AER sets 2026–27 compliance priorities: Focus on smart meters, consumer vulnerability

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2026–27, setting out where it will focus its attention across the energy sector for the year ahead. Smart meter rollout, power system security and consumer vulnerability protections have all been named as key areas of focus.

What the AER is prioritising

Each year, the AER identifies the areas where it expects to see the greatest risk of harm to consumers and the biggest opportunities to improve compliance across the market. For 2026–27, two themes matter most for small business (SME) customers.

Smart meters

As the accelerated smart meter rollout continues, the AER is keeping a close eye on how retailers, distributors and metering coordinators handle the transition. That means making sure customers get clear, timely information about meter installations, any resulting tariff changes, and how to resolve site defects. Explicit informed consent for retail tariff changes remains firmly on the AER's radar, along with accurate and timely billing once a smart meter is installed.

Consumer vulnerability

The AER continues to prioritise outcomes for customers experiencing vulnerability, including access to hardship protections and affordable payment plans. For small businesses feeling the pinch of rising costs, this is a welcome area of ongoing attention.

Why it matters for SMEs

Increased regulatory scrutiny on metering and consumer protections has real, practical flow-on effects for how small businesses are onboarded and supported.

For SME customers, it means being extra clear during sign-up about what a smart meter transition might mean for their plan, their tariff, and their bill. If a customer is moving between meter types or tariff structures, they need to understand what's changing and why, in plain language, before they agree to anything.

Many small business owners are running shops, trades, or professional practices with no time to dig through fine print. The AER's focus on informed consent and clear billing is a timely reminder that energy providers need to explain changes in a way business owners can actually act on, not just tick a compliance box.

What to watch

Expect continued focus from the AER on hardship policies, billing accuracy following meter installations, and how clearly retailers explain tariff changes to customers. For small businesses already juggling a lot, having an energy plan they actually understand matters more than ever.

How Zembl can help

Navigating a smart meter transition or a tariff change shouldn't be another thing on a small business owner's to-do list. Zembl does the legwork on energy so businesses don't have to. Our Energy Experts run a free, no-obligation bill comparison in a quick phone call, explaining any changes in plain language and finding a competitive deal that suits how the business actually uses energy. From comparison through to sign-up, we handle it so business owners can get back to running their business, not reading through energy bills.

Read the AER's full release here: AER releases 2026–27 compliance and enforcement priorities