On 23 April 2026, the Commission published a draft determination and a more preferable draft rule (draft rule) to enhance distribution network planning and reporting.

The draft rule would address the identified emerging challenges for long term distribution planning by requiring Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) to adopt a new distribution network planning process. It would also establish a new principles-based framework for distribution network data reporting.

We are now seeking feedback from stakeholders on our draft determination and rule. Stakeholders can provide a written submission to the draft determination by 4 June 2026. We will also hold a public forum on Thursday, 14 May 2026. Further information on the public forum, including a registration link, is available here.

Our draft rule would facilitate enhanced distribution network planning

1.    A new distribution network development plan (DNDP).

The draft rule would replace the existing annual planning process with the DNDP. The DNDP is intended to provide a clear, long term view of how distribution networks are expected to develop under a range of plausible futures.

It would achieve this by requiring each DNSP to:

• publish a DNDP every five years, aligned with their regulatory proposals. 
• adopt a 20 year planning horizon for their DNDP
• use the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Inputs, Assumptions and Scenarios Report as the baseline for their own scenarios
• explain how it has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including consumers during the development of its DNDP
• identify emerging network limitations, risks and opportunities, including the role of non network options and CER.

2.    An annual update

To maintain near to medium term planning transparency, DNSPs would be required to publish a concise annual update. The annual update would focus on material changes since the DNDP or previous update, including:

• regulatory investment test for distribution projects that have been completed or progressed
• joint planning with other network service providers
• engagement with providers of non‑network options.

Our draft rule would facilitate enhanced data reporting

The draft rule would also establish a new principles based framework for distribution network data reporting. The framework is intended to improve the collection and publication of distribution network data, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to the outcomes of other ongoing projects, such as the national CER roadmap.

Under the framework: 

• DNSPs would publish data in accordance with requirements set out in Australian Energy Regulator (AER) guidelines.
• A purpose would be established in the rules, which would clarify the types of distribution data that are intended to be captured by the AER's guidelines.
• The AER would be required to consider the purpose and three principles, including the net economic benefit of compliance with the guidelines and publicly available data, when developing the guidelines. 

Background 

On 22 January 2025 the AEMC received a rule change request from Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) seeking to reform the current distribution annual planning process.

The AEMC has undertaken two rounds of consultation on the issues identified by ECA through a consultation paper published on 26 June 2025 and a directions paper published on 16 October 2025. The directions paper also outlined three potential solutions to address the emerging challenges for distribution planning for consultation with stakeholders.

In our most recent round of consultation on the directions paper, we received 24 submissions and held a public forum. This feedback has informed the policy positions we adopted for our draft determination and draft rule.