Connections Reform Initiative - December 2025 update

Pre-application Support Services

The Pre-Application Support Services workstream introduces an optional phase in the connection process to enable early collaboration and provision of feedback to the Connection Applicant during the project development phase, thereby reducing later rework and facilitating procurement of long lead items. 

The workstream has co-designed a Pre-application Support Services Guideline, which outlines a suite of optional service packages, including: 

• Preliminary design review
• Harmonic performance review
• Partial DMAT review
• Critical technical standards review
• Wide area integration and partial assessment
• Other bespoke services upon request.

The Pre-application Support Services Guideline is now available on the AEMO website. We encourage you to explore the available packages and consider how they can support your project. 

Join us for a webinar on 24 February 2026 at 2:00 PM, where we’ll introduce and explain Pre-application Support Services. 

Register for the webinar here: AEMO Connections Reform Webinar Series : Pre-Application 

The R1 workstream is focused on addressing long-standing industry concerns about the clarity of modelling and analysis requirements during the connection registration (R1) phase. CEC lodged a rule change request, resulting in new rules to improve investment certainty by clarifying the process for assessing a generator’s ability to meet its performance standards, and removing barriers to revisions of generator performance standards. 

To meet a new obligation under NER 5.3.7A, the project team co-designed the R1 Capability Assessment Guideline and R1 Capability Assessment Form through a series of workshops, involving a cross-section of industry participants. Following formal consultation, the final versions were published on 27 June 2025. 

The Guideline and Form are now part of the Registration Information Resource and Guidelines (RIRG) suite, and include: 

• Fit-for-purpose scoping (focus assessment on material changes made since 5.3.4A)
• Methodology for assessing materiality and managing non-compliances.
• Pathways for conditional registration

AEMO hosted a webinar on 5 August 2025 to present detail of the final Guideline and Form, share key insights, and respond to stakeholder questions. 

The Commissioning workstream has developed a new principles-based commissioning framework that enables plant to reach full output efficiently whilst maintaining system security and reliability.  

The framework has been trialled on a series of active projects, and learnings have been incorporated into a new Commissioning Guideline. In addition, a Commissioning Toolkit, including sample templates and test descriptions, has also been created to assist Proponents in developing their commissioning programs in accordance with the new guideline.  

The Commissioning Guideline and Toolkit will be available on the AEMO website in January 2026. 

Join us for a webinar on 10 February 2026 at 2:00 PM, where we’ll introduce and explain the Commissioning Guideline and Toolkit. 

Register for the webinar here: AEMO Connections Reform Webinar Series : Commissioning 

NER 5.3.9 Guidance 

The NER 5.3.9 Guidance workstream is focused on improving the process for assessing generating system or integrated resource system alterations.  

The NER 5.3.9 workstream has developed a series of resources to support Proponents in undertaking a NER 5.3.9 application with the intent of making it clearer and more efficient. A suite of guidelines, forms and supporting scenario fact sheets are available on the AEMO website: 

• NER 5.3.9 Process Guideline
• GS or IRS Change Form
• Factsheet series:
  • NER Change Mechanism fact sheet
  • Firmware Updatefactsheet
  • Like-for-like Replacement fact sheet
  • BESS Connection fact sheet–due to be published in early 2026
• Following review, theR1 Capability Assessment scenario fact sheet has been integrated into the NER 5.3.9 Process Guideline.

Join us for a webinar on 30 January 2026 at 2:00 PM, where we’ll introduce and explain the NER 5.3.9 Guideline, Change Form and fact sheet series, and how they can be used in your project. 

Register for the webinar here: AEMO Connections Reform Webinar Series : NER 5.3.9 

The Automatic Access Standards (AAS) workstream aims to improve the efficiency of the process for negotiating access standards. This will be achieved by delivering a guidance document that supports consistent interpretation of the requirement to propose a negotiated access standard that is ‘as close as practicable to the AAS’. Building on elements of the CEC’s Investment Certainty rule change request, this workstream commenced in July 2025.  

The draft guidance document will undergo industry consultation in early 2026, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to review and contribute before finalisation. 

Early Assessment Framework 

The OEM Data and Modelling Workstream has been developing an Early Assessment Framework (EAF) which aims to: 

• Ensure model robustness and quality of supporting documentation
• Reduce duplication of assessment across projects  

Several workshops were held with OEMs and NSPs to establish the purpose, structure and critical design considerations for the EAF. Following this, a draft EAF Guideline has been developed, and the workstream is working with OEMs to identify opportunities to implement this framework.  

The draft EAF Guideline will be published on the AEMO website in January 2026. The final Guideline will assess learnings gained from early implementation. If you have any questions about the EAF guideline or service offerings, please reach out to the AEMO project team.