Review of AER Exemption Framework for Embedded Networks

This document is a submission regarding the review of the Australian Energy Regulator's (AER) exemption framework for Embedded Networks. It includes feedback from the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW, EWOSA, and EWOQ, which are external dispute resolution schemes for the energy and water sectors. The submission addresses proposed new retail conditions in the Retail Exempt Selling Guideline Version 7. The first proposed condition suggests that exempt sellers must include contact details of the relevant energy ombudsman scheme on customers' energy bills. The second proposed condition requires exempt sellers to refund any credits applied to a customer's account upon termination of their energy supply agreement. The document emphasizes the importance of these requirements for consumer trust and access to financial support, particularly in scenarios where exempt customers may not receive due credits upon termination of agreements. The submission also includes case studies illustrating these issues.