SAA Compliance
Compliance is a critical element of SAA accreditation. Our compliance procedures ensure Australian Standards, SAA Guidelines and other regulations are followed and the standard of work upheld. Quality work ensures that the reputation of the rooftop solar and battery storage industry is maintained so that demand for the industry remains strong.
When SAA is made aware of a design or installation that does not meet relevant Australian Standards, SAA Requirements or other regulations, we contact the responsible accredited person to inform them of the issue and the required actions to remediate any non-compliance. This may involve completing rectifications to address a specific non-compliance.
SAA’s compliance program interacts with compliance audit information provided by multiple sources. SAA’s primary source of compliance data is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) inspections program administered by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER).
SAA also acts on compliance matters brought to us by State/Territory Electrical Regulators, other Scheme Operators, Industry and Consumers. SAA takes a risk-based approach to compliance.
SAA Compliance Process & Actions
SAA compliance process
When SAA receives a compliance matter, we will assess the information provided and issue the responsible accredited person with a Notice of Rectification and Demerit points.
Rectification of Non-compliant Installations
When SAA Compliance receive a non-compliance matter, the information will be assessed, and where appropriate, a Notice of Rectification will be sent to the accredited person.
The accredited person is responsible for ensuring that all non-compliant items are rectified and will be given a timeframe in which to respond to the Notice of Rectification from SAA.
Each non-compliant item shall be rectified to meet the relevant regulation and Proof of Rectification (PoR) shall be provided to SAA in the form of a photograph or document that proves compliance.
Failure to respond to notices/requests from SAA may result in a No Response Suspension. Failure to respond to notices/requests from SAA for a period of 6 months or greater may result in Cancellation of accreditation.
Demerit points
SAA will allocate demerit points as a result of:
- Technical non-compliance;
- Safety non-compliance.
Demerit point duration
Demerit points last for 2 years from the date they are given and are automatically removed after the 2 years have lapsed.
Demerit Points vs Non-Compliance Points
Accrual of non-compliance points
Non-compliance points are based on the individual non-compliant items contained within the reports we receive, not on the overall categorisation of the report. See the table below for the number of non-compliance points associated with different categories of non-compliance – Unsafe, Needs Rectification, Medium non-compliance, and Minor non-compliance.
SAA Non-compliance points structure
| SAA Category | CER Inspection Category | SAA Non-Compliance Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe | Unsafe | 10 | The system poses an imminent risk of damage to property or persons. The system had to be shut down and made safe. |
| Needs Rectification | Needs Rectification | 6 | The system has failed to meet key requirements and poses a high risk that may lead to premature equipment failure or other issues. |
| Medium non-compliance | Medium non-compliance | 2 | The system has failed to meet requirements and poses a medium risk. |
| Minor non-compliance | Minor non-compliance | 1 | The system has failed to meet requirements and poses a low risk. |
Non-compliance points and demerit points
The total number of non-compliance points (per report) are used to establish Demerit Points against the installer’s accreditation in line with the table below:
Non-compliance Points (per report) | Demerit Points |
1 to 5 | 1 |
6 to 10 | 2 |
11 to 15 | 3 |
16 to 20 | 4 |
21 to 25 | 5 |
26 to 30 | 6 |
31 to 35 | 7 |
36 to 40 | 8 |
41 to 50 | 9 |
51 or more | 10 |
Impact of Demerit Points
- If 21 or more demerit points are accrued in a 2 year period, the accredited person may be suspended or cancelled from the SAA accreditation scheme.
- A show cause notice will be issued that sets out the reasons for the decision to suspend or cancel the accredited person from the SAA accreditation scheme. The show cause notice will identify the right of review.
- If the accredited person completes an unsafe installation and has not rectified the work within 10 business days of receiving a final report from the Clean Energy Regulator, SAA may issue a notice to show cause for suspension.
- In a Suspended or Cancelled status, STCs cannot be claimed.
Suspensions and Cancellations
- First suspension – suspended from the program for 3 months – plus one month for every 4 points over the 21 point limit (no more than 6 months).
- Second suspension – suspended from the program for 6 months – plus one month for every 4 points over the 21 point limit (no more than 12 months).
- Third suspension (over more than 5 years) – suspended from the program for 12 months
- Third suspension (within 5 years) – cancellation of accreditation for a minimum of 12 months
- Two cancellations in a 10 year period results in lifetime cancellation of accreditation without the possibility of becoming accredited again with SAA.
- SAA reserves the right to cancel accreditations for reasons beyond technical non-compliance.
