Installers on the Cheaper Home Batteries Program are usually discounting the battery at the point of sale, which means the STCs are the money that makes the job whole. How long they take to arrive decides how much cash you have tied up in the batteries on your books.
The stages between install and cash
- Installation and commissioning, with on-site photos taken at each stage.
- Assembling the claim: assignment form, photos, serial numbers, certificate of compliance.
- Your trader’s checks on the pack.
- Lodgement in the REC Registry and assessment by the Clean Energy Regulator.
- Payment.
Traders differ on where they pay. A trader that settles on sign-off carries the registry timing itself, so you are paid within about a day. A trader that waits for the registry to validate the certificates pays after step 4, which can be days or weeks. The battery STC payment time answer compares the models.
What slows battery claims specifically
Battery claims carry more evidence than solar. Since 1 March 2026 the CER requires geotagged, timestamped photos of critical labelling in addition to the on-site verification photos, and it says failure to meet the requirements will delay or reject a claim. The common causes of delay are:
- Serial numbers in photos that do not match the REC Registry entry.
- Label photos that are unreadable or missing the circular UN-number label.
- Metadata that does not line up with the installation photos.
- A claim email that mixes more than one battery job.
- A missing or inconsistent date on the electrical certificate.
Each of these sends the claim back to you, and the clock starts again. See what photos the CER needs and what to do when photos are missing.
Typical expectations
| Scenario | Realistic timing |
|---|---|
| Clean pack, fast-settling trader | Next business day after sign-off |
| Clean pack, trader paying after registry | About a week or more |
| Pack returned for photos | Add the time it takes to fix and resubmit |
| First claim with a new trader | Longer while details are verified |
At Energy Merchants a first claim clears in 48 to 72 hours while we verify your details, then established partners settle within 24 hours. A compliance desk checks photos, forms and serials before lodgement, so problems are caught before they cost you days.
What this means for installers
Fast payment starts on site: take the photos at the right stage, check serials against the registry before you leave, and keep one folder per job. Then pick a trader on settlement terms, not just rate. Compare published rates, read how settlement works, and see the battery STC overview and battery submission guide. When you are ready, you can start trading.