Overview
- Starting July 2026 in New South Wales, south‑east Queensland and South Australia, retailers must offer an opt‑in plan that provides three free daytime hours to households with smart meters.
- The Australian Energy Regulator will oversee implementation and has been directed to prevent retailers from lifting prices outside the free window to recoup costs.
- Officials say shifting use to the middle of the day will absorb excess rooftop solar, reduce evening peak stress and cut the need for new generation or network upgrades.
- Government estimates indicate substantial savings for households that move high‑use appliances into the free period, with examples approaching $800 a year.
- Industry bodies criticize the lack of prior consultation and warn of possible cost‑shifting or pressure on smaller retailers, as details such as daily timing and national expansion to 2027 go to consultation.