Three searches, one checklist: how do I check a trader is legitimate, is my trader a registered agent and does the ABN check out. Do the checks in this order.
1. ABN and entity
Search the trader’s ABN on ABN Lookup, which is run by the Australian Business Register. Confirm:
- the ABN is active
- the legal name matches the name on the contract and the RCTI
- the entity type, such as a company or trust
- GST registration, where relevant
A trader with no ABN, or one that will not give it, stops here.
2. Registered agent status
The Clean Energy Regulator publishes information about registered agents, who help individuals and small businesses with the creation of STCs. Not every trader is a registered agent, and the status matters most if the trader acts as the agent for your customers. Check the CER’s registered agents information, and ask the trader to explain its status. A registered agent can be suspended, as Greenbot was in 2024, so check the current position rather than relying on a logo.
3. Track record
- How long has the entity traded?
- Is the trader a member of an industry body, such as the Smart Energy Council?
- Can it give you two installer references you can call?
- What do other installers say? Read STC trader reviews with a pinch of salt and check the dates.
4. Terms in writing
A legitimate trader gives you written terms: rate or how it is set, payment trigger and timing, fees, recall rules, how disputes are resolved. See the contract checklist.
5. How it makes money
Every trader earns something, from a fee, a spread or both. If you cannot work out which, ask. See what the catch is with no-fee trading.
6. The money flow
Does the trader pay from an account in its own name? Are remittances itemised? Does it pay on time? A trader that pays one week late for a month is telling you something. See what to do when payment is late.
Warning signs
| Sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Rate far above spot with no explanation | Can signal a trader paying early installers with later installers’ money |
| Pressure to transfer certificates before terms are agreed | You lose control |
| No named contact | Nobody to chase |
| Changed bank details by email | A common fraud pattern |
| Unwilling to put terms in writing | Self-explanatory |
What this means for installers
Due diligence is a one-hour task that protects months of cash. Do the ABN check, confirm status with the CER, get the terms in writing and test with a small batch. Our guide to choosing a certificate trader expands the checklist, and STC scams to avoid covers the worst cases.
Energy Merchants publishes its rate daily on pricing and explains the process at how it works, so you can check us the same way.