Special Edition - Battery Accreditation and Requirements                                      

June 2025

Cheaper Home Batteries Program - starts today

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) starts today, and it is aimed at reducing energy costs and promoting energy storage through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). Under this scheme, eligible battery systems installed alongside new or existing solar PV systems may receive a discount of up to 30%. Administered by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER), the program is designed to support the electricity grid, ease peak demand, and enhance the coordination of distributed energy resources.

SAA Accreditation Requirements

Installers need to hold full (design and install) Grid Connected Battery Systems (GCBS)accreditation to be eligible to claim STCs.

Those applying for the GCBS accreditation need have completed prerequisite units of competency and submitted evidence as part of the accreditation application in a Statement of Attainment.

GCBS accreditation types & pre-requisite training

There are three GCBS accreditation types, each with different pre- requisites training units and license requirements:

Accreditation application information can be found our website Grid Connected Battery Systems (GCBS).

SAA Requirements

• Daily Installation Limits

Installation limits are designed to protect consumers and ensure high-quality, safe installations by preventing poor or dishonest practices within the industry.

Installation limit from July 1^st to August 1^st 2025

As a temporary measure, battery systems installed prior to the CHBP launch on 1 July 2025 may be commissioned and signed off from that date, under a modified 'two-a-day' requirement.

Between 1 July and 1 August 2025, battery systems can be commissioned and signed off within one of the following:

• 2 solar systems
• 2 battery systems
• 1 solar system and one battery system
• 1 solar system and two ‘ready to commission’ battery systems
• 1 battery system and two ‘ready to commission’ battery systems or
• 4 ‘ready to commission’ battery systems

This flexibility allows accreditees to manage workflow and complete installations of battery systems.

Installation limit from 2 August 2025

Maximum systems signed off per day - 2 installs in a day:

1. 2 solar systems
2. 2 battery systems or
3. 1 solar system and 1 battery system

Exemption applications may apply

Accredited installers may request an exemption when installing multiple systems, either in phases or at a single site. This exemption from Clause 3.4 allows installers to sign off on up to ten systems per day. This can include:

• an apartment block
• a retirement village or
• a factory development

Installers must review Sections 3.4 and 3.5 of the SAA Requirements to understand key details regarding installation limits, the daily sign-off rule, and applicable exemptions. Please ensure you are familiar with these requirements.

SAA-Requirements_V1.4.pdf

CER Technical Requirements.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Eligibility applies to a single solar battery system with a nominal (total) capacity between 5 kWh and 100 kWh.
• STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates) will be calculated based on the system’s usable capacity.
• A maximum of 50 kWh of usable capacity is eligible for STC claims.
• The battery must be installed with either a new or existing solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
• On-grid batteries must be VPP capable.
• The system is considered installed when a certificate of electrical compliance, or an equivalent document, is signed—confirming compliance with state or territory electrical safety regulations.

To ensure safety, all solar battery systems must:

• Be installed by an installer accredited for Grid Connected Battery Systems (GCBS) by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)
• Be included on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved product list
• Comply with all relevant state and territory electrical safety regulations and installation standards

Compliance and Enforcement

• CER will monitor safety, product compliance, and installer conduct through the SRES Inspection Program.
• Shortly after the 1 July start date, we’ll begin conducting inspections on installed eligible solar battery systems. We’ll share inspection results with state and territory authorities responsible for electrical safety and fair trading.
• Read more about safety and compliance measures and learn how we conduct inspections on small-scale renewable energy systems. 

Installation Timing Rules

• No pre-July 1, 2025 electrical connection or testing/commissioning will be eligible.
• Transition period is from July 1 to August 1, 2025 to allow for solar batteries that have been roughed in only prior to 1 July.

Visit Solar batteries | Clean Energy Regulator for further information.

Introducing the CPD Hub: Your New Learning Platform

This month launched the SAA CPD Hub – a new online platform created for all accreditation holders. The CPD Hub is designed to support installers with staying up to date with essential compliance knowledge.

On 30 June, installers should have received an invitation email from Solar Accreditation Australia – CPD Hub with a link to set up their profile. Completing this setup is important to gain full access to the platform's resources, including:

• SAA Essential Learning Module – all accreditees must complete this training by 30 September 2025. We sent reminder emails to everyone who still need to complete this training. Please read and action it before the due date.
• SAA Technical Articles – covering key compliance topics, with CPD points available for reading and completing short quizzes.
• Upcoming Compliance Training Courses – including those featured in the Build Your Battery Knowledge article later in this newsletter

If you didn’t receive your invitation email, please contact us at info@saaustralia.com.au and we’ll send you a new link.

CPD Hub Article:  Understanding Battery Installation Standards: AS/NZS 5139 compliant installation practices

The increasing adoption of home battery systems, particularly under the upcoming Cheaper Home Batteries Program brings a renewed focus on safe and compliant installations. In Australia, battery installations are governed primarily by the AS/NZS 5139:2019 standard and the Battery Best Practice Guide (BPG), each playing a critical role in ensuring quality and safety.

Unlike many other electrical standards, AS/NZS 5139:2019 applies differently depending on the battery technology types. All battery installations are subject to Sections 1-3 and section 7. Depending on the type of battery being installed, Section 4 or 5 or 6 must be applied. Installers must understand which section of the standard applies to the system they're working with to ensure compliance and safety.

Section 4 – Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

• This applies to pre-assembled, integrated systems that:
• • Appear on the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) Approved Batteries list
  • Comply with the Battery Best Practice Guide (BPG)

   

  Installations of this type of system must adhere to Section 4 requirements.

   

  Pre-assembled Integrated BESS:

   

  A battery energy storage system that is manufactured as a complete, integrated unit. It includes:

  • Power Conversion Equipment (PCE)
  • Battery cells/modules
  • Protection and conditioning components

   

  This equipment is supplied within a dedicated enclosure and is AC-coupled to the remainder of the electrical installation.

   

  Section 5 – Battery System (BS):
  
  

  Applies to pre-assembled systems without an inverter, which:

  • Are listed on the CEC’s Approved Batteries list
  • Comply with the BPG

   

  Installation of this type of system must follow the Section 5 requirements.

  Pre-assembled Battery System (BS):
  A system consisting of:

  • one or more battery cells, modules, or battery systems
  • a Battery Management System (BMS)
  • Protective devices and any other components specified by the equipment manufacturer
  • Packaged for DC coupling to an external inverter or DC bus

  As defined in the BPG, a pre-assembled battery system does not include an inverter.

  This equipment is supplied in a dedicated enclosure and is provided as a complete package for connection to a DC bus or the DC input of a power conversion device (e.g., a multi-mode inverter).

  Section 6 – Other Batteries:
  This covers battery systems that do not comply with the BPG or are not listed by the CEC. These systems often involve bespoke or legacy battery technologies, and their installation must meet the specific criteria detailed in Section 6 of the standard.

Click below to access the rest of the article in the CPD Hub

Learner dashboard | Solar Accreditation Australia

Stay tuned for a recording on the Parallel-Earth Neutral

This recording is being produced through a multi-agency partnership led by Solar Victoria to increase solar battery installations compliance with industry and safety standards. Soon the Parallel-Earth Neutral webinar will be available to all installers on the Solar Victoria website. Stay tuned for more information.

Coming soon in the CPD Hub: Build your battery knowledge

In July SAA will be releasing two training courses on Parallel Earth Neutral Safety and Fire Barrier Requirements Near Habitable Rooms. These courses are based on compliance inspection data from state and territory schemes and are designed to help installers improve their skills in battery storage systems. This is part of SAA’s effort to support the Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) and provide useful tools for industry professionals.

SAA will email installers once the courses are available on the CPD Hub with instructions for how they can access and complete them. These will be Mandatory Learning Modules for ALL Battery Accredited Designers and Installers. 

They need to be completed by 01/07/2026 and will be delivered FREE of charge.

Course: Parallel Earth Neutral - Produced in collaboration with Solar Victoria through a multi-agency partnership

Duration: 15 - 30 minutes

CPD points: 15

Format: interactive training course with multiple-choice question assessment

Relevant Standards: AS/NZS 4777.1:2024, AS/NZS 3000:2018

Content covered: this course provides information on parallel earth and neutral connections in solar and battery installations. It covers how to identify potential parallel earth and neutral faults, understand the safety implications, and ensure compliance with relevant standards to maintain safe and reliable system performance.

Course: Fire Barrier Requirements & Habitable Rooms

Duration: 15 - 30 minutes

CPD points: 15

Format: interactive training course with multiple-choice question assessment

Relevant Standards: AS/NZS 3000:2018, AS/NZS 5139:2019, AS/NZS 1530.1:1994

Content covered: in this course, you will cover the key fire safety requirements for installing battery systems near habitable rooms. Learn when fire barriers are required, the relevant standards applicable, and how to ensure compliant and safe installations in residential and commercial settings.