Two searches here, one on advertising rules for STCs and one on misleading STC claims, ask the same thing from opposite sides: what can I say, and what lands me in trouble?
The framework
The Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations about price, quality and benefits. It applies to ads, websites, social media, brochures and verbal sales pitches. The ACCC and state and territory regulators enforce it. Separately, the Clean Energy Regulator polices STC creation and can act when claims are false.
Where STC advertising goes wrong
- Stale discounts. The STC discount depends on the zone, system size, installation date and deeming period. Advertising a number that was true last year is misleading. For 2026 installs the deeming period is five years, falling to four in 2027.
- Battery rebate claims. The battery factor is 6.8 at the time of writing, stepping down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027. Tiering applies since 1 May 2026, so large batteries earn less per kWh above 14 kWh. Advertising a flat per-kWh discount hides that.
- Free solar. A “free” system funded by a rebate, a loan or a contract that costs the customer money is misleading unless the true cost is clear.
- Guaranteed savings or payback. Savings depend on usage, tariff, orientation and export limits.
- Implying government endorsement. The STC scheme is federal, but your business is not a government agency, and a misleading name or logo can fall foul of the law.
- Pressure on timing. “Rebate ends Friday” is only fine if true.
What good advertising looks like
- Show the price before and after the STC discount.
- State the basis: system size, postcode zone and installation date. Run the number through the STC calculator.
- Date the offer and say when it ends.
- Keep a record of what you advertised and when.
- Train staff to say the same thing as the ad.
Our guide to presenting the discount on a quote shows layout, and what the discount means shows the maths. Retain evidence for STC fraud avoidance.
From the desk: pull a monthly sample of ads, landing pages and proposal templates, and check them against the day’s STC value. Discount figures baked into a template are the commonest source of stale claims.
The wider picture
The scheme depends on public trust. STC scam stories and enforcement action reduce confidence for the whole industry. For the consumer-law side, see cooling off and sales rules.
What this means for installers
Advertise what you can deliver. If your buyer settles quickly and you know your rate, the discount you offer can stay grounded in reality; see pricing for the published rate. Start trading and visit the installers hub for more.