Independent Review of the Code
The independent reviewers from PATHMAKER and grids gave a presentation about their final report, including key findings and ten key recommendations. They said that the overall conclusion of the Report is that the NETCC remains valuable and necessary,
provides a nationally consistent consumer protection benchmark, and it fills a regulatory gap not covered elsewhere.
Following the presentation, the reviewers and the Council discussed the increasing tension between delivering the Code as an industry best practice and minimum standards; the pressures of adapting the Code in an increasingly fragmented system; opportunities to build value in order to retain signatories; and the estimated cost of implementing the uplift recommendations of the Report.
The Chair thanked PATHMAKER and grids for their efforts in preparing the Independent Review.
The NETCC Manager confirmed that the Final Report of the Independent Review would be published on the NETCC website, and that the recommendations would direct the program’s future strategic uplift efforts.
ACCC reauthorisation update
In May 2026 the ACCC released its draft determination supporting the reauthorisation of the NETCC for five years, subject to conditions:
1) An additional consumer representative on the Monitoring and Compliance Panel;
2) Continued publication of quarterly compliance reporting;
3) Clarification of the complaint investigation wording in the Code.
The Administrator provided an overview of the plan to transition signatories to the new authorised Code, including the 14 day Opt-Out Window and positive consent requirement for new and renewing signatories. Council supported clear communication to signatories about the minor and essentially administrative changes to the Code.
Administrator update
The Administrator advised that July 2026 had recorded the highest number of applications for Signatory status in the program’s history. Applications from New South Wales increased approximately 13-fold following the launch of the NSW Home Energy Saver Program. Two additional NETCC Officers and two compliance officers had been recruited to manage the increase in workload.
The Administrator will engage with Ombudsman offices regarding complaints handling.
Next meeting
The next meeting is to be confirmed.
