On 25 June 2026, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) published a consultation paper that included Electricity Network Australia’s (ENA) rule change request on electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI).  

This rule change by ENA seeks to address what is described as a ‘chicken and egg’ problem with the uptake of electric vehicles and the deployment of EVCI, and to ‘unlock affordable EV charging’ that is accessible to the public. ENA considers that public EV charging is important for reducing emissions in the transport sector and for better utilising the existing electricity grid's capacity.

The ENA proposes changes to the National Electricity Rules (NER), including  the service classification provisions, which at a high level would allow distribution network service providers (DNSPs) to roll out kerbside EVCI connected to existing distribution assets (e.g. power poles) on an ongoing basis. This would provide retailers and other commercial suppliers of EV charging services with open access to EVCI services

The changes proposed would allow DNSPs to recover the costs of rolling out kerbside EVCI from electricity consumers through regulated charges and to use their existing infrastructure, workforce and systems to roll out the EVCI. The proposal would also require DNSPs that intend to install EVCI to publish a Distribution EVCI Deployment Strategy.

The rule change request is being conducted alongside the Electricity Network Regulation Review

The consultation paper that includes the ENA rule change request on ECVI is also the first step for Package 1 of the Electricity Network Regulation Review (ENRR or the Review) and the Clarifying distribution ringfencing in emerging energy markets (ERC0437) rule change request from Nexa Advisory. These three projects raise important questions about the role of networks and the boundaries of network regulation.  

Considering these rule change requests alongside the review will allow the Commission to assess them against a consistent set of policy principles and in the broader context of the evolving regulatory framework.

Package 1 of the ENRR (EPR0106) focuses on the question of what services NSPs should provide in a regulated capacity in this changing environment, and whether the current service regulation and contestability framework in the NER continues to promote the long term interests of consumers. Click here to view the project page.

Submissions to the consultation paper close on 23 July 2026.

More on the Clarifying distribution ringfencing in emerging energy markets (ERC0437) rule change

This rule change request proposes strengthening the ring-fencing framework for distribution services by elevating certain requirements from an AER guideline to the NER and adding additional protections. 

Read the fact sheet: The Electricity Network Regulation Review and related rule change requests below for more information.

Extension for making a draft determination 

The AEMC will also extend the time to make a draft determination on the rule change request due to the breadth and complexity of the issues raised. We plan to publish a draft determination by 20 May 2027. This will allow the Commission to publish a directions paper at the end of 2026 to test draft policy positions and undertake stakeholder engagement. We will aim to provide a draft determination earlier than this date, if possible.

Next steps for the rule change is as follows:

• Stakeholder consultation period until 23 July 2026
• The AEMC will host a public forum in August 2026
• A directions paper for both rule change requests will be published by the end of December 2026 alongside a final report for the ENRR Package 1
• We plan to publish a draft determination by 20 May 2027.