Consumer protections to be strengthened for thousands of electricity customers

We welcome the announcement of new rules that will significantly strengthen consumer rights for thousands of residents and businesses receiving electricity through embedded networks and on-site power supply arrangements.

On 25 July 2025, the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson, announced that regulations would bring embedded networks and on-site power supply arrangements into the Alternative Electricity Services registration framework. This will ensure electricity customers are afforded consistent rights, protections, and access to independent complaint resolution.

Some electricity customers do not currently have access to the same consumer protections as customers receiving electricity from a licensed electricity provider. This can include customers in apartment buildings, shopping centres, retirement villages, and long-stay caravan parks, as well as on-site power supply arrangements.

As a result, these providers will be required to:

• Register with the Economic Regulation Authority;
• Comply with updated consumer protection obligations, including billing transparency, clear communication, and fair pricing;
• Join the Energy and Water Ombudsman scheme, ensuring their customers can access free dispute resolution services.

We are working closely with Energy Policy WA and the Economic Regulation Authority on the reforms. This ensures that we will be ready to accept complaints from customers in embedded network and using on-site power supply arrangements as soon as the rules commence.