The REC Registry is the system of record for STCs. An agent is the party who operates it for you.
What an agent does
- Creates STCs in the registry for each installation.
- Uploads and manages the supporting documents and photos.
- Responds to validation queries and audits from the Clean Energy Regulator.
- Transfers the certificates to the buyer when they are sold.
An installer can do all of this directly, using a registry account, but it takes time and know-how. Many outsource it.
Agent versus buyer
Some businesses are both the agent and the buyer. They manage the claim and pay you for the certificates. Others act only as agents and pass the certificates to a separate buyer. The important thing for you is that the contract is clear on who handles which step, who pays and when. Compare with aggregators and brokers.
Why the choice matters
The agent is accountable to the regulator for claims they lodge. If they are suspended, claims in progress can freeze. The former Greenbot platform was permanently suspended as a registered agent in 2024, and its clients moved mainly to Formbay and One Stop Warehouse. That episode is the reason to check what happens to your claims if your agent stops operating.
Questions to ask an agent
Ask any agent how long they have been registered, how many claims they lodge, who reviews them, what happens if the claim fails, who owns the data, and what the process is if you leave. Ask to see a sample statement of settlement. A confident, transparent agent will have these answers ready. An evasive one is telling you something about how they will behave when a claim goes wrong, which is the moment when agent quality matters most.
What this means for installers
You are looking for an agent who is clear about the registry process, quick on queries and open about fees. At Energy Merchants our compliance desk pre-checks claims before lodgement, with no fees. For a closer look, see how it works, the STC trading page and the contract terms to check.