AER Approves 2026–27 Network Charges for ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS
Summary
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published approved electricity distributors' annual pricing proposals and network charges for 2026–27 for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. Network charges are mostly increasing, driven by revenue paths from applicable determinations, increasing transmission costs, inflation, and recovery of previously under-recovered revenue. NSW networks face additional increases related to the NSW Roadmap, while SA networks are affected by Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism costs. These approved network charges will be incorporated into retail electricity prices for 2026–27; retailers ultimately determine how these underlying charges are reflected in customer offers. The AER will use the approved charges for NSW, SA, and South-East Queensland (Energex) in the final 2026–27 Default Market Offer, to be published by 26 May 2026.
“The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published the approved electricity distributors' annual pricing proposals and network charges for 2026–27 for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australian, and Tasmania.”
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What changed
The AER assessed and approved electricity distributors' annual pricing proposals and network charges for 2026-27 across six Australian jurisdictions. The approvals ensure consistency with the National Electricity Rules and each distributor's five-year regulatory revenue determination. Network charges are predominantly increasing due to a combination of revenue path adjustments, rising transmission costs, inflation, and recovery of previously under-recovered revenue, with NSW-specific cost drivers related to the NSW Roadmap and SA-specific costs related to the Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism.
Electricity retailers and consumers in the affected jurisdictions should anticipate higher retail electricity prices for 2026-27 as network charges are incorporated into retail pricing. Retailers retain discretion in how approved network charges are reflected in customer offers, and consumers are encouraged to use the AER's Energy Made Easy website to compare offers. Regulated electricity distributors across ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, and TAS are now operating under approved network charge parameters for the upcoming regulatory year.
Archived snapshot
Apr 25, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
AER approves 2026–27 pricing proposals for electricity distributors
Type Communications Sector Electricity Segment Distribution Issue date
24 April 2026
AER reference AER25011815 Contacts General enquiries - Pricing The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published the approved electricity distributors’ annual pricing proposals and network charges for 2026–27 for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australian, and Tasmania.
This follows an assessment by the AER of each of the proposals and proposed drivers to ensure they are consistent with the National Electricity Rules and each distributor’s five-year regulatory revenue determination.
In 2026–27 network charges are mostly increasing, the main drivers being the revenue paths set in the applicable determinations, increasing transmission costs, inflation, and the recovery of previously under-recovered revenue. For NSW networks increases are also driven by increased costs related to the NSW Roadmap. For SA increasing transmission costs also include the recovery of costs related to the Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism.
Our Statement of Reasons for each electricity distributor provide a summary of the changes in network charges and demand forecasts.
These network charges will be incorporated into retail electricity prices for the upcoming 2026–27 year. Retailers ultimately determine how these underlying network charges are reflected in the retail prices offered to customers. The AER acknowledges that electricity bills are a concern to many households and businesses. We encourage consumers to use the AER’s Energy Made Easy website, our free and independent price comparison tool, to find the best offer to suit their needs.
The AER will also use the approved network charges for New South Wales, South Australia, and South-East Queensland (Energex) in the final 2026–27 Default Market Offer that will be published by 26 May.
We will receive and assess pricing proposals for Victorian electricity distributors in May, following the release of the final determinations for the 2026–31 regulatory period.
A copy of all the approved network charges can be accessed here.
View the approved proposals and our Statement of Reasons for each distributor here:
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Parties
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