March 2025

Stay on top of your CPD Points

It is great to see so many of our accreditation holders completing their annual CPD. Many of installers and designers are coming up to their annual cycle needing to complete 100 CPD points. We recommend checking in the SAA Portal the date and how many points are due to make sure these accreditation requirements are met on time.

CPD is an important part of being accredited. It helps you to keep on top of any regulation changes, industry trends and important standards changes that are needed when completing installations.

CPD approved training

You can earn your CPD points by completing training from any of the approved third-party providers listed on our website. There are plenty of options, including both online and in-person courses that cover a range of technical and soft skills.

A reminder to those who still need to complete the AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 essential training. The updated AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 standard addresses critical industry needs and reflects the integration of emerging technologies. It aims to simplify the installation process, reduce complexity, and provide clearer guidelines to make it easier for installers to follow the correct procedures.

It is a requirement for all accreditation holders to complete training on AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 by 1 July 2025 to be confident with the new requirements. You can find different course options here. CPD points from completing this course can be put towards the annual CPD cycle.

Uploading Your Training Certificates

Once you’ve completed a course, be sure to upload your certificates to get your CPD points. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in to your SAA Portal.
2. Select your course from the drop-down list.
3. Enter the course completion date (this must match the date on your CPD certificate).
4. Upload your certificate and click Submit.

Our team is currently experiencing a high volume of CPD enquiries and processing times may take longer than usual. We are prioritising urgent CPD enquiries but please allow for up to 5 business days for the points to show up in your SAA Portal. Thank you for your patience.

CPD courses released in February 2025

Some common non-compliances and what to do to avoid them

As the accreditation scheme operator, SAA analyses non-compliance data from inspection programs to identify recurring challenges installers face in system design and installation.

Following installation standards and guidelines is very important. Not doing so can cause equipment to fail early or create safety risks. The information we receive allows us to provide targeted support to help rectify issues and develop education tools for installers to help prevent future issues.

One of the common issues that occurs in over 60% of audits conducted is SIGN11 where the solar system layout is not properly displayed on a site plan, or the site information sign does not meet AS/NZS5033:2021 requirements. We recommend going through the standard AS/NZS 5033:2021 Clause 5.6.1 to check the key requirements for recording of a solar system layout that are applicable to all system types including micro inverters.

Another common issue that occurs in around 40% of audits conducted is WIRING2.1.1 where Cables and wiring are not securely fixed to minimise movement. These types of non-complaint installations, often have cabling installed with plastic ties as the primary means of support, not securing the cabling in a manner appropriate for the location. To ensure compliance, be sure to always secure cabling with stainless steel cable ties, PV module cable clips or conduit. More detailed information is in AS/NZS 5033:2021 Clause 4.4.3.1 that outlines the requirements for the installation of d.c. cables, and in particular item (c) on Cables do not lie on roofs.

As we continue to analyse non-compliant installation data and identify recurring issues, we will start creating educational content to help accreditation holders understand these common problems and prevent them in the future.

Those who don't have access to the standards, can buy them from Standards Australia Store.

Frequently Asked Questions - CPD

Q: I submitted my CPD points the day before they were due, will they get processed in time?

Our processing times are currently longer than usual due to high volume of CPD enquiries. We are prioritising urgent requests, but it may take up to 5 business days for some CPD points to show up in the Portal.

Q: What does it mean if my accreditation is suspended?

If accreditation is suspended, you are not eligible to claim STCs and please also note that where there is an intention to claim STCs on an installation, no work can occur on that installation whilst in a suspended status.

Q: I submitted my CPD certificates, why did my accreditation still get suspended?

It may be due to CPD certificates submitted the day before the due date and we are still processing them. If your accreditation has been suspended while you submitted your CPD points by the due date and your certificates are then approved, we will lift your suspension automatically.

Q: I completed a CPD course but don't have a certificate, can I still receive CPD points?

You should contact the training provider where you completed the course and ask for a certificate. Certificates of completion are usually not issued automatically and may take up to a week to be processed. After receiving your certificate, you can submit it for CPD points.

Solar & Storage Live Queensland

Thank you to everyone who came to see us at the Master Electrician Australia Installer Training Hub at Solar & Storage Live Queensland this week. We appreciate your time and questions.