Regulator takes strong action to ensure integrity of the Victorian Energy Upgrades program
11 February 2025
The Essential Services Commission has banned accredited business Carers Club Australia Pty Ltd (trading as Care for Environment) from the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program for alleged rule breaches.
The VEU is an energy efficiency program, designed to help Victorians cut their energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Accredited businesses undertake energy efficiency upgrades that entitle them to create certificates, which they can then sell.
The alleged breaches involved claiming certificates for household energy efficient upgrades that did not occur.
The Essential Services Commission has:
Cancelled Care for Environment’s VEU accreditation and disqualified them from reapplying for VEU accreditation for five years, as they are no longer considered fit and proper to be accredited.
Refused registration and ordered the surrender of all certificates created by Care for Environment from 1 May to 31 December 2024, valued at around $10 million.
Essential Services Commission Chairperson Gerard Brody said the commission takes these breaches very seriously.
“Our investigation has uncovered what we allege is serious fraudulent conduct, so we have taken quick and decisive steps to protect the integrity of the scheme,” he said.
“Care for Environment claimed it undertook weather sealing upgrades, but our investigation found that these did not occur. While consumer details were falsified, no individual Victorians were directly affected.
“We no longer consider Care for Environment suitable to be accredited, and further enforcement against the company and its officers will be considered.
“The Essential Services Commission will take strong action against any business that breaks VEU rules to protect the program’s integrity and reputation, as we have in this instance.” Commissioner Brody said.
The commission has strong enforcement powers, including refusing or ordering the surrender of certificates, suspending or cancelling accreditations, as well as penalty notices and civil or criminal prosecution of businesses and individuals. We work with other regulators, including Victoria Police, to share information and intelligence.
Please note: The certificate value on this page is based on the spot price of $108.50 as at 11 February 2025.
About the Victorian Energy Upgrades program
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program helps Victorians reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions by providing access to discounted energy efficient products and services. The program also encourages investment, employment and innovation in industries that supply these products and services.
Large energy retailers are required to acquire and surrender Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) to meet annual targets set in Victorian legislation. ‘Accredited persons’ that carry out eligible upgrade activities by installing energy-efficient products in residential or non-residential premises can create VEECs.
The greenhouse gas savings associated with the installation of an energy efficient product and/or decommissioning of an inefficient product determines the number of VEECs that can be created. The level of incentive or discount received by households and businesses varies depending on the market activity and certificate price.
