A late payment is rarely random. It sits in one of five places, and you can usually tell which from the claim status.
1. The claim itself
Missing signatures, unreadable photos, inconsistent serials or an unclear installation type are the most common causes. The claim sits in a queue until someone fixes it. Check against the top rejection reasons.
2. Registry validation
The REC Registry runs checks when certificates are created. A mismatch on system data or eligibility can hold the claim, see why claims fail validation.
3. Audit or compliance flags
Some claims are flagged for review, because of the installer, the product or a pattern. Review can take longer than a normal claim.
4. Your details
A bank account that does not match the ABN, an expired accreditation or a missing agent authority can block payment even when the claim is fine.
5. Trader terms and process
Settlement may depend on cut-off days, batch runs, or the buyer’s own payment cycle. Our guide on how long STC payment should take shows how the range looks.
How to find the cause quickly
- Check the claim status in the registry or your trader’s portal.
- Ask your trader for the specific hold reason, in writing.
- Fix what is yours, chase what is theirs.
Patterns by time of year
Delays often cluster around month end, the end of the financial year and December, when volumes spike and traders’ compliance desks are stretched. They also rise after rule changes, when everyone is learning new evidence requirements. If you can lodge a little earlier, before the rush, you will often be paid faster. Ask your trader which weeks of the year are busiest, and plan around them.
What this means for installers
If delays repeat and the cause is the trader’s process, consider a change. The switching guide covers this, and how it works shows the settlement steps we follow, with first claims clearing in 48 to 72 hours and 24-hour settlement after that for established partners. See also fast-track STC payment and the STC trading page.