STCs are created and tracked under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 and its regulations, and administered by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER). The scheme regulates the certificates and who can create and register them. It does not issue a licence to trade them.
What is regulated
- The registry. STCs are created, transferred and surrendered in the REC Registry, which needs a registered person account.
- Agents. Parties that act for others on registry transactions must be registered as agents, and the CER can suspend that registration. The former Greenbot platform’s registered agent status was permanently suspended in 2024, which is a reminder that it matters.
- The claim itself. Installation, product and paperwork rules, with audit and enforcement powers.
- Conduct. Consumer law, privacy and, where relevant, corporate and tax law.
What is not regulated the same way
There is no trading licence, no exam and no capital requirement in the scheme. A business with a registry account and a buyer can trade. That openness is why checking a trader matters. See is an STC a financial product for the corporate-law angle, and do you need to start trading STCs for the installer view.
What to check on a trader
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| ABN and company history | Confirms who you are contracting with |
| Registered agent status where relevant | Shows registry standing |
| Contract terms on recourse and fees | Decides who bears the risk |
| Track record and references | Late payment shows up here |
| Whether a person answers | You will need them |
What this means for installers
If a rate looks unusually high, or payment is “guaranteed” regardless of rejection, find out who carries the risk. Our trader checklist lists the questions, and spotting an STC scam explains the warning signs. If you are considering starting your own operation, see starting an STC trading business. Energy Merchants publishes its rate on pricing; the switch page covers moving over. This is general information, not legal advice.