Under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, only accredited businesses can create VEECs. The Essential Services Commission (ESC) accredits them for specific activities, such as water heating or heating and cooling, and keeps a register. If you install in Victoria, you will either become accredited yourself or work under a provider who is.
What an accredited provider does
- Holds the ESC accreditation for the activity.
- Takes the customer’s acknowledgement and the installation evidence.
- Creates the VEECs in the registry and is responsible for compliance.
- Passes value to the customer, usually as an upfront discount on the quote.
- Sells the certificates to a buyer or trades them through an aggregator.
- Handles audits, since the ESC inspects activities and records.
The provider carries the compliance risk for the certificates it creates, which is why good ones check your paperwork before they claim it.
How to find one
- Go to the Victorian Energy Upgrades registry on the ESC website.
- Open the register of accredited persons and choose the VEEC activity from the drop-down, such as the residential water heating activity.
- Check the status shows current accreditation for that activity, not just any activity.
- Look at what they publish: product lists, rates, discount offers, payment terms.
The ESC register is the official list. Do not rely on a company’s own statement that it is accredited.
What to compare between providers
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which activities are they accredited for? | A provider that is accredited for lighting may not cover water heating |
| What is the VEEC value they pass on? | It sets your customer’s discount |
| How long to settle? | Cash-flow, see VEEC payment timing |
| What evidence do they need? | The checklist you must follow on site |
| Who handles audits? | Who answers the ESC when a job is questioned |
| Do they also handle STCs? | One partner for both saves double handling |
Providers, aggregators and traders
An accredited provider creates; an aggregator buys from many providers and sells in volume, usually to retailers; a trader buys certificates from installers and providers. The roles overlap. See the VEEC aggregator answer for the difference.
Switching providers
You can usually work with more than one provider, for example one for lighting and another for water heating. Keep your records per provider so each can answer an audit without needing the other’s files.
What this means for installers
If you are new to VEECs, working under an accredited provider is the fastest way in. Pick one on terms and compliance support, not just discount. If your job also creates STCs, such as a heat pump in Victoria, see the same-job guide. Read the VEEC pillar, see VEEC trading, and compare rates on the pricing page.