Status labels in the REC Registry are the only official signal of where a claim sits. Different trader portals add their own labels on top, which can be confusing. This is what the core statuses mean in practice.
| Status | What it means | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Pending audit | The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) is validating the claim | Wait, and respond fast to any request for information |
| Registered | The claim passed and the certificates exist | The certificates can be transferred and sold |
| Failed validation | The CER did not register the claim | Read the reason, then fix or stop |
| Settlement complete | Transfer and settlement of the certificates is done | Check payment, and keep records |
Always confirm exact wording in your own account.
Pending audit
Every claim is checked before registration. Pending audit means that check is under way. Low-risk claims move quickly. Claims with unusual features, missing information or risk indicators take longer. The CER says validation usually takes four to six weeks where it needs a closer look, and longer if documents are incomplete. Do not recreate a claim that is pending: duplicates cause trouble. See how long validation takes.
Registered
This is the status you want. The certificates have been created and sit in the account of the registered person. They can be transferred to a buyer. For an installer who has assigned to a trader, registration typically triggers the trader’s settlement process.
Failed validation
The claim did not pass. The reason is shown in the record. Common causes are photos, serial numbers, address details and eligibility. See what happens if STCs fail validation and how to resubmit.
Settlement complete
Once registered certificates are transferred and the sale is settled, the record shows the settlement as complete. For you as an installer, the real test is the money in your account. If the status says complete and the payment has not arrived, check with your trader. See why an STC payment has not arrived.
What this means for installers
Most of the delays installers feel sit in the pending audit stage, which is outside your trader’s control. Use the time to make sure your documents are available the moment the CER asks. If a claim is stuck for longer than usual, see STCs stuck at the CER.
Learn more from how STC audits work and how long STC payment should take. Pillar: STC trading. Partners at Energy Merchants get status updates from a named account manager.
Reading statuses alongside payment
Statuses and payments do not always move in step. A trader may pay on a pre-approved claim before registration, or hold payment after it for its own checks. Ask your trader which status triggers payment in their terms, and write that into your cash flow plan. It prevents the common mistake of treating registered as paid.