SAA Compliance
Compliance is a critical element of the Accreditation Scheme. Our compliance procedures ensure Australian Standards, SAA Guidelines and other regulations are followed and the standard of work is 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 compliance referral. This may involve completing rectifications to address a specific compliance referral.
Our compliance program interacts with compliance referral provided by multiple sources. The primary source of compliance data is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) inspections program administered by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER).
We also act on compliance referrals from State/Territory Electrical Regulators, other Scheme Operators, Industry and Consumers. We take a risk-based approach to compliance.
SAA Compliance Process & Actions
SAA compliance process
When we receive a compliance referral, we will assess the information provided and issue the responsible accredited person with a Notice of Rectification Required (NORR) and/or Demerit points.
Rectification of Non-compliant Installations
When we receive a compliance referral, the information will be assessed, and where appropriate, a NORR 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 NORR from SAA.
Each compliance referral item shall be rectified to meet the relevant regulation and Proof of Rectification (PoR) shall be provided to us in the form of a photograph or document that proves compliance.
Failure to respond to notices and requests from SAA may result in a No Response Suspension and if the period is 6 months or greater, it may result in a cancellation of accreditation.
Demerit points
Demerit points are given for technical or safety issues and after two years are cleared automatically. Resolving non-compliances does not remove these points as they are designed to monitor an accreditees work over time and provide opportunities for further training to help close any gaps that relate to compliance.
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 inspection reports we receive, not on the overall categorisation of the report. Depending on the source of the inspection report, we weigh the number of non-compliance points to demerit points to ensure a fair system. The weighting of non-compliance points to demerit points is provided within the section on each scheme.
Outcome of Non-Compliance
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.
NOTE: This is covered in greater detail below in ‘Suspensions & Cancellations’.
- 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 points 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 points 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 us.
- SAA reserves the right to cancel accreditations for reasons beyond technical non-compliance.
NOTE: A ‘No Response Suspension’ does not count towards the cumulative total of ‘Suspensions’ listed above.
Returning from Suspension
To come back into the SAA Accreditation Scheme following a suspension, the accredited person may be required to sit an online assessment and achieve a minimum pass mark of 80%. Three attempts will be provided before the accredited person is locked out for a month from further attempts.
NOTE: This requirement does not apply to a ‘No Response Suspension’.
Returning from Cancellation
To come back into the SAA Accreditation Scheme following a cancellation, the accredited person is required to retrain at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) before going back through the accreditation process from the beginning. The training units completed at the RTO must align with the current accreditation pathways on our website at time of application.
Demerit Points following Suspension or Cancellation
Demerit points reset to 0 when the accredited person re-enters the Scheme from suspension or cancellation.
Review Requests
An accredited person may dispute the technical findings of SAA and/or a state/federal authority through a Review Request.
Review requests must be submitted using the following form. Review requests submitted without supporting evidence, a summary of the dispute and references to the relevant clauses will not be assessed.
Please ensure that all fields are correctly and clearly filled out. The completed form can be emailed to compliance@saaustralia.com.au