Retail Applications
ENERGY RETAIL AUTHORISATION, LICENCE & OTHER APPLICATIONS
energy compliance experts
Your dedicated application team
Entering Australia’s energy retail market requires careful navigation of a complex regulatory application process. Depending on where your business intends to operate, this may involve obtaining an electricity or gas retail authorisation from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), or a retail licence from the Essential Services Commission (ESC) in Victoria.
EGC manages the entire application process – from initial scoping and application strategy through to document preparation, submission, regulator engagement and post-approval compliance implementation. We act as your dedicated application team, coordinating every element of the process so that you can remain focused on establishing and launching your broader business.
What does an energy retail authorisation or licence application involve?
Applicants must demonstrate that they have the financial resources, organisational capability, systems and governance arrangements required to operate an energy retail business and comply with their regulatory obligations.
A typical application requires the preparation of:
- Business plan: Market strategy, target customers, pricing approach, and growth projections.
- Financial viability: Capital adequacy, funding arrangements, financial models, stress testing and supporting financial evidence.
- Compliance management system: A structured framework for identifying, managing, monitoring and reporting regulatory obligations.
- Policies and procedures: Depending on the proposed customer base, these may cover billing, payment difficulties and hardship, complaints, life support, marketing, privacy and customer communications.
- Organisational capability: Evidence that the business has the personnel, expertise, governance arrangements, systems and service providers required to operate effectively.
- Technical readiness: Billing, customer management, metering, market settlement, data management and regulatory reporting arrangements.
Preparing a complete application from the ground up can take several months and requires input across regulatory, financial, operational and technical workstreams. EGC streamlines this process through proven application frameworks, established documentation and practical experience engaging with energy regulators.
Two regulatory pathways
AER Authorisation & ESC Licence
Our work covers the two main regulatory pathways for energy retailers entering the Australian market.
AER Retail Authorisation
For retailers entering New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory under the National Energy Customer Framework (NECF).
- Initial eligibility assessment and gap analysis
- Full application package preparation
- All required policies and procedures drafted
- Regulator liaison throughout assessment
- Responding to AER information requests
- Post-authorisation compliance setup option
ESC Retail Licence
Victoria operates its own energy licensing framework separate from the NECF.
- Assessment of licence class requirements
- Preparation of the ESC application
- All required policies and procedures drafted
- Coordination with ESC case officers
- Supporting documentation for conditions
- Post-licence compliance framework setup option
Additional Applications & services
Many new entrants also require supporting registrations, licences, and services to support their retail business. We offer these as part of a coordinated market entry program.
- AEMO registration ( such as Market Customer; Integrated Resource Provider; Generator)
- Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) applications
- Wholesale market registration support
Our approach
A proven 4-phase process
Every engagement is tailored, but our typical process follows four structured phases designed to get you to market efficiently.
Scoping & Gap Analysis
We assess your business model, target markets, and current state of readiness to identify any gaps and provide a clear roadmap for preparing a strong retail authorisation application.
Application Preparation
The heavy lifting. With inputs from your team, we draft all required documents, policies, and procedures using proven templates refined across dozens of applications.
Submission & Engagement
We manage the submission, act as your regulator point of contact, and support you with preparing responses to information requests and supplementary questions from the regulators.
Post-Approval Setup
We transition you into compliant operations with a suite of our dedicated retail systems, including obligations registers, reporting calendars, ongoing compliance frameworks, and our team to support your retail operations.