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Electricity Industry Code


The fourth edition of the Electricity Industry Code came into effect from 4 August 2008.  The Electricity Industry Code has been amended to facilitate the introduction of a National Metrology Procedure.

The National Electricity Market Management Company (which was replaced by the Australian Energy Market Operator on 1 July 2009) has developed a single metrology framework for first and second tier metering across the National Electricity Market. The new framework was published as a National Metrology Procedure on 28 April 2008 and became effective on 31 July 2008. This framework largely replaces the various State metering provisions for first and second tier customers.

Under version 4 of the Code, the metrology provisions contained in the Code will only apply to those customers whose metering arrangements are not covered by the National Procedure.

The amended Code also incorporates a minor amendment to Clause 3.6.2 to correct an existing error. A minor change to the definition of 'metrology procedure' included in the Standard Retail Contract was also required.

The terms of the standard retail contract, standard connection contract and standard coordination agreement are annexed to the Code.

Download the Electricity Industry Code (Fourth Edition) (PDF - 525KB)

Download Annexure A - Standard Connection Contract (PDF - 171KB)

Download Annexure B - Standard Retail Contract (PDF - 160KB) 

Download Annexure C - Standard Coordination Agreement (PDF - 157KB) 

History of the Electricity Industry Code

In line with the Queensland Government's commitment to improving customer service and reliability of supply for electricity consumers, a new Electricity Industry Code was implemented from 1 January 2005 to introduce guaranteed levels of service and performance requirements for Queensland's electricity distributors, ENERGEX and Ergon Energy.

The Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) scheme entitles customers to rebates on their electricity bill if they don't receive a satisfactory level of customer service. These GSLs and associated rebates apply to all small customers of ENERGEX or Ergon Energy (most domestic and small business customers).

A revised edition of the Electricity Industry Code came into effect from 1 September 2006, and replaced the first edition of the Code.  As well as the matters covered by the first edition of the Code, this second edition of the Code included the terms of the standard customer sale contracts and standard customer connection contracts which apply to non-contestable customers (most domestic and small business customers) and some contestable customers in Queensland. These have been replaced in the third edition of the Code by a standard connection contract which applies to all customers who have not entered a negotiated connection contract, and a standard retail contract for all small customers who have not entered into a negotiated retail contract. Find out more about these standard customer contracts.

The third edition of the Electricity Industry Code, which came into effect from 1 July 2007, was amended for the introduction of full retail competition (FRC) from this date.

As well as the matters contained in the second edition of the Code, this third edition contains many elements of the customer protection framework for FRC, including:

  • A 10 business day cooling off period on all negotiated retail contracts
  • Minimum terms and conditions of negotiated contracts with small customers
  • A Marketing code of conduct for retailers and their marketing agents

Download the Electricity Industry Code, Third Edition, including Annexures A, B & C (effective 1 July 2007)

Download the Electricity Industry Code, Second Edition, including Annexures A & B (effective 1 September 2006) (PDF - 389KB)

Download a November 2006 Gazette Notice (PDF - 662KB) about an administrative change to Annexure B of the Electricity Industry Code, Second Edition which supports the Queensland Government's process to restructure and sell its electricity retail businesses.

Download the Electricity Industry Code, First Edition (effective 1 January 2005) (PDF - 180KB)

Fact Sheets for the second edition of the Electricity Industry Code

Network Management Plans

Under the Electricity Industry Code, ENERGEX and Ergon Energy are also required to deliver annual Network Management Plans, providing detailed information about their plans for maintaining their networks and catering for the needs of Queensland electricity consumers in the future.

ENERGEX and Ergon released preliminary Network Management Plans in December 2004 and updated them in mid 2005.

View ENERGEX's Network Management Plan

View Ergon Energy's Network Management Plan

Electricity Distribution and Service Delivery Review

In March 2004 the Government commissioned an independent panel to review Queensland's electricity distribution system. This was in response to concerns expressed about the performance of the distribution system, or network, during the series of storms and hot weather in January and February 2004.

The independent panel looked at the performance of the two distribution companies (ENERGEX and Ergon), their expenditure programs, and their internal and external communication systems and processes.

The panel made forty-four recommendations, which are contained in its detailed report Electricity Distribution and Service Delivery for the 21st Century.

Government's action plan

The Queensland Government, ENERGEX, Ergon Energy and the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) have worked together to develop an action plan to address the recommendations made by the Independent Review. The plan outlines a clear course of action and commitment by each organisation to deliver on the panel's recommendations.

An Action Plan for Queensland Electricity Distribution (PDF 241kb)

The Action Plan sets out new Government requirements for:

  1. ENERGEX and Ergon Energy to develop Summer Preparedness Plans. The plans commit the businesses to increase vegetation management, target capital expenditure to improve key parts of the distribution systems and to develop more effective customer communication strategies.
  2. New mandatory minimum service standards that ENERGEX and Ergon Energy must deliver. These standards will ensure that ENERGEX and Ergon Energy improve their reliability performance across their networks.
  3. A comprehensive monitoring and reporting framework to provide increased public accountability for ENERGEX and Ergon Energy's service performance.
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Last Updated 13 August 2009