Clean Energy Regulator 2026-27 Compliance Priorities: ACCU Scheme, STCs, Safeguard Mechanism

Australia's Clean Energy Regulator has published its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2026-27, targeting key risks across carbon and energy schemes. The focused priorities include ensuring small-scale technology certificate (STC) claims are accurate and that auditors deliver evidence-based audits. Enduring priorities cover ACCU Scheme project proponents maintaining evidence of implementation, Safeguard facilities staying at or below baselines by March 2027, and NGER reports being complete and on time. The priorities also require all applications and information to be accurate, participants to meet scheme requirements, and installers and retailers to ensure systems meet technical standards. Unit and Certificate Registry account holders must keep details updated. These rules directly affect participants in Australia's carbon offset market, renewable energy certificate system, and industrial emissions compliance framework. For anyone involved in Australian carbon projects, renewable energy installations, or industrial emissions reporting, these priorities signal where the regulator will focus scrutiny in the coming year. The document provides a clear roadmap of compliance obligations for scheme participants.