Licence exemption applications

Licence exemptions are used in a range of situations, from the provision of electricity for electric vehicle charging stations; provision for large companies to provide electricity to their subsidiary companies; and on-sellers in embedded energy networks.  

How to apply for an individual licence exemption

The Licence Exemption Application Guidelines provide information on the process and requirements to apply for an individual licence exemption.

To submit a licence exemption application or make an enquiry about licence exemptions email EPWA-licence-exemptions@deed.wa.gov.au.

Applicants should note that the licence exemption decision process takes approximately six months, and a successful outcome is not guaranteed. 

No new solar power purchase agreement licence exemption applications are accepted. 

Following a review of electricity retail licensing and exemptions, the Minister for Energy has determined that no additional solar power purchase agreement licence exemption applications will be accepted.

On 18 April 2023, the Governor approved some minor amendments to the Electricity Industry (Solar Power Purchase Agreements) Exemption Order 2016 to update the information of one exempt entity and remove two entities that no longer needed the exemption. Changes to the Order were gazetted on 21 April 2023.

On 25 July 2025, the Minister for Energy announced that on-site power supply arrangements, a term which includes Solar Power Purchase Agreements (SPPA), will be regulated under the Alternative Electricity Services (AES) registration framework. Mandatory registration and obligations under the AES Code are expected to commence from early 2027. Applicants should consider the impact of the AES registration framework on their activities. Visit Sharing the Power for more information.

• Ministerial Statement: Regulatory framework review of retail electricity licensing and exemptions (PDF)
• Fact sheet Solar PPA exemptions and retail licensing review (PDF)
• Review of licensing and exemption regulatory framework

Consultations and decisions

Energy Policy WA will publish licence exemption applications for public comment as part of the assessment process. Details of the open and closed consultations, along with decisions on licence exemption applications are outlined below.