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Overview

The Victorian Government is introducing a new approach to managing how energy generation and storage projects access Victoria’s electricity transmission network, known as the Victorian Access Regime.

We recognise there is a strong pipeline of projects in development in Victoria.

Whenever new policies are introduced, it's important to set up transitional arrangements to support the shift from the old policy to the new.

We want to ensure viable projects can connect in Victoria, while we deliver on reforms to improve community and Traditional Owner outcomes from the renewable energy transition.

Projects that are eligible for transitional arrangements will need to apply for access but will work through a streamlined application process.

Why we need transitional arrangements?

We are developing transitional arrangements to ensure projects that are well progressed under the current regime are not excessively impacted by the change.

Projects that are connected, operational or in receipt of an offer to connect from AEMO or VicGrid, before the new regime takes effect, will not be required to apply for a renewable energy zone scheme authority or grid impact authority.

Projects eligible for transitional arrangements

Projects that may be eligible for transitional arrangements include:

  • successful projects from Capacity Investment Scheme tenders
  • successful offshore wind projects from the Victorian Government's proposed auction for the first 2 GW of offshore wind energy capacity
  • projects that have not yet received an offer to connect but are in advanced stages of development.

Each eligible project will be assessed individually.

Criteria for transitional arrangements

We are currently developing the assessment criteria for transitional arrangements, which are proposed to include:

  • minimum required criteria from the renewable energy zone access scheme and Grid Impact Assessment application processes
  • a clear and credible pathway to delivery in the short to medium term, for example, being able to deliver the project by 2030
  • demonstrating community, landholder and Traditional Owner engagement and social and economic benefits planning.

VicGrid is reviewing feedback on what else should be considered when determining what projects are eligible for transitional arrangements and assessment criteria.

Consultation

We consulted on the following 3 documents to ensure design of the Victorian Access Regime considers potential impacts and opportunities and delivers on its aims.

  1. Access and Connections Consultation Paper: an overview of the proposed new arrangements, including proposed transitional arrangements for projects under development.
  2. Draft Grid Impact Assessment (GIA) Guidelines: details of the assessment that will apply to projects outside renewable energy zones.
  3. Draft Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines: minimum expectations for renewable energy and transmission project developers in how they engage with and create social value and economic benefits for communities, Traditional Owners and landholders in Victoria.

Submissions closed on 5 November 2025.

Learn more about what we heard through feedback in our What we heard reports. Feedback will be used to inform the Access and Connections Handbook, Grid Impact Assessment Guidelines and Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines.

Next steps

We are progressing with the design of the Victorian Access Regime and expect the regime to commence in July 2027. Current open access arrangements remaining in place until then.

Once the new access regime takes effect:

  • All new generation and storage projects connecting to Victoria’s transmission network will need an access authority (a licence) before they can receive an offer to connect to the network.
  • All projects seeking to establish, modify or alter a connection to the declared shared network (DSN) will need to apply for access via the renewable energy zone (REZ) access schemes or the Grid Impact Assessment respectively (unless exempt from the new regime).

Find out more at Engage Victoria.

Page last updated: 15/06/26