Two numbers matter for STCs, and people often mix them up: the market price, and the price you are paid. October 2026 looks like most of the year so far.
The market in October 2026
The STC spot market has been roughly $38 to $40 at the time of writing. The ceiling is $40 because of the Clean Energy Regulator’s clearing house, where registered owners can sell STCs at a fixed $40. In practice that means the market rarely trades above $40, and buyers who want certificates quickly will pay close to it.
| Measure | Level at the time of writing |
|---|---|
| Spot market range | roughly $38 to $40 |
| Clearing-house price | $40 |
| What installers are paid | the trader’s published rate |
Why the price you receive differs
A trader buys STCs and takes the risk of lodging and selling them. Their rate reflects:
- How fast they pay. A same-day or next-day payment costs the trader more than 20-day terms.
- Volume. Large steady books may earn better rates.
- Compliance checks, and whether claims are pre-checked.
- Fees. Some traders charge processing or admin fees on top of a headline rate, so ask for the net number.
- The clearing-house route, if one is used, which is slower to cash.
Energy Merchants publishes its rate every day on the pricing page, locked on lodgement of a complete claim, with zero fees. Whatever trader you use, ask for the net rate per STC, the payment time and the contract terms. See what to look for in a trader.
What an STC price means for a job
A 6.6 kW system in a zone 3 city earns 45 STCs in 2026. At $38 that is about $1,710; at $40 about $1,800. A 13.5 kWh home battery at the 6.8 factor earns 91, which is about $3,460 to $3,640. Use the STC calculator and the battery STC calculator for your own jobs.
How the clearing house fits in
The clearing house is a backstop, not the normal route. Most certificates are sold through traders and agents who pay faster than the clearing house settles. Its fixed $40 price is what keeps spot from rising much above that level, and the gap between spot and the ceiling is part of what traders earn for carrying the risk and the time.
What this means for installers
Compare rate, speed and fees together, read what an STC is worth in 2026, and start trading if you want the desk to quote you. For how the market is set, see STC trading and the scheme changes page.