An unpaid trader is a debt problem, and it is solved with documents. Before you escalate, establish exactly what is owed, under what terms, and for which claims. Most disputes shrink fast once both sides see the same list.
Step 1: build the file
Pull together the registry transfer records for each unpaid claim, the trader’s rate confirmation, any emails or texts agreeing the price and timing, and your invoice or RCTI. If you have an RCTI arrangement, the trader should have issued one for each batch.
Check that the certificates were actually accepted by the buyer, and not sitting pending or failed. A “failed validation” is a payment delay with a reason; see why a claim fails validation before assuming bad faith.
Step 2: written demand
Send an email with a clear schedule: claim reference, date transferred, amount, agreed due date. Give a deadline of a few business days. Keep the tone flat and factual. Say what you will do next if it is not paid.
Step 3: escalate
- A formal letter of demand, often drafted by a solicitor or a small business advisor.
- Your state’s small business commissioner or equivalent for dispute assistance.
- A small claims tribunal, depending on the amount. Thresholds differ by state, so check the current limit with your tribunal.
- If you suspect conduct that is more than slow payment, such as certificates being resold while you are unpaid, report it to the Clean Energy Regulator.
Keeping the relationship workable
Most overdue payments are not fraud. They are disorganisation, a hold you were not told about, or a cash crunch at the trader. A calm, specific email often gets money moving faster than a threat. Offer to jump on a call, agree a date for each claim in writing, and say that you will pause new transfers until the balance clears. If dates slip again, escalate to the next step the same day rather than waiting another week. Record every step so that, if you do end up in front of a tribunal, the timeline is simple to follow.
What this means for installers
The best protection is structural: short settlement terms, a locked rate on lodgement, and trading in small batches until a trader has earned trust. See the contract terms worth checking and the switching guide. Our how it works page shows the settlement sequence we follow so you can compare it with whatever you have now. Legal advice for your situation should come from a solicitor.