the licence.

This licence was varied on 30 November 2023.

Licence granted

Cohuna Solar Pty Ltd as trustee for the Cohuna Solar Trust (formerly Cohuna Solar Farm Pty Ltd as trustee for the Cohuna Solar Farm Trust) was granted an electricity generation licence on 4 March 2020. 

Licence varied

This licence was last varied on 7 January 2025.

The licence can be accessed via the resources tab. 

AusNet Transmission Group Pty Ltd (ABN 78 079 798 173) applied for a licence to generate electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic). 

The applicant proposes to generate electricity via the Ballarat Battery Energy Storage System (30MW/30MWh) located at the Ballarat Terminal Station in Victoria.

We may grant or refuse to grant applications for any reason we consider appropriate having regard to our objectives under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic). 

We granted the licence on 9 September 2019.

Our final decision and price determination for the Victorian Default Offer came into effect on 1 January 2020.

Made under section 33 of the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic), this price determination applies to the way standing offers, under section 35 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic), are calculated or otherwise determined.

It applies to the tariffs (prices) licensed retailers who sell electricity in Victoria can charge domestic and small business customers during the regulatory period (1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020).

Prices from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020

The below prices apply for the Victorian Default Offer for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020.

The Victorian Default Offer includes a daily supply charge as well as a usage charge (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution zones reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area.

Default offer for domestic customers (GST inclusive)

Default offer for small business customers with consumption less than 40 MWh per year (GST inclusive)

From 1 January 2020 the Victorian Default Offer price determination covers all standing offers, including those based on time-of-use, demand, and flexible tariff structures – broadening the Victorian Default Offer to provide a safeguard for all standing offer customers.

More information on the framework we have used to establish the Victorian Default Offer for other types of standing offer tariffs is contained in the final decision paper.

Dundonnell Wind Farm Pty Ltd (ACN 133 651 019) applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale, and to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic). 

The application proposed to generate electricity at the Dundonnell wind farm located approximately 23 km north-east of Mortlake in Western Victoria.

Submissions on the application closed on 16 October 2019.

We granted an electricity generation and sale licence on 28 February 2020. 

We have made new rules that strengthen and clarify protections for Victorian customers who require life support equipment.

New protections for life support customers

These strengthened protections include:

• life support customers will receive protections once their retailer, distributor or embedded network is made aware of their needs
• energy businesses to provide more comprehensive information to life support customers about their rights, processes and energy businesses’ obligations to them
• customers who require gas to fuel their life support equipment will now receive the same protections as electricity customers
• energy businesses to follow robust processes to have accurate life support registers
• clearer processes from energy businesses when seeking medical confirmation from a customer
• clearer and robust processes to validly deregister a life support customer’s premises

These are in addition to existing critical protections that prevent Victorian life support customers from being disconnected by their energy business and require distributors to notify customers of a planned interruption.

These changes apply to all licensed energy businesses, such as electricity and gas retailers, and distributors as well as those who are exempt from holding an electricity licence such as embedded electricity network sellers and suppliers.

The changes will take effect from early 2020

For electricity distribution businesses and exempt persons, transitional arrangements will commence from 2 January 2020. The full framework for electricity businesses coming into effect from 3 February 2020.

For gas businesses, the transitional arrangements will commence on 3 February 2020. The full framework for gas businesses coming into effect on 1 July 2020.

Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ACN 625 686 651) applied for a licence to generate, supply, distribute, and sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic). 

We may grant or refuse to grant applications for any reason we consider appropriate having regard to our objectives under Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic). 

Submissions on this licence application closed on 24 June 2019. 

We granted an electricity generation and sale licence on 14 May 2020.

The licence was revoked at the request of Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Pty Ltd on 31 January 2025.