Audits are a routine part of the small-scale scheme, not a sign you did something wrong. Regulators and traders both check that certificates represent real, compliant installations. If you work to a consistent standard, an audit is a paperwork exercise. If you do not, it can be expensive.
This guide describes how audits work at the time of writing and how to put every claim in a state where it can stand up to one.
Two kinds of audit
Clean Energy Regulator audits
The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) administers the scheme and can review installers, designers and the certificates created. It can select jobs at random or follow up a particular concern, such as a pattern of errors or a complaint.
Trader audits
Traders and registered persons who buy certificates take on the risk that those certificates are valid. They check the claims they purchase. That is why a compliance desk like ours reviews photos, forms and serials before lodgement. It is also why a trader may come back to you later with a question about a job you thought was finished.
What gets checked
| Element | What the auditor looks for |
|---|---|
| Owner contact | A call or email to confirm the owner knew about the assignment and that the system is installed |
| Site visit | An inspection of the physical installation against the records |
| Documents | Signed assignment form, certificates, invoices, accreditation details |
| Photos | A complete, legible and consistent photo set |
| Product eligibility | Model on the approved list on the install date |
| Dates and details | Consistent dates, addresses and serial numbers across all records |
The owner call
The most common first step is simple: someone contacts the owner. They may ask whether the system was installed, when, by whom and whether they signed the form. A customer who does not recall signing anything, or who was never told about the assignment, is a problem for the claim. Explain the assignment to the owner on the day, and give them a copy.
The site visit
An inspector may visit to compare what is on the roof with what is on the paperwork. Serials, panel counts, inverter models and labels are all fair game.
How to make a claim audit-proof
Build the habits below into every job.
- Use the current assignment form, fully completed and signed. See the assignment form guide.
- Take the full photo set every time. See the photo requirements checklist.
- Check the product is on the approved list on the install date.
- Match every detail across form, invoice, certificate and photos.
- Choose the right installation type and record the old system. See installation types.
- Tell the owner what they are assigning, in plain words.
- Store everything in one place per job, labelled by address and date.
- Respond quickly when anyone asks a question.
How long records are kept
At the time of writing, keep the signed assignment form for 5 years. It is sensible to hold the supporting evidence, such as photos, certificates and invoices, for at least as long. Treat that as a minimum. If a dispute or an audit is open, do not delete anything until it is resolved, regardless of the age of the records.
If a certificate is invalidated
A certificate can be invalidated if it is found that it should not have been created, for example because the product was not eligible, the paperwork was defective or the installation did not meet requirements.
In practice, that can mean:
- The certificate is removed or cancelled in the registry.
- The party that bought it may seek to recover what it paid, often called a clawback.
- You may need to correct the claim, supply missing evidence or repay the amount.
- Repeated problems can lead to wider scrutiny of your other jobs.
The specific outcome depends on the reason, the agreement in place and the regulator’s decision. If you receive a notice, tell the desk straight away so we can help you work out what evidence is needed.
Reduce the risk before you lodge
Most audit trouble starts as a small error at the point of claim. That is why our compliance desk reviews every submission before it is lodged, and why we tell you at once if something does not line up. See how it works for the full flow, pricing for today’s rate and the STC trading page for the solar process. When you are ready, start trading.