When a Clean Energy Regulator letter arrives, the first thing to do is read it twice. These letters take a few forms, and the form tells you what the regulator wants and how seriously to take it.
The kinds of contact
An audit or review letter says certain installations are being checked and asks for supporting evidence. It lists the systems, usually by address or STC reference, and a deadline.
A compliance notice or statutory notice is a formal request to provide information or documents. It cites the legal basis, sets a due date and warns of the consequences of not complying. A failure to respond to a statutory notice can itself be grounds for action against a registered person.
An inspection notice relates to a physical visit, covered in the site inspection page.
What they usually ask for
- installation photos that match the photo requirements
- the signed STC assignment form and owner details
- the installer’s accreditation and proof they attended or supervised
- equipment details: panel and inverter models, serial numbers
- the electrical safety documentation, such as certificates of electrical safety or equivalent in your state
- dates for installation, commissioning and connection
How to respond
- Read the deadline and the scope. Note every system and every document requested.
- Pull the job files. Gather originals rather than rebuilding from memory.
- Check for gaps. If a photo is missing, do not create or alter anything. Say what you have and explain what you do not.
- Reply in full by the due date. Use the method the letter specifies.
- Keep a copy of what you sent and when.
Never fabricate, backdate or doctor evidence. Doing so converts an administrative problem into a criminal one; see penalties for false photos and declarations.
After you reply
The CER assesses what you provided. Outcomes range from no further action, through requiring corrections or additional evidence, to STCs being marked invalid and, in serious cases, action against the registered person or installer. If STCs are invalidated, the question of who bears the loss follows; see who pays when CER takes back STCs.
What this means for installers
Audits are won by record-keeping done at the time of the job. Our guide to how STC audits work explains what is checked, and the top rejection reasons show the usual weak points.
If you want a compliance desk to pre-check claims before lodgement, see how it works or start trading. For the broader picture, read the STC trading overview.