Learn about some of the key obligations and processes for an accredited person under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, and access useful participation resources.
Accredited persons
Overview
If you are intending to apply for accreditation, please ensure you understand all the program obligations and relevant activity compliance requirements prior to submitting your application.
You will need to provide documentary evidence of processes and procedures that demonstrate that you understand all the requirements. Providing a complete application is essential and your application may be refused if required information or documents are not provided.
Accredited persons can create Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) for a range of activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
All accredited persons are responsible for carrying out activities in compliance with the program rules. Some of the key obligations of an accredited person are listed below.
All accredited persons are required to pass a fit and proper persons test, and a competent and capable test each year to remain accredited under the VEU program.
Accreditations expire 12 months after the date on which they are granted. All accredited persons must renew their accreditation status annually if they wish to continue participating in the VEU program. Accredited persons must ensure that applications for renewal are received at least 90 calendar days before the date of expiry.
New requirements for people who hold, transfer or surrender VEECs from 1 November 2023
From 1 November 2023, people who hold, transfer and surrender VEECs will first be required to obtain a VEET Scheme Registry Account. This includes accredited persons, relevant entities and other parties that hold or transfer VEECs (e.g. traders).
However, if you were holding VEECs on 1 November 2023, you have until 1 November 2024 to obtain your registry account.
Renewing your accreditation
On 1 July 2023, important changes to the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program came into effect. These changes include new accreditation processes and standards, new program fees, and strengthened functions and powers for the commission.
To remain accredited to participate in the VEU program all accredited persons will need to apply to the commission to renew their accreditation.
The commission has declared an ‘accreditation transition period’ from 15 October 2023 to 14 October 2024. All accredited persons have been assigned a date within this period on which their accreditation expires. Applications lodged after the specified due date in the declaration on the accreditation transition period will incur a $13,814 late lodgement fee.
There are four simple steps to renew your accreditation:
| Step 1 - Prepare | Step 2 - Apply | Step 3 - Respond | Step 4 - Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
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Check when your accreditation expires and the due date to apply to renew your accreditation in the commission’s declaration on the accreditation transition period.
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Apply at least 90 days before the expiry date using the VEU accreditation application form and pay the accreditation renewal application fee of $1,000.
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Respond to any requests for further information from the commission by the specified date. | We will send you a notice of our decision. A decision to grant accreditation may come with conditions. |
If accredited persons do not apply for renewal of their accreditation, their accreditation will expire on the specified expiry date in the declaration on the accreditation transition period and they will no longer be accredited to participate in the program. Once expired, accredited persons may re-apply for accreditation at any time and a $3,000 application for accreditation fee will apply.
5 July 2023
Assigns accreditation expiry dates and due dates to apply for accreditation renewal for all accredited persons between 5 October 2023 and 14 October 2024.
(pdf, 276.93 KB)
30 June 2023
More information about the accreditation renewal application process and requirements.
(pdf, 382.15 KB)
Variation of accreditation conditions
From 1 November 2023, a new $1,500 application fee applies when accredited persons apply to vary their accreditation conditions, including activities they can undertake and other accreditation conditions. More information on the program fees can be found on this page.
This new fee only applies to accredited persons who have been newly accredited or renewed their accreditation under new accreditation processes and standards that came into effect on 1 July 2023.
Existing accredited persons who have not yet renewed their accreditation must use the existing additional activity application form to submit an application for variation of their accreditation conditions.
Existing accredited persons who have successfully renewed their accreditation and new accredited persons from 1 July 2023 must use the new accreditation application form and pay the required fee to apply for variation of their accreditation conditions.
Further details on the application process can be found in the application guide for accredited persons attached above.
Obligations and program guide
Learn about your obligations as an accredited persons and how to create Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) under the program.
Recordkeeping
Accredited persons are required to keep records under the program which substantiate the activity undertaken and the VEECs created for the activity. When applying for accreditation and during audits, you will need to show that you have reliable and accurate record keeping arrangements in place.
Records must be retained for six years after the associated certificates are created. We may request these records as part of certificate assessment processes or as part of our compliance activities.
Audits/investigations
To maintain integrity of the program, we undertake a range of compliance and enforcement activities.
Accredited persons will be required to undertake an independent assurance audit at least once every two years at their cost. Accredited persons may also be required to appoint an independent person to conduct a compliance audit, or the commission may undertake such an audit.
The commission will also undertake investigations that may lead to the taking of enforcement activity where it considers there may be non-compliance with the rules. From 1 July 2023, the consequences for failing to comply with the program rules may lead to a broader range of enforcement action being taken, such as the issuance of penalty notices or litigation.
17 June 2021
Access our audit guide to understand our VEEC creation audits, including our audit processes and accredited person obligations
(pdf, 205.5 KB)
Complying with the Australian Consumer Law and the code of conduct
Accredited persons (including their sub-contractors and/or persons engaged by third party companies) must comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) when engaging in marketing practices (including telemarketing, doorknocking and advertising) under the program.
On 1 July 2022, the VEU code of conduct came into effect. It sets out obligations for accredited persons and third parties operating on their behalf. From 1 July 2023, failure to comply with the VEU code of conduct will be a breach of a civil penalty requirement that may lead to enforcement action being taken.
Complying with mandatory safety training requirements
Installers must obtain specified units of competency to meet our mandatory safety training requirements before they can undertake certain activities under the program. Accredited persons need to ensure their installers complete the relevant units to safely carry out activities under the program.
Nominating a product
Once accredited, you can nominate products you intend to install for activities you have been accredited for, through your VEU account.
You can only nominate products which have been submitted by another stakeholder to us for approval, and is listed with a status of ‘Pending Assessment’ in our Register of Products.
A product will be automatically nominated if the product was submitted for approval by an accredited person.
Product nominations helps us prioritise the assessment of products most likely to be installed in the program. A product will be automatically nominated when an accredited person submits a product for an activity that they are approved to undertake.
Application forms
VEU Accreditation Application Form
1 November 2023
Use this form to apply for accreditation, renewal of accreditation and/or variation in accreditation conditions under the program.
Only accredited persons who are newly accredited or have renewed their accreditation post 1 July 2023 must use this form to apply to vary their accreditation conditions. Please be advised that fees apply.
(docx, 232.34 KB)