The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) allows STCs to be created for up to 12 months after installation. That is the outer limit. Treat it as a deadline for the oldest job in the pile, not the target date for each one.
Why 12 months is a trap
Three things get worse with time.
- Evidence. Signed forms go missing, photos stay on a phone that gets replaced, and the plumber who took them moves on.
- Price. Certificates are sold at the market rate on the day. At the time of writing the STC market has been roughly $38 to $40. If it dips while you wait, so does your money. See STC rates for the daily rate.
- Cash. The customer has already received a discount on the quote. You have funded it from your own pocket until the certificates are sold.
Which year sets the count
For small-scale systems the count is calculated up front for the years between the installation date and the end of the scheme on 31 December 2030. For hot water, that means the installation year matters. A job installed in December 2026 and claimed in March 2027 is still treated by its installation date. The deeming mechanics for solar are in deeming period and zone ratings, and hot water follows the same logic of a shrinking runway to 2030. See will the STC discount go down in 2027.
A practical timeline
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| 0 | Install, photos, signed form |
| 1 to 3 | Internal photo and serial check, plumbing certificate attached |
| 3 to 7 | Lodge, or hand the pack to your trader |
| After registration | Sell certificates and invoice |
If you are near the limit
Do not bundle old jobs into a batch and hope. Pull the pack, check every item against the hot water checklist, and lodge the oldest first. Ask the CER or your trader about anything missing before the deadline passes, not after.
From the desk: set a calendar reminder at nine months for any job that has not been lodged. It is cheaper than a lost claim.
What this means for installers
Build a simple tracker from install date to payment. It shows whether delays sit in your office, at the regulator or at the trader. Our how long STC payment should take guide gives realistic benchmarks. For the step order, see how to claim STCs on a heat pump, and for settlement see how it works and the hot water STC pillar.
Why the deadline sneaks up
Heat pump jobs often arrive in bursts, for example after a cold snap or a rebate announcement, and the back office falls behind. A weekly ten-minute review of every unlodged job, sorted by install date, stops the oldest ones ageing out. It also shows you which jobs are waiting on something from the customer or a licensed partner.