Australia’s Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council has endorsed a regulatory framework setting national rules for energy devices used by households and small businesses.
The Consumer Energy National Technical Regulatory Framework, covering 2026 to 2029, has been developed by the Australian government in partnership with state and territory governments. It aims to close existing gaps in the current technical regulation of consumer energy resources (CERs), such as rooftop PV arrays, solar inverters, home battery systems and electric vehicles.
The framework commits to establishing a technical code covering CERs that defines technical requirements, applicable product types and deemed-to-satisfy solutions.
The framework document says this work will be led by Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and will be updated every two years with ministerial approval. In order to oversee compliance and conformance of the technical code, a Consumer Energy National Technical Regulator (CENTR) will be established.
A statement published on the Australian government’s website says the technical codes will “support a more reliable energy system by ensuring products can connect to and work with the grid.”
Products covered by the code will be subject to mandatory certification and independent testing, with CENTR responsible for certifying and publishing a publicy-accessible product list of CER products.
The framework also states CER suppliers will be responsible for ensuring their products meet the technical code. Suppliers will be subject to mandatory registration, according to the document, and will tasked with maintaining conformity and providing information and data to CENTR.
This measure will be adopted nationally, replacing existing supplier requirements that can differ across states, territories and electricity distribution networks. The government says the change will make it easier and less costly for suppliers to operate across Australia.
The framework also brings in a national approach to installer accreditation, requiring installers using CER products covered by the new technical code to be accredited.
Accredited installers will be listed on a national register, which the government says will make it easier to identify qualified installers, in turn supporting accountability and high-quality installations.
The regulatory document states that accreditation requirements will be established as a national baseline, and that states and territories are free to develop additional accreditation requirements to complement CENTR’s requirements.
CENTR will also be tasked with establishing and maintaining an accredited installer list and registered supplier list, to be published and updated regularly. The regulator will be given broad powers to monitor compliance, investigate breaches, and enforce obligations on installers and suppliers.
The statement on the government’s website adds that the reforms under the regulatory framework will “ensure CERs are reliable and compatible with Australia’s electricity system.”
“The framework aims to support greater consumer choice, improve product quality and performance, make it easier for products and services to work together and help Australians get more value from their CER assets,” it says.
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