Dear Valued Partners,
Welcome to Northmore Gordon’s first Compliance Update Newsletter for 2026.
As we enter the new year, this update is intended to support Deemed partners in resetting, refocusing, and maintaining robust compliance across the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEUVictorian Energy Upgrades is a Victorian government energy efficiency program that gives every Victorian household and business the opportunity to receive rebates or discounts on energy saving products.), Clean Energy RegulatorThe Clean Energy Regulator is the Australia Government body responsible for accelerating carbon abatement for Australia through the administration of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme, Renewable Energy Target and the Emissions Reduction Fund. More (CER), Energy SavingsElectricity or gas savings or both. Scheme (ESSThe NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides financial incentives to install, improve or replace energy savings equipment and appliances in NSW households and businesses. The ESS was established in 2009. Financial incentives are in the form of tradeable certificates, called energy savings certificates (ESCs). Generally, householders and businesses who fund energy savings activities transfer the right to create ESCs to Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) in return for a discount on the cost of the energy savings activity. The MWh savings from the project determines the number of ESCs that can be created. The ESS works by allowing ACPs to create and register ESCs for energy savings that are supported with appropriate evidence. ESCs are then purchased each year by mainly electricity retailers operating in NSW to meet their share of a legislated annual energy savings target.), Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS), and Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCLarge-scale Generation Certificate under the Australian Renewable Energy Target. More) schemes.
January represents a critical compliance period, with a strong regulatory focus on readiness, system alignment, and ensuring that all installations, documentation, and internal processes reflect current legislative and program requirements.
1. Important ESCAn energy savings certificate (ESC) is a tradeable certificate created under Division 7 of Part 9 of the Electricity Supply Act 1995. Each ESC represents one notional megawatt hour (MWh) of energy. Update – 23 December 2025
On 23 December 2025, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) released updated Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program documentation, including the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEETVictorian Energy Efficiency Target, under the VEET Act 2007) Guidelines – Version 14, alongside multiple revised Activity Guides.
Northmore Gordon has updated these material compliance changes that require partners implementation and cooperation.
Summary of Key Updates
The revised documentation includes:
- Formal introduction of Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Solar Photovoltaic – Activity 47
- Updates to VEECVictorian Energy Efficiency Certificate Assignment Forms, now referencing the Building Plumbing Commission (formerly the Victorian Building Authority)
- Updated VEU program fees, effective 1 January 2026
Partners are strongly encouraged to review the updated VEET Guidelines and all applicable Activity Guides in full and if in doubt or need help with clarifying these requirements – please reach out to our Compliance team.
2. VEET Guidelines – Version 14 (Key Compliance Changes)
The updated VEET Guidelines (Version 14) now:
Specify training and competency requirements for participants delivering C&I Solar PVSolar Photovoltaic (Activity 47)
The lead solar system designer must hold current Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accreditation in:
- Grid Connected PV (Design Only), or
- Grid Connected PV (Design & Installation)
The lead solar system installer must hold current SAA accreditation in:
- Grid Connected PV (Installation Only), or
- Grid Connected PV (Design & Installation)
All personnel involved in installation or onsite works must:
- Have completed an approved Working at Heights unit of competency, and
- Hold a valid White Card (Construction Induction training)
These requirements are mandatory and must be met prior to undertaking Activity 47 installations.
Define record-keeping requirements for C&I Solar PV activities and improve enforceability of these requirements.
Partners must retain evidence of:
- Consumer quote & design documentation (system components, warranties, performance, price, and consumer payment)
- Invoice/proof of purchase (installation details, incentives applied, and amount paid by the consumer)
- Technical datasheets for installed inverter(s), PV module(s), and battery(s) (if applicable)
- Geo-tagged photos (pre-, mid- and post-installation, installer onsite, and installed system components)
- Monitoring portal evidence meeting VEU requirements
- Certificate of Electrical Safety (CoES)
- Licensed Electrical Inspector (LEI) inspection checklist (Annexure D)
- Single-Line Diagram (SLD) (system layout, configuration, and components)
- DNSP connection approval documentation
- Reflect updated VEU program fees (Effective from 1 January 2026)
| Fee Description | Amount |
| Fee for creation of, and notification to determine registration of, a certificate | $2.33 (fee until 31 Dec 2025 $4.35 (fee from 1 Jan 2026) |
REMINDER: These fees apply to VEEC creation and surrender activities.
What You Should Expect
Due to the increased VEEC upload fee, a $2 increase per VEEC will apply from January 2026.
Practical impact:
Jobs created before 1 January 2026 will continue under the previous fee structure
Jobs created on or after 1 January 2026 will attract the additional $2 VEEC creation fee
3. C & I Solar PV (Activity 47) New Additional Requirement
In response to identified compliance and safety issues across other solar programs, the ESC has introduced an additional requirement – LEI inspection assessment checklist for C&I Solar PV installations.
What This Means for Partners
- A Licensed Electrical Inspector (LEI) is requested to complete and sign the inspection assessment checklist published in the VEET Guidelines
- The checklist addresses serious safety hazards posing an imminent risk to people or property
- The checklist must be completed prior to finalising the inspection section of the Certificate of Electrical Safety (CoES)
- Accredited Persons must retain a copy of the completed checklist
- The ESC may request the checklist at any time and may require upload during VEEC creation
Refer to the latest C&I Solar PV Activity guide for more information.
4. Solar PV and Battery Updates
4.1 Clean Energy Regulator Update – Cheaper Home Batteries Program
On 13 December 2025, the Australian Government announced a significant expansion of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, increasing funding from $2.3 billion to an estimated $7.2 billion over the next four years.
Proposed STC Changes (Subject to Regulation)
From 1 May 2026, Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCsSmall-scale Technology Certificate under the Australian Renewable Energy Target. More) for solar batteries are proposed to be tiered based on battery size, with adjustments designed to:
- Maintain an average discount of approximately 30% across battery sizes
- Align incentives with declining battery costs
- Support long-term program sustainability
4.2 Changes to the Battery STC Factor – Effective 1 May 2026
The STC factor which determines the number of STCs a system is entitled to create per kWh of useable capacity, will be adjusted to:
- Decline more frequently (ever 6 months)
- Decline at a higher rate
The table below shows the STC amounts proposed in the Regulation change
Table 1: Existing and proposed STC factors per kWh by year
| Year | Period | Existing STC factor | Proposed STC factor* |
| 2025 | January – December | 9.3 | N/A |
| 2026 | January – April | 8.4 | 8.4 |
| 2026 | May – December | 8.4 | 6.8 |
| 2027 | January – June | 7.4 | 5.7 |
| 2027 | July – December | 7.4 | 5.2 |
| 2028 | January – June | 6.5 | 4.6 |
| 2028 | July – December | 6.5 | 4.1 |
| 2029 | January – June | 5.6 | 3.6 |
| 2029 | July – December | 5.6 | 3.1 |
| 2030 | January – June | 4.7 | 2.6 |
| 2030 | July – December | 4.7 | 2.1 |
* Adjustments have been proposed to the current STC factors from 1 May 2026, subject to Regulations being made.
What This Means for Partners
- Battery systems remain eligible for support up to 100 kWh capacity
- Incentives progressively reduce for larger incremental battery sizes
- Quoting, customer disclosures, and financial modelling will need to reflect the revised BSTC structure from 1 May 2026
These changes may impact future STC pricing, as adjustments to certificate volumes and eligibility are expected to influence market supply and demand dynamics.
4.3 SAA Special Consideration (Installation Limits)
On 19 December 2025, Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) announced a special consideration process to support installers who may have misunderstood the application of installation limits.
This provides limited relief for eligible installations completed between 1 July 2025 and 22 December 2025, following engagement with SAA regarding failed BSTC claims.
Special consideration applies only where the installer has substantively complied with all installation limit requirements, except for same-day commissioning or sign-off timing.
Partners should review eligibility criteria, evidence requirements, and application processes in full via the SAA website.
5. Vintage 2025 Cut-off Reminder
As we approach the 30th of June 2026 VEU deadline for vintage 2025 – Partners are reminded to submit all 2025 jobs to us via Bridge Select by COB Friday 1st of May 2026 to ensure that we meet the regulator cut-off date.
Based on prior experience with last-minute submissions, partners are strongly encouraged to lodge claims and respond to Requests for Information (RFIs) as early as possible. Early submission allows sufficient time for validation and issue resolution and helps minimise the risk of delays or missed eligibility.
6. SIGENERGY – Inverter Product Recall
Please note that Sigenergy released an announcement on a product recall regarding the single phase 8/10/12KW energy controllers (inverters) with quick connect AC plugs (requiring ferrules and crimping)
The recall relates to a potential issue where the AC plugs may overheat and become damaged, which could pose a fire risk.Here is the official recall notice published on the ACCC Product Safety Website – https://www.productsafety.gov.au/search-consumer-product-recalls/sigenstor-ec-80100120kw-sp-au-energy-controllers
For more information, consumers should contact Sigenergy Australia Pty Ltd via email at sigenservice.au@sigenergy.com or visit https://www.sigenergy.com/au/ac-replacement/end-user
Closing Remarks
At Northmore Gordon, we remain committed to working collaboratively with our partners to uphold scheme integrity, minimise compliance risk, and support efficient certificate creation.
If you require assistance, please contact our Compliance Team on compliance@northmoregordon.com or call us on 03 9046 1914
We look forward to working with you throughout 2026.
Kind regards,
Northmore Gordon Compliance Team
