Welcome to our December Compliance Update.

About this update

This dated news record has been reorganised for clear reading and connected to current guidance.

Publication date: December 17, 2025.

Status note: Present-tense statements, market figures, deadlines and program details in the archived record belong to its publication date. Check current official sources before making a decision.

What this article reported

As we wrap up another busy year, we remain committed to keeping you fully informed of the latest developments across the VEU, CER, and IPART ESS schemes.

As always, our priority is to support you in staying informed, compliant, and operating with best practice.

For assistance at any time, please contact our Compliance Team at
compliance@northmoregordon.com

In This Edition

  1. SAA Requirement - Maximum Daily Installations
  1. Recent Key VEU Updates
  1. C&I Solar PV Activity (47)
  1. ESS IPART Compliance Priorities 2025/26
  1. Updates with Clean Energy Regulator
  1. Reminder to Partners - Outstanding RFIs
  1. End-of-Year Shutdown & Holiday Schedule

1. Updates with Clean Energy Regulator

MAJOR REMINDER !!!

SAA Requirement - Maximum Daily Installations

A reminder for all partners completing Solar PV and Battery installations:

Under SAA Requirements Version 1.7 (historical; see current scheme documents) - Accredited Installers may sign off on no more than two(2) installations per day, including combinations of:

** A solar PV and battery installation at the same property counts as two(2) separate installs.

For more information on SAA requirements and Clean Energy Regulator requirements, please visit their websites - https://saaustralia.com.au/saa-compliance/ or https://cer.gov.au/

1.1 Updated register of Eligible solar water heater

As of 10th of December 2025 - the CER has released Version 56 of the register of solar water heaters - a list of all eligible solar water heater and air source heat pump models eligible for Small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

2. Recent Key VEU Updates

From 1st January 2026 - New VEU Creation Fee Increase - from $2.33 to $4.35 per certificate

25 November 2025 - Updates to Activity 47 (C&I Solar)


31 October 2025 - PDRS Fee Changes

3. C&I Solar PV Activity (47)

Following the 25 November release, we have implemented several internal updates to support the rollout of Activity 47, including enhancements to Bridge Select, such as ability to upload up to 2GB video files, option settings on photo beta and so much more to be released in the months ahead.

We have successfully onboarded several key partners and installers and are now focused on ensuring a smooth and efficient delivery of this activity.

Partner Action Required


Plumbing - VBA Search
Electrical - Energy Safe Victoria

** For Sales or Onboarding enquiries, please contact Madonna on m.ghajar@northmoregordon.com or Sid on s.bansal@northmoregordon.com

4. ESS IPART Compliance Priorities 2025-26

The regulator's compliance focus for 2025-26 centres on three key risk areas:

These priorities help direct regulatory resources toward maintaining the integrity of the schemes.

4.1 ESS and PDRS Rule Changes

Key Upcoming Dates


Further details are available on the IPART News and Updates page: https://www.energysustainabilityschemes.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media

5. Reminder to Partners - Outstanding RFIs

With just one week remaining before the Christmas shutdown, we kindly remind all partners to review and update any long-standing RFIs in Bridge Select.

We currently have a significant number of RFIs that have been sitting unresolved for several months and now require prompt attention.

Timely responses will help ensure smoother processing, minimise delays in certificate creation, and prevent backlog issues heading into the new year.

Please prioritise reviewing your RFI list as soon as possible.

6. End-of-Year Shutdown & Holiday Schedule

As we close out another busy year, we would like to sincerely thank our partners for your continued support and collaboration throughout 2025.

On behalf of Management and staff at Northmore Gordon, we wish you and your teams a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2026.

Shutdown Period

Closing: Tue 23 Dec 2025 @ 5 pm
Reopening: Mon 5 Jan 2026 @ 9 am

Pre-Christmas Processing

Post-Christmas Resumption


Submit all pending documentation early to ensure timely processing.

For assistance, contact certificates@northmoregordon.com or call 03 9046 1914.

Kind regards,
Northmore Gordon Compliance Team

How to use this information now

For current use, confirm the applicable scheme rules, regulator notices, market date and reporting period. Keep historical prices or forecasts separate from present quotes and verified outcomes.

Separate source-reported facts from forecasts, targets and commentary. For a current project, retain the official source, version, effective date, assumptions and decision record in the evidence file.

What is the maximum number of Solar PV and Battery installations an Accredited Installer may sign off on per day under SAA Requirements Version 1.7?

Under SAA Requirements Version 1.7, Accredited Installers may sign off on no more than two (2) installations per day, which can include combinations such as 2 x Solar PV systems, 2 x Solar battery systems, or 1 x Solar PV plus 1 x Solar Battery. A solar PV and battery installation at the same property counts as two separate installs. This limitation reflects quality assurance and compliance requirements to ensure proper documentation, testing and commissioning procedures are followed for each installation without rushing through work.

From 1 January 2026, how much is the VEU Creation Fee increasing, and what is the new amount?

From 1 January 2026, the VEU Creation Fee increases from $2.33 to $4.35 per certificate. This applies to all certificates created on or after 1 January 2026. The increase affects the economics of energy efficiency projects within Victoria's scheme, as certificate creation costs are a component of total project expenses and may influence investment case calculations. Partners should update their cost models and customer quotations to reflect the new fee structure when estimating VEEC quantities and customer contributions.

What updates were made to Activity 47 (C&I Solar) on 25 November 2025?

On 25 November 2025, updates were made to Activity 47 (C&I Solar), including an updated VEU Assignment Form template. Bridge Select was also updated, and we are now ready to create VEECs for Activity 47. These changes enable partners to proceed with certificate creation for commercial and industrial solar projects. Partners should review the updated assignment form to ensure compliance with current requirements and align internal documentation processes with the new template before submitting projects.

What was the change to the NSW PDRS PRC registration fee effective 1 November 2025?

IPART verified an increase to the NSW PDRS PRC registration fee from $0.0309 to $0.0315, effective 1 November 2025. This marginal increase of $0.0006 per PRC affects the administrative cost component of peak demand reduction and battery storage projects in New South Wales. Partners should incorporate the updated fee into project economics when calculating net certificate proceeds and customer contributions for PDRS-eligible activities such as BESS4 and BESS5 business battery installations.

What are the three key risk areas of IPART's ESS compliance focus for 2025–26?

IPART's compliance focus for 2025–26 centres on three key risk areas: Consumer Protection (including new door-knocking restrictions and strengthened warranty requirements), Deceptive or Fraudulent Conduct (such as staged installations, falsified documents, or manipulated baselines), and Emerging High-Risk Activities (particularly BESS2 battery installations and D16 high-efficiency air conditioners). Partners must ensure all documentation is accurate, consumer interactions comply with door-knocking protocols, and baseline calculations for energy savings are verified and defensible. Our measurement and verification guidance supports compliant project evidence collection for these activities.

What are the key upcoming ESS and PDRS rule change deadlines for early 2026?

Key dates include: 31 January 2026 for commercial lighting product acceptance; 31 March 2026 for commercial lighting installations and certificate registration; and 30 June 2026 for gas-fired equipment implementations (boilers, space heaters, water heaters) under PIAM and for HEER and IHEAB gas implementations. These deadlines create a window for equipment installation and evidence gathering before new eligibility rules apply. Partners must plan project timelines carefully to ensure installations and certificates are completed before these cutoff dates, particularly for gas-fired activities where future eligibility may be restricted.

What version of the register of solar water heaters did the Clean Energy Regulator release as of 10 December 2025?

As of 10 December 2025, the Clean Energy Regulator released Version 56 of the register of solar water heaters, listing all eligible solar water heater and air source heat pump models eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). This register is the authoritative source for product eligibility under the STC scheme. Partners must verify that proposed solar water heater or heat pump models appear on this current register before committing to installations, as only listed equipment creates eligibility for certificate creation.

What partner actions are required to support the C&I Solar PV Activity 47 rollout?

Partners must review and understand the Activity 47 specification; confirm project eligibility including non-residential site classification, CEC-approved product listings, and DNSP connection approvals; align internal documentation and processes such as consumer quotes and tax invoices with VEU compliance requirements; use our Tools and Calculators section to estimate VEECs and validate technical requirements; and verify trades and licenses via the VBA Plumbing Search and Energy Safe Victoria Electrical search links. Careful compliance with these requirements protects both the customer and the partner and ensures successful certificate creation under the updated Activity 47 rules.

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