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Welcome to our August & September 2026 Compliance Update.

Meipo Anitema
September 1, 2026
News

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This edition confirms Northmore Gordon’s accreditation for three new PDRS battery activities, tracks the 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. space heating and cooling changes taking effect this month, and rounds up enforcement action and CER and NSW updates from across both months.

We encourage all partners to familiarise themselves with the updates below and review internal processes to ensure ongoing compliance.

PDRS UPDATE – NORTHMORE GORDON NOW ACCREDITED FOR BESS3BESS3: battery systems for eligible apartment buildings, BESS4BESS4: battery systems for eligible small and medium business sites AND BESS5BESS5: larger battery systems for eligible commercial and industrial sites

We’re pleased to confirm that Northmore Gordon has been accredited to deliver the three new Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) battery activities: BESS 3, BESS 4 and BESS 5.

BESS 3 – Install a new behind-the-meter battery energy storage system (apartments)

BESS 4 – Install a new behind-the-meter battery energy storage system (small and medium businesses)

BESS 5 – Install a new behind-the-meter energy storage system (commercial and industrial businesses)

IPARTIndependent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has approved these activities to commence on 1 September 2026, and our accreditation means Northmore Gordon can support partners in this new part of the NSW battery market from day one.

We’ll share training and onboarding information over the coming weeks.

Please feel free to contact one of our friendly Sales Managers below if you’d like to start scoping BESS3/4/5 projects now.

Sid – s.bansal@northmoregordon.com

Madonna – m.ghajar@northmoregordon.com

PDRS RULE UPDATE – BESS3/4/5 ELIGIBILITY CLARIFIED FROM 7 SEPTEMBER 2026

The Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (Amendment No. 3) Rule 2026 commences 7 September 2026 and clarifies several BESS3, BESS4 and BESS5 requirements. In brief:

Minimum payments for BESS3 and BESS4 now apply per implementation, not per item of equipment.

Usable Battery Capacity must not exceed six times the Battery Inverter Output across BESS3, BESS4 and BESS5.

BESS3 now allows additional battery capacity at a site, provided no earlier BESS3 implementation has occurred there.

BESS5 batteries must pass UL9540A performance testing and be installed behind the meter.

We’re updating our internal systems and processes ahead of commencement. Contact our Compliance Team if you need more clarity or references to these new changes.

VEU UPDATE – SPACE HEATING & COOLING CHANGES COMMENCE 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

The Essential Services Commission (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.) has confirmed that changes to reverse cycle air conditioner (RCAC) activities under the Space Heating & Cooling Review will commence on 30 September 2026, following DEECA’s response to consultation.

Next steps for the Space Heating & Cooling Review

DEECA will update the VEU Specifications for these changes, which are proposed to take effect from 30 September 2026.

Stakeholders strongly supported the need to improve RCAC system design and sizing. DEECA will monitor how these changes affect the Part 6 activity and is considering further changes to improve system sizing practices. It plans to release a consultation paper later in 2026, covering further proposed changes based on customer insights and stakeholder survey feedback.

We’ll keep partners updated as the Specifications are finalised and as the further consultation progresses.

VEU UPDATE – RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTION

The ESC has recently taken several enforcement actions against VEU businesses in August 2026, a reminder of how closely the regulator is scrutinising compliance across the program.

These actions reinforce the ESC’s zero-tolerance approach to fraudulent evidence and unauthorised trading.

We expect every partner to take full ownership of their own evidence, marketing and accreditation status, and to keep them fully compliant at all times.

CER UPDATE – CHEAPER HOME BATTERIES PROGRAM & SRESSmall-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme CHANGES

The 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 continues to expand support for battery installations under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). Funding for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program has grown to an estimated $7.2 billion over four years, and battery Small-scale Technology Certificate (STCSmall-scale Technology Certificate under the Australian Renewable Energy Target. More) entitlements have followed a tapering schedule since 1 May 2026.

Separately, the CER has confirmed that solar PVSolar Photovoltaic eligibility under SRES will expand from 100 kW to 1 MW, subject to regulations being made.

Partners undertaking battery or solar installations should confirm current STC entitlements and eligibility settings before promoting incentives to customers.

Click on the CER News for more information – https://cer.gov.au/news-and-media/news

NSW eCERT & BRIDGE SELECT UPDATE

The BCNSW eCert portal has been mandatory for all Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEWs) since 1 July 2026; handwritten and PDF forms are no longer accepted. Gasfitters moved to portal-only submission from March 2026, and the Smart Meter Tool for metering work has been phased out.

Bridge Select’s integration with the eCert platform is now completed and live now.

Should you have any questions or experience any issues with Bridge Select, please contact our Compliance team.

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. (NSW) UPDATE

Partners are reminded that installations or replacements involving gas-fired boilers, gas-boosted water heaters and gas space heaters have not been eligible under the Energy SavingsElectricity or gas savings or both. Scheme (ESS) since 1 July 2026.

Please verify project eligibility before commencing works, and contact our Compliance team where clarification is required.

IMPORTANT REMINDER – CONSUMER COMPLAINTS

Consumer complaints remain a key area of regulatory focus across the VEU program. All complaints must be investigated promptly and managed professionally, covering workmanship, product performance, warranties and customer service.

Failing to address consumer complaints properly can increase regulatory scrutiny and put your ongoing participation in the VEU program at risk. Strong complaint handling and timely communication with customers protect both consumer outcomes and program integrity.

COMPLIANCE TIP OF THE MONTH

Never Reimburse or Cash Back the Customer Co-Payment

The ESC has confirmed that co-payments are a mandatory part of program integrity and must never be reimbursed, discounted after the fact, or returned to the customer as a cashback. Duplicate or multiple VEECVictorian Energy Efficiency Certificate claims across accredited persons for the same activity are treated the same way — as a compliance breach.

Before closing out a job, confirm:

The customer has genuinely paid the full co-payment amount.

No rebate, discount or cashback arrangement offsets that payment.

Only one accredited person is claiming certificates for the activity.

CLOSING REMARKS

August and September brought real momentum for our partners — new PDRS battery activities, confirmed VEU specification changes, and Northmore Gordon’s own accreditation for BESS3, BESS4 and BESS5 — alongside a reminder, through the ESC’s recent enforcement actions, of how important it is to keep evidence, co-payments and accreditation status beyond reproach.

Northmore Gordon is committed to supporting our partners through these changes while maintaining the integrity of the programs and delivering positive outcomes for consumers.

Should you require clarification on any of the updates outlined above, please contact our Compliance Team via compliance@northmoregordon.com or call 03 9046 1914.

Kind regards,

Northmore Gordon Compliance Team