If you think an installer or agent is creating STCs for jobs that were not done, falsifying photos or taking customers’ money without delivering, the Clean Energy Regulator wants to hear about it. It is a regulator, so it will not tell you what it does with a tip, but reports feed into audits and investigations.
Ways to report to CER
- The online reporting tool. CER’s reporting page lets you lodge a report about suspected fraud or corruption. It has adopted a platform that allows anonymous reporting and keeps a conversation open between you and the regulator without revealing who you are.
- Email. referrals@cer.gov.au
- Phone. 1300 553 542 within Australia, or +61 2 6159 3100 from overseas.
- Post. Complaints, Clean Energy Regulator, GPO Box 621, Canberra ACT 2601.
Check the CER website for current details before you contact them, because channels change.
What to include
A good report is specific. Include:
- the name of the person or company, and their role
- the dates and addresses involved
- what you saw or know, and how you came to know it
- any evidence: photos, invoices, messages, claim references
- anyone else who knows
Do not confront the person first, and do not alter or delete evidence. Keep it as it is.
Who else to contact
| Concern | Contact |
|---|---|
| STC fraud, false claims, phantom installs | Clean Energy Regulator |
| Unsafe electrical work | State or territory electrical safety regulator |
| Misleading sales, deposits not refunded | Consumer protection (ACCC or your state fair trading) |
| Accreditation conduct | Clean Energy Council |
| Victorian program issues | Solar Victoria or the Essential Services Commission for VEU |
Homeowners who are not sure whether they are dealing with a scam can read how to spot a solar scam. If an installer vanished after taking a deposit, see solar installer disappeared after taking a deposit.
Reporting a competitor or a subcontractor
Installers and traders sometimes see odd claims from rivals, subcontractors or past employers. Report facts, not rumours. A claim made out of spite without evidence helps nobody. If it is your own subcontractor, you should also address it internally, since your accreditation may be on the work; see phantom installations.
What this means for installers
Making a report does not expose you to risk where it is made in good faith, and it supports an industry where honest installers are not undercut by people claiming for work they never did. If you have made a mistake of your own, a prompt correction through your trader is better than waiting; see what to expect from an audit.
For more, read what counts as STC fraud, the STC trading overview and our how it works page.