Pre-approval is a loose term. In most conversations with traders, it means a check before lodgement. It is a good habit, and it is worth knowing exactly what yours includes.
What a pre-check usually covers
- Photos. Are they sharp, in the right order, and do they show the required elements?
- Serial numbers. Do the panels and inverter serials match the product and the registry data?
- Forms. Is the assignment form signed, dated and consistent with the system?
- Eligibility. Is the product on the approved list, is the installer’s accreditation current?
- Classification and zone. New, replacement or addition, and correct postcode zone.
If anything is wrong, the claim is sent back for correction rather than lodged and bounced.
Why it matters
A rejected claim wastes days. A pre-check turns that into a same-day correction. It also builds an evidence file that helps if an audit follows. Our list of top rejection reasons shows what is typically caught.
Pre-approval versus audit
| Pre-check | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Before lodgement | After creation |
| By whom | Trader or agent | Regulator |
| Purpose | Fix issues early | Verify compliance |
| Outcome | Corrected claim | Possible invalidation |
Building it into your routine
The easiest way is to nominate one person to run the pre-check on every job on the same day, using a fixed template. The check takes five minutes if the photos are well organised. Log the result, and share common failures with the crew each month. After a quarter you will see which errors repeat and can fix them at the source, for example by changing a photo app or retraining a crew lead.
What this means for installers
A pre-check pays for itself the first time it catches a mismatch. Our compliance desk reviews each claim before lodgement, at no charge, as part of how it works. For the wider picture see fast-track STC payment, how audits work and the STC trading page.