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Welcome to our April 2026 Compliance Update.

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Dear Valued Partners, 

As regulatory requirements continue to evolve across the schemes, it is important to remain up to date and ensure your processes align with the latest program rules. Below is a summary of key updates and actions required for this month. 

1. 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. Residential Activities (1, 3 & 6) – Revised Evidence Requirements (Update 15 April 2026) 

Following the program update released on 15 April 2026, the Essential Services Commission has revised the recently introduced record-keeping requirements for water heating and space heating and cooling activities. 

What Has Changed 

The following previously introduced photographic evidence requirements have now been deferred and removed from the Activity Guide: 

What Remains in Effect  

The following requirements continue to apply: 



We expect our loyal partners to take note of these changes and/or should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our compliance team.  

2. VEU Commercial Water Heating (Activity 44) 

What You Need to Do: 

Effective Date: 

31 March 2026 

3. VEU C&I Solar PVSolar Photovoltaic – Training & Record Keeping Updates (Effective 24 March 2026) 

Training & Competency Requirements 

Record-Keeping & Activity Date Requirements 

Activity Date Definition: 

For partners participating in C&I Solar PV, we encourage you to contact your relevant Project Coordinator for further guidance: 

These updates are critical to maintaining compliance and avoiding delays in certificate creation. Please ensure full implementation within the required timeframes. 

4. STC Battery Installations – Photo Evidence Requirements (Reminder) 

A reminder that as of 1 March 2026, all installers must take clear, geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs of critical labelling for every solar battery installation. 

This requirement is in addition to existing installer on-site verification photos, including evidence of the installer being present during the main stages of installation. 

Requirements: 

Compliance Requirement: 

Important: 

Failure to comply may result in failed STC claims and potential compliance action 

5. Battery Rebates are changing from 1 May 2026 

From 1 May the STC factor will taper according to the amount of capacity installed: 

Keep in mind that STCsSmall-scale Technology Certificate under the Australian Renewable Energy Target. More are calculated based on the usable capacity of your battery. 

Current  From 1 May 
10kWh system 

(100% x 8.4) 

Total 84 STCs 		 * 10 kWh (100% x 6.8) 

Total 68 STCs 
20kWh system 

(100% x 8.4) 

Total 168 STCs 		 * First 14kWh (100% x 6.8) = 95.20  

* Remaining 6 kWh (60% x 6.8) = 24.48 

Total 119 STCs 
30kWh system 

(100% x 8.4) 

Total 252 STCs 		 * First 14kWh (100% x 6.8) = 95.20 

* Second 14 kWh (60% x 6.8) = 57.12 

* Remaining 2 kWh (15% x 6.8) = 2.04 

Total 154 STCs 

6. NSW 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. – CCEWElectricians must submit a Certificate of Compliance for electrical work (CCEW) under the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 and Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2018. A completed CCEW must be submitted within seven days of completing any safety and compliance test, on an electrical installation in NSW. Process Update (Effective 1 July 2026) 

Building Commission NSW (BCNSW) will introduce the following changes: 

Important: 

Further guidance will be provided as requirements are refined.

Reminder: Vintage 2025 VEECVictorian Energy Efficiency Certificate Claims – Deadline Approaching 

Please note that the cut-off date for all 2025 Vintage submissions to Northmore Gordon is Friday, 1 May 2026. 

Partners are strongly encouraged to ensure all required documentation is finalised and submitted well ahead of the deadline to avoid missing this final processing window. 

Closing remarks 

Staying on top of regulatory changes and maintaining strong compliance practices is essential to ensuring the integrity of the schemes and the smooth processing of certificates. 

We appreciate your continued cooperation and commitment to compliance. 

For further information or clarification, please contact our Compliance Team via compliance@northmoregordon.com

Kind regards, 

Northmore Gordon Compliance Team

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What photographic evidence requirements were removed from the VEU Activity Guide for Residential Activities 1, 3 & 6 following the 15 April 2026 update?

The Essential Services Commission deferred and removed the following previously introduced photographic evidence requirements: main switchboard before installation, main switchboard after installation (cover removed), installed circuit showing amperage rating, main switch showing amperage rating, and installation wiring showing type and size (where visible).

What evidence requirements still remain in effect for VEU Residential Activities 1, 3 & 6 after the April 2026 update?

Partners must still provide evidence of existing product(s) before upgrade (in situ and connected to gas or electricity supply) and installed product(s) after installation, including full wall and surrounding environment (indoor & outdoor units).

What is the co-payment requirement for VEU Commercial Water Heating (Activity 44), and when did it take effect?

A minimum co-payment of $10,000 (incl. GST) is required per installed product for VEU Commercial Water Heating (Activity 44), effective 31 March 2026. Invoicing and customer payment processes must reflect this requirement, and the co-payment must be collected and evidenced in line with program rules.

What training requirement applies to installers and on-site workers for VEU C&I Solar PV as of 24 March 2026?

All installers and on-site workers must hold a current construction induction card (White Card). Workers with superseded units of competency remain compliant if they hold a valid White Card, and White Cards issued in other Australian jurisdictions are accepted.

How is the 'activity date' defined for VEU C&I Solar PV installations under the record-keeping update effective 24 March 2026?

The activity (implementation) date is defined as the DNSP 'Network Commissioning Test Approval' date, as stated in the DNSP completion letter or email. Evidence must include a Negotiated Connection Contract with a post-installation validation/output document clearly showing the date of DNSP validation/approval.

Who are the Project Coordinators to contact for questions about C&I Solar PV compliance updates at Northmore Gordon?

Partners can contact Project Coordinators MJ (m.kaur@northmoregordon.com), Sanah (s.bhalla@northmoregordon.com), or Lan (l.hoang@northmoregordon.com) for guidance on C&I Solar PV participation.

What new photo evidence requirement applies to STC battery installations as of 1 March 2026?

As of 1 March 2026, all installers must take clear, geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs of critical labelling for every solar battery installation, in addition to existing installer on-site verification photos. This obligation is legislated under Regulation 20ACA(12)(h)(iii) of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001, and failure to comply may result in failed STC claims and potential compliance action.

How will STC factors for battery installations change from 1 May 2026?

From 1 May 2026, the STC factor will taper based on installed capacity: 100% for 0 to 14 kWh (inclusive), 60% for capacity greater than 14 up to 28 kWh (inclusive), and 15% for capacity greater than 28 up to 50 kWh (inclusive). Only the first 50kWh of usable battery capacity is eligible for STCs.

Using the examples given, how many STCs would a 20kWh battery system generate before and after 1 May 2026?

Currently, a 20kWh system generates 168 STCs (100% x 8.4). From 1 May 2026, it would generate 119 STCs total: the first 14kWh at 100% x 6.8 = 95.20, plus the remaining 6kWh at 60% x 6.8 = 24.48.

What NSW ESS process changes will Building Commission NSW introduce effective 1 July 2026?

Building Commission NSW (BCNSW) will make mandatory submission of Certificate of Compliance for electrical work (CCEW) forms via the eCert portal, and signed CCEWs will no longer be required. However, CCEWs must still be supported by sufficient evidence, including installer declarations and commissioning reports.

What is the deadline for submitting Vintage 2025 VEEC claims to Northmore Gordon?

The cut-off date for all Vintage 2025 VEEC (Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate) submissions to Northmore Gordon is Friday, 1 May 2026. Partners are encouraged to finalise and submit documentation well ahead of this deadline.

Who authored the April 2026 Compliance Update article and how long does it take to read?

The April 2026 Compliance Update was authored by Meipo Anitema and has an estimated reading time of 5 minutes. It was published on April 16, 2026.

How can partners contact Northmore Gordon's Compliance Team for further clarification on the April 2026 updates?

Partners can contact Northmore Gordon's Compliance Team via email at compliance@northmoregordon.com for further information or clarification on the compliance updates.

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