A platform is only as good as the money it puts in your account and how little work it needs from you. Here is how to compare them without being steered by a features page.
1. Net rate
Start with what you will actually receive per certificate. Ask for a quote on a realistic claim and include every deduction. A published daily rate with no fees is the easiest to compare; a headline rate with fees on top needs arithmetic. See aggregator fees.
2. Rate lock
When is the price fixed: at lodgement, validation or payment? A rate locked on a complete claim protects you from a falling market while the claim clears. A rate “at time of sale” does not. Ours locks on lodgement of a complete claim.
3. Settlement time
State it in hours or business days, from a named start event. Payment within a day or two compared with 20 or 30 days is a large cash flow difference. See how long aggregators take to pay.
4. Product coverage
- Solar: zone ratings, deeming period, mid-scale from 1 October 2026.
- Batteries: factor, tiers and the evidence checks. See the battery STC trader page and battery STCs.
- Hot water and heat pumps: plumber details and installation type. See hot water STCs.
- VEECs if you work in Victoria. See VEEC trading.
5. Tools: upload, bulk and invoices
Look for bulk upload by spreadsheet, photo checks before lodgement, a status page, and automatic buyer-created invoices. See bulk submission and the tax invoice.
6. Compliance review
A platform that checks photos, forms and serials before lodgement saves more than one that merely records failures. See why claims get rejected.
Red flags
Rate “on request” with no written lock, payment waiting on the buyer, unexplained deductions, no named contact, and no CER registered agent status you can verify. See checking trader contract terms.
What this means for installers
The best platform is the one that clears your claims first time and pays soon after. Energy Merchants is a desk rather than software: a named account manager, a compliance team that pre-checks each claim, 24-hour settlement for established partners and zero fees, backed by REC Traders. See pricing, start trading or the choosing a trader checklist.
Switching without stress
Changing provider does not need a big-bang move. Keep existing jobs with the current provider until their claims clear, then route new installs to the new desk. Check there is no exit fee, and keep copies of assignment forms already signed. Our switch guide walks through it.