We have finalised our consultation on the transition period to allow non omni-directional lamps to be installed under activity 21A of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. We have decided to extend the transition period for these lamps until 31 July 2019 .

Our monthly VEU Bulletins for accredited persons share insights and information to support participation and improve compliance with the VEU program.

 View the latest and past editions via the links below.

From 1 November 2023, people who hold, transfer and surrender VEECs are required to obtain a VEET Scheme Registry Account. This includes accredited persons, relevant entities and other parties that hold or transfer VEECs (e.g. traders).

However, if you were holding VEECs on 1 November 2023, you have until 1 November 2024 to obtain your registry account.

Delays assessing accreditation renewal applications: We currently have a backlog of accreditation and renewal applications which has unfortunately resulted in delays in assessing applications. We apologise to those affected by the delay and are making every effort to work through the backlog and assess applications as quickly as possible. 

If you are already an accredited person and you have made a valid application for renewal, your existing accreditation will continue until the commission determines the application.

On 1 July 2023, important changes to the VEU program came into effect. These changes include new accreditation processes and standards, new program fees, and strengthened functions and powers for the commission.

To remain accredited to participate in the VEU program all accredited persons will need to apply to the commission to renew their accreditation.

There are four simple steps to renew your accreditation:

Please note: 

• Accredited persons who apply for renewal of accreditation at least 90 days before the expiry date of their accreditation will remain accredited until the commission determines the application. Applications lodged less than 90 days before the specified expiry date will incur a $13,814 late fee.
• If accredited persons do not apply for renewal of their accreditation, their accreditation will expire on the expiry date provided to them on the Accreditation Renewal Notice, and they will no longer be accredited to participate in the program. Once expired, accredited persons may re-apply for accreditation at any time and a $3,000 application for accreditation fee will apply.
• If you add activities as part of your renewal application, you can only create VEECs for additional activities that are undertaken on or after:
• you have received commission approval for the additional activities; and
• the date your new accreditation period begins.
• If your accreditation has not been renewed since 1 July 2023, there may be another option to add activities prior to your renewal. For more information, see the 'Variation of accreditation conditions' section below, or contact us via email at veu@esc.vic.gov.au.

From 1 November 2023, a new $1,500 application fee applies when accredited persons apply to vary their accreditation conditions, including activities they can undertake and other accreditation conditions. More information on the program fees can be found on this page.

This new fee only applies to accredited persons who have been newly accredited or renewed their accreditation under new accreditation processes and standards that came into effect on 1 July 2023. 

Existing accredited persons who have not yet renewed their accreditation must use the existing additional activity application form to submit an application to add activities to their accreditation.

Existing accredited persons who have successfully renewed their accreditation and new accredited persons from 1 July 2023 must use the variation accreditation application form and pay the required fee to apply for variation of their accreditation conditions. 

Adding or removing activities as part of an accreditation renewal application. Accredited persons may apply to add or remove activities as part of their accreditation renewal application, by filling in Part B of the renewal form. However, under changes that came into effect on 1 July 2023, activities added as part of an accreditation renewal application will no longer be backdated to the date of submission and will take effect once the new accreditation period starts, if the application is successful. This means accredited persons can only create VEECs for additional activities that are undertaken on or after:

• you have received commission approval for the additional activities; and
• the date your new accreditation period begins.

Further details on the application process can be found in the application guide for accredited persons attached above. Please contact us via email at veu@esc.vic.gov.au for more information and assistance.

Learn about your obligations as an accredited persons and how to create Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) under the program.

Accredited persons are required to keep records under the program which substantiate the activity undertaken and the VEECs created for the activity. When applying for accreditation and during audits, you will need to show that you have reliable and accurate record keeping arrangements in place.

Records must be retained for six years after the associated certificates are created. We may request these records as part of certificate assessment processes or as part of our compliance activities.

To maintain the integrity of the program, we undertake a range of compliance and enforcement activities. 

From 1 July 2024, accredited persons will be required to undertake an independent assurance audit at least once every two years at their cost. These audits are undertaken against a schedule that is reviewed and updated at least every 12 months. 

Accredited persons may also be subject to compliance audits in certain circumstances, which may be conducted by the commission or an independent auditor.

The commission undertakes investigations that may lead to enforcement action where potential non-compliance with the rules has been identified. From 1 July 2023, the consequences of failing to comply with the program rules may lead to a broader range of enforcement action being taken, such as the issuance of penalty notices or litigation.

Accredited persons (including their sub-contractors and/or persons engaged by third party companies) must comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) when engaging in marketing practices (including telemarketing, doorknocking and advertising) under the program.

On 1 July 2022, the VEU code of conduct came into effect. It sets out obligations for accredited persons and third parties operating on their behalf. From 1 July 2023, failure to comply with the VEU code of conduct will be a breach of a civil penalty requirement that may lead to enforcement action being taken.

Installers must obtain specified units of competency to meet our mandatory safety training requirements before they can undertake certain activities under the program. Accredited persons need to ensure their installers complete the relevant units to safely carry out activities under the program.

Once accredited, you can nominate products you intend to install for activities you have been accredited for, through your VEU account.

You can only nominate products which have been submitted by another stakeholder to us for approval, and is listed with a status of ‘Pending Assessment’ in our Register of Products.

A product will be automatically nominated if the product was submitted for approval by an accredited person.

Product nominations helps us prioritise the assessment of products most likely to be installed in the program. A product will be automatically nominated when an accredited person submits a product for an activity that they are approved to undertake.