Market Review: Open
Overview
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is undertaking a review (the Review) of the Integrated System Plan (ISP) framework. The AEMC is required to complete the Review by 1 July 2027 under clause 11.126.10 of the National Electricity Rules (NER).
The ISP framework is set out in rules 5.16A, 5.22 and 5.23 of the NER which include:
- the application of the regulatory investment test for transmission to actionable projects
- the content, methodology and governance of the ISP and
- how disputes relating to the ISP are addressed.
AEMO’s ISP has played a central role as a long term guide to, and network plan for, the efficient development of the electricity system since 2018. It has evolved over time and the ISP today, and its place within the broader electricity network planning frameworks, reflects a number of reviews and reform processes. These have aimed to ensure the ISP keeps pace with the evolving context of the energy transition.
The purpose of the Review is to determine how the current ISP framework best contributes to achieving the National Electricity Objective.
We published a consultation paper in December last year and received 22 submissions in response. The feedback in these submissions will now inform the draft policy positions for our directions paper and draft report.
We are extending the draft report and directions paper process
The Commission is extending the time to deliver the draft report for this review to 17 December 2026. The additional time will enable the Commission to address issues of sufficient complexity raised by stakeholders in relation to the consultation paper. This will also allow the Commission to publish a directions paper to test draft policy positions and undertake stakeholder engagement.
Next steps for the review are as follows:
- The AEMC will publish a directions paper in late July 2026, setting out proposed directions and key issues for further consideration.
- Stakeholder consultation on the directions paper will take place in August 2026.
- Following consultation, a draft report will be published on 17 December 2026.
We value stakeholder feedback and input and there will be future options and opportunities to provide feedback through the review process. Please use the contact project leader link on this page if you wish to contact the project team directly.