Market Advisory Committee Review

The need for a comprehensive review of the MAC has arisen primarily due to the dynamic nature of the energy market and the substantial reforms that have occurred and continue to occur. The purpose of the Review is to ensure that the MAC’s structure, functions and processes remain fit-for-purpose in light of the evolving market.

The need for a review also arises due to the transition from the former Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) Rules to the ESM Rules following the amendments to the Electricity Industry Act 2004 (EI Act) made by the Electricity Industry (Distributed Energy Resources) Amendment Act 2024 (DER Act). These changes mean that the WEM Rules are renamed the Electricity System and Market (ESM) Rules, and their scope is expanded to address matters contained in other regulatory instruments. As a result, the content the MAC will be required to provide advice on will expand significantly and become more technically complex.

As a result, a review of the structure and operation of the MAC was commenced, to ensure that it remains able to perform its functions effectively and that it is fit for purpose to provide advice on the expanded ESM Rules as the energy transition continues.

The Review of the MAC is assessing whether the:

MAC is fit for purpose, and in particular, that it operates efficiently and provides balanced, timely and useful advice to the Coordinator;

MAC operates for the good of the WEM Objectives; and
MAC members are participating in the interests of the stakeholder groups that they represent rather than representing the specific interest of any organisation or person.

The Review is being undertaken in three stages:

Stage 1: Independent review and recommendations

Stage 2: Design proposals for revised MAC arrangements

Stage 3: WEM Amending Rules and MAC Constitution changes

The Review was supported by an independent consultant, who was responsible for Stage 1 of the Review in consultation with MAC members, other Market Participants and other key stakeholders through surveys and one-to-one consultations.

ACIL Allen was engaged by the Coordinator to undertake Stage 1 of the Review, and recommend any changes necessary. The window for submitting feedback closed at 5:00pm (AWST) on 31 May 2024.

ACIL Allen’s Consultation Paper was published 6 May 2024 and set out the initial recommendation and observations on the Review.

ACIL Allen made six recommendations for reform. The Coordinator proposed to accept two of the recommendations made by ACIL Allen and published a Consultation Paper seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposals and the resulting draft amendments to the ESM Rules to implement the proposed changes. The window for submitting feedback closed at 5:00pm (AWST) 7 July 2025.

Energy Policy WA (EPWA) has considered all stakeholder submissions on the Consultation Paper and has revised its initial proposals to address the stakeholder feedback.

The Coordinator’s response to stakeholders’ submissions and the final Review Outcomes are set out in the MAC Review Information Paper published on 6 October 2025.

The revised draft ESM Amending Rules are available in the MAC Review: Exposure Draft of Electricity System and Market Amending Rules. The window for submitting feedback on the Exposure Draft closed at 5:00pm (AWST) 27 October 2025.

Following consultation, the ESM Amending Rules, with any appropriate amendments to address stakeholders’ input, will be submitted to the Minister for Energy for making and gazettal.

The Constitution and composition of the MAC will be amended as a result of the Review. Further information on the current MAC membership is available on the Market Advisory Committee (MAC) page.