Accreditation transition

The CEC is preparing to hand over administration of installer and designer accreditation.

Message from Pallavi Guha

Director, Regulation Industry Programs & Advisory Services

We are proud of the role we have played in building robust installer and accreditation programs, alongside administering the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program for retailers and product listing program for manufacturers.

The rooftop solar industry in Australia is world-leading and over the past 16 years our CEC team have played a critical role in upholding regulatory framework to drive industry best practice and improve industry behaviour to ensure customers are treated fairly and honestly.

Together with the industry, we have been building significant social license with the communities as they are benefiting from power bill savings.

Immediate changes to CEC accreditation

The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) is on track to decide, and announce, the outcome of the installer and designer accreditation scheme application process in February 2024. There is now a call to installers and designers to prepare for a change in provider of the accreditation program.

To support a smooth transition to new provider, the CEC is introducing two key changes to CEC Accreditation for those planning to submit a new application before February 2024. In the section below you will find information on the early cut-off dates for new applications and shorter accreditation periods at significantly reduced fees.

Click on the link below to go to relevant section

1. Information about change in accreditation provider
2. If you are an existing CEC accredited installer/designer
3. If you are planning to submit a new application to CEC before February 2024

The CEC team is here if you need further guidance. Please email us at [email protected]

Information about change in accreditation provider(s)

Future administrators of the three accreditation programs for the solar industry

As you may be aware, the CER sought applications for approved accreditation scheme operator/s (ASOs) and a nominated product listing body (for solar panels and inverters).

Why the CEC chose not to continue as the administrator of accreditation for installers and designers

Through this process the CEC has considered how our technical experts can best support the industry amid complex and competing priorities including standards changes and regulatory reforms.

Transitioning out of the role of administering accreditation will allow the CEC to focus on strong advocacy for the solar industry as well as increased support for installers to ensure they have access to quality training, are kept up to date on latest industry developments and supported to navigate the complex industry standards and requirements.

Update: Change announced by CER on 21 November 2023

• There is no fee to transition your accreditation to the new accreditation provider.
• The new accreditation provider will honour CEC accreditation expiry dates and fees paid. An accreditation renewal fee will be due on expiry of your existing CEC accreditation.
• If your accreditation expires on or after the CER has made and announced its decision, you must accredit yourself with the new accreditation provider to remain eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). This will attract a fee.
• There are no immediate proposed changes to accreditation requirements, including relevant training units. The new accreditation provider will recognise Continuous Professional Development (CPD) completed under the CEC’s accreditation scheme.

Further information is available on the regulators website – CER’s November ASO update

Transition period to new provider

The CER is leading the industry transition for installer/designer accreditation. Over the past few months, the CEC have been collaborating with CER to enable the transition as simply and smoothly as possible.

CEC Accreditation will cease to be recognised under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), three months from the CER's date of decision in February 2024. This means when the new provider is approved, all installers and designers must transition their accreditation across to the new provider for installed systems to be eligible for STCs. This means:

• If you are considering submitting a new application before February, please be aware of the cut-off dates with shorter accreditation periods and significantly reduced fees introduced on 17 November 2023.
• If you have an application with CEC, please respond to our enquiries as soon as possible.
• Applications that are not finalised before the CER announces their decision will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply with the new provider (ASO).

The CEC appreciates the new provider will navigate an intensive three-month period to transition over 9000 installers and designers. CEC is ensuring new accreditation applications submitted from 17th November will expire in April 2024, giving the new provider time to transition installers and designers. We are offering the shorter accreditation at a heavily discounted application fee.

If you are an existing CEC accredited installer or designer

Accreditations expiring Feb 2024 onwards

You will be required to renew your accreditation with the new provider as and when the accreditation is due for renewal.

Update: On 21st November 2023, CER have confirmed that the new accreditation provider will honour existing CEC accreditation and expiry dates.

Call for action to installers and designers

• If you are planning to apply for accreditation, take note of the two key changes in CEC processes:
  • Cut-off period for applications as CEC is preparing for the transition
  • Shorter accreditation period with the CEC and heavily discounted application fees
• In order to prepare for the transition of accreditation away from the CEC, installers and designers should:
  • Finalise any outstanding compliance activities requested
  • Update your contact details via the CEC Portal
  • Ensure relevant electrical licenses are up-to-date
  • Subscribe to updates from the CER so that you receive any additional information early

If you are planning to submit a new application to CEC before February 2024

Training Requirements and CPD

We are urging all accredited people to ensure you are meeting your current obligations, as they stand today.

Update: On 21st November 2023, the CER confirmed there are no immediate proposed changes to accreditation requirements, including relevant training units. The new ASO will recognise continuous professional development completed under the CEC’s accreditation scheme.

Incomplete Applications once new provider is decided by CER

Once a new provider is announced CEC will not have the authority to issue accreditation. This means we must process all applications by January 2024. If you have an application with the CEC please ensure you respond to any requests for further information as soon as possible.

Applications that are not finalised before the CER announces their decision will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply with the new provider.

CHANGE 1: CEC cut-off dates for new application and duration of accreditation

To prepare for a handover to new provider after CER announces its decision in February 2024, the CEC is taking steps to reduce the impact on installers and designers and lower disruption across industry. The CEC is introducing changes to the current accreditation duration and application cut-off dates to ensure all applications submitted to the CEC are completed before the CER’s decision date.

• The CEC will cease to accept any new provisional accreditation and/or additional component applications from 12 January 2024. All applications after this date will need to be made with the future provider.
• The CEC will not accept any practical assessments from upgrade and additional component upgrade applications from 22 December 2023.
• Any provisionally accredited persons with an expiry date between December 2023 and April 2024 will have their provisional accreditation extended until April 2024 so that any future upgrade application can be reviewed by the new provider.
• For all upgrade and renewal applications processed from 17 November 2023, the accreditation expiry date will be set to April 2024. Application fees will be reduced to reflect the shortened accreditation period.

CHANGE 2: Reduced application fees

The CEC understands there may be a financial burden on installers and designers to get accredited by another organisation(s). The CEC wants to ensure installers and designers are able to work through the transition with minimal impact. To support the industry the CEC will offer significantly discounted application fees across multiple scenarios.

Kindly note the changes in fees and next steps for each scenario: