A Clean Energy Regulator audit is a check that the certificates you created are backed by an installation that was done properly, by the right people, with eligible equipment. Most audits start with a document request rather than a knock on the door, and the strength of your paperwork decides how painful they are.
What the CER looks at
The regulator compares what was lodged in the registry with the evidence behind it. That usually means:
- Installation photos that show the system as installed, serial numbers, the inverter, the array and the meter or switchboard.
- The signed STC assignment form and the customer’s details.
- Installer, designer and electrician licence and accreditation details, and who actually did the work.
- Panel and inverter model approvals against the CEC listings at the date of installation.
- The system size, postcode and installation date used to calculate the certificates.
Audits can be random or triggered by patterns such as repeat photo problems, odd installation dates or unusually high volumes. Our guide to how STC audits work goes deeper on the process.
The traps that turn a request into a problem
Most bad audit outcomes come from the same few things: photos that cannot be tied to the address, serial numbers that do not match the claim, forms signed after the fact, or work done by someone who was not accredited on the day. If a photo is missing, you cannot rebuild it later.
Getting ready before anyone asks
Keep one folder per job with the photos, the assignment form, the single-line diagram where relevant and the compliance certificate. Name it by address and date. Review a sample of your own jobs every quarter against the photo requirements, and fix habits, not just individual files.
What this means for installers
Your trader should be a second set of eyes. Energy Merchants’ compliance desk checks photos, forms and serials before anything is lodged, so problems surface while you can still fix them. You can read how that fits into how it works, see the rejection reasons we see most, or browse the resources hub for checklists to hand to your crew.