STC pre-approval

Written and checked by the Energy Merchants desk · Reviewed 3 October 2026

STC pre-approval means a claim is checked before the certificates change hands, so errors are found while they are cheap to fix. The phrase gets used in two senses, and they should be kept apart.

• A regulator check. The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) can review created certificates and decide whether they can be traded. Its processes and statuses change, so read the CER’s current guidance for what applies to your registered account.
• A trader’s own check. A trader’s compliance team reviews photos, forms, serial numbers and eligibility before lodging or paying. This is not the regulator’s approval, but it has the same purpose.

Why it exists

An STC is created on the strength of paperwork. If the paperwork is wrong, the certificate may be invalid, and the money paid for it has to be recovered. Checking first moves the problem to before payment. See STC clawback.

In practice

Pre-approval adds a step, and sometimes a day or two. In exchange it reduces the chance of a payment being reversed later. When you compare traders, ask what is checked, by whom and how quickly. A trader that reviews every claim before lodging can still settle fast. For established partners we aim for 24-hour settlement, and the first claim takes 48 to 72 hours while details are verified. See how long should STC payment take.

Common items a pre-check looks at:

• Photos of the panels, inverter and serial numbers, with location data where required. See geotagged photo.
• The signed assignment form and the owner’s details.
• Product listings and installer accreditation.
• The installation type and date.

Common confusion

A pre-check is not a guarantee. It lowers the risk of a rejection, and it cannot rule out a later audit finding. Nor is it the same as an STC being “approved” in the registry. That is a status in the register, not an assessment of your paperwork.

See the STC photo requirements, STC trading and the glossary.