The NECF is being implemented through the introduction of legislation in all jurisdiction except Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The implementation process is being assisted at the Commonwealth level by an MCE appointed Joint Implementation Group (JIG).

“The new legislation will require significant changes to systems and processes for gas and electricity distributors and the ENA is working with the JIG to assist to facilitate these changes within an acceptable time frame,” said the Energy Networks Association.

According to the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism, the main objectives of the National Energy Customer Framework are to streamline the regulation of energy distribution and retail regulation functions in a national framework and to develop an efficient national retail energy market including appropriate consumer protection.

The NECF deals primarily with the following matters:

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  • The retailer-customer relationship, and associated rights, obligations and consumer protection measures;
  • Distributor interactions with customers and retailers, and associated rights, obligations and consumer protection measures;
  • Retailer authorisations; and,
  • Compliance monitoring and reporting; enforcement; and performance reporting.

The NECF will complete the transfer of distribution network regulation to the national framework, and provide the national framework for regulating the sale and supply of energy by retailers and distributors.