Two questions, one answer: do battery installers need a battery accreditation, and does that mean SAA? For batteries earning STCs under the program, yes on both.
What is required
An installer needs:
- The electrical licence for the work in their state. This is a state regulator matter and is not replaced by accreditation.
- SAA accreditation covering battery storage, since Solar Accreditation Australia is the accrediting body for the small-scale scheme installer work.
- Compliance with the installation standards, including AS/NZS 5139 for battery installations. See our page on AS/NZS 5139.
Accreditation is not a licence to avoid supervision rules: where a non-accredited person does part of the work, an accredited installer must supervise on site, and the supervision arrangement should be documented.
Why a solar accreditation may not be enough
Solar and battery work overlap, but accreditation is granted against defined competencies. A crew accredited for rooftop PV does not automatically cover battery systems. Check the accreditation record for the installer’s name and the scope, rather than relying on memory or a business-level claim.
What the regulator looks at
The Clean Energy Regulator checks that the person named on the claim holds current accreditation on the date of installation, that the work was done or supervised as stated, and that the paperwork is consistent. Problems usually show up as:
- An expired accreditation on the install date.
- An accreditation number on the claim that does not match the person who attended.
- No evidence of who was on site.
- A supervision claim without a record.
What this means for installers
Keep an accreditation register for your crew with expiry dates and scope, and check it before rostering battery jobs. Record who attended, in what role, on each job. If you subcontract, get the subcontractor’s details and supervision arrangement before the job, not after. Our guide to how STC audits work shows what an auditor asks for.
When you lodge with us, the compliance desk checks the accreditation details alongside the photos and serials before the claim goes in, the rate on /pricing/ locks on lodgement of a complete claim, and established partners are settled in 24 hours. See /start-trading/.
What this means for homeowners
You can verify an installer on the SAA public lookup in a minute and confirm the electrical licence with your state regulator. See checking an accreditation number and the battery STC pillar page.
Recurring questions
What if an accredited installer leaves the business mid-job? The claim must still name the person who did or supervised the work. Record the handover, and do not substitute a name afterwards.
Does accreditation cover the whole business? No. It is held by an individual, so the roster matters, not just the company name on the invoice.