Important
On 15 March 2023, applications closed for installer and designer accreditation scheme operators. The CER is currently assessing applications and requesting further information. The CER estimates it will notify applicants of the assessment outcome and publish the decision to our website during February 2024.
Until a decision is made to select one or more operators, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) will continue the current installer and designer accreditation scheme under the SRES.
Assessment of applications
Pre-assessment check
The CER will do a pre-assessment check on applications that are received by the closing date. If an application is incomplete, the CER may request more information.
The CER will assess applications against requirements using 10 evaluation criteria in accordance with Section 20BH of the REE Regulations.
Evaluation committee
The evaluation committee will assess applications in accordance with the REE Regulations and develop:
- an application assessment report
- recommended successful or unsuccessful applicants
- an evaluation report.
Delegate approval
The CER delegate will review the evaluation report and make the final decision on the approval of one or more installer and designer accreditation scheme operators.
Applicants notified
The CER estimates it will notify applicants of the assessment outcome and publish the decision to our website during February 2024.
The CER will engage with approved applicants to formalise alignment with the SRES and prepare for transition arrangements.
Unsuccessful applicants will be offered a debrief on request to discuss the outcome of their application.
Schemes announced
After approved scheme operators are announced, the CER will communicate with industry, including installers, designers and agents, regarding transition arrangements.
Approved scheme operators will have an ongoing working relationship with the CER. The CER will monitor performance of approved scheme operators in accordance with the REE Regulations including all elements of the undertaking made by approved scheme operators. The CER will take appropriate actions to maintain integrity in an approved accreditation scheme and operator.
Frequently asked questions
Until a decision is made to select one or more installer and designer scheme operators the Clean Energy Council will manage installer and designer accreditation under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Persons making the declaration for and on behalf of the applicant under section 10 of the application to become an accreditation scheme operator should ensure they have read and understood each of the declaration statements. Providing false or misleading information may result in the refusal of your application.
Persons making the declaration are reminded that giving false or misleading information to a Commonwealth entity is a serious offence and carries penalties under the
Criminal Code Act 1995.
An approved accreditation scheme operator must have a dedicated representative to work with the CER on an ongoing basis to ensure efficient and effective scheme administration and risk management.
An approved accreditation scheme operator will be required to continue to meet the signed undertaking in the application form. The CER will develop working documents and materials to support the ongoing working relationship between the CER and an approved accreditation scheme operator in line with the applicant’s approved application to become an accreditation scheme operator.
The CER will develop documentation setting out key performance indicators and reporting frequency in line with an approved application upon approval of the applicant.
Applicants should detail the proposed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure and data security management framework for their proposed accreditation scheme in the application to become an accreditation scheme operator. The applicant must demonstrate how they intend to manage and protect installer and accreditation scheme data.
An applicant’s ICT framework should follow best practice standards to:
- keep data safe and secure
- demonstrate appropriate cyber security practices
- secure records and data management
- secure data retention and transmittal arrangements.
Applicants are encouraged to review the
Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM), available at the
Australian Cyber Security Centre website. If adopted, the applicant must demonstrate how their framework complies with the ISM.
Where an applicant’s proposed data security management framework adopts other relevant industry standards, such as
ISO 27001 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection, the applicant should articulate how their framework complies with that standard.