To prepare your application you need to develop or update your business systems and documentation, and compete the two-part application form.

Completing an application takes time and effort. To help you get through it we have broken it down into five steps, as described in detail below.

Preparing your application - 5 step Timeline.PNG

Our Application for Accreditation Guide - ACPs sets out the application requirements, describes how we make decisions regarding applications, and outlines our framework for setting audit regimes and ESC creation limits for new accreditations. You should take the time to read this document.

We are happy to answer any specific questions that you may have regarding the application process or ESS requirements - please contact us.

The five steps for preparing your application

Step 1: Choose the appropriate calculation method

Energy savings are calculated using a number of methods designed for particular sectors and activities. You need to identify the calculation method that best suits your activity.

Step 2: Setup your business processes and systems

You need to demonstrate that you will have business processes and systems for managing your proposed activity. For example, you will need to have:

  • A record keeping system and may decide to create your own system or use a proprietary system developed by a software provider

  • Processes to engage, manage and train the people involved in your activity, and

  • Processes to engage with customers, provide them with relevant information and, for some activities, collect a specified minimum co-payment amount.

Our guidance documents describe the ESS requirements so that you can set up your business processes and systems. Table 1 below provides links to our general guidance documents.

You also need to consider what you would do with the certificates that you create. It is up to you to determine how you will participate in the certificate market.

You will need to withhold or set-aside a percentage of registered ESCs from sale or trade until the validity of the ESCs have been confirmed through an audit. For more information, see our Fact Sheet – Undertakings.

Step 3: Prepare your business documentation

You need to prepare documentation for your proposed activity. Some of the documents that you may need to develop include, but are not limited to:

You may also need to prepare and obtain documentation about your business, such as:

Step 4: Complete the application form

You need to complete the application form which has two parts:

  1. Application for accreditation Form Part A - ACPs covers the general details of your proposed activity, business model, systems and organisation (refer Table 1 below).

    There are two versions of this form. One is for applicants new to the ESS (including applicants that, if accredited, would be considered a ‘Related ACP’ of another ACP - refer Table 1 below). The other is for current ACPs that are applying for another accreditation.
     

  2. Application Form Part B - ACPs covers the details that are specific to the calculation method for your proposed activity. Refer to the Method Guide for your selected calculation method for the specific requirements (refer Table 2 below).

Typically, an application has just one calculation method. However, in some cases, you may apply for more than one calculation method in an application. See section 1.1 of the Application for Accreditation Guide.

The information you provide in the application form must be sufficiently detailed and consistent with your supporting documentation.

Step 5: Check your documents are accurate and complete

Before you submit your application, check that all required sections of the application form have been completed and that all documentation is complete and accurate. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of your quality assurance processes.

Make sure you have the latest version of our guidance documents.

Below are links to the latest versions of the guidance documents you will need to prepare your application.

The ESS requirements change from time and time. We regularly update our guidance documents to reflect changes to the ESS legislation, clarify requirements or in response to identified compliance issues.

We will assess your application in accordance with current ESS requirements. Sometimes these requirements change during your application process. If this occurs, we will ask you to provide information about how you will comply with any new or changed requirements.

Links to your Application for Accreditation Form - Part A

This table provides links to the guides that will assist you with understanding the ESS requirements and preparing your application for accreditation.

Table 1

Document name

Description

Application for Accreditation Form Part A - new applicants

Application form for accreditation as an ACP for applicants that are new to the ESS. This includes applicants that, if accredited, would be considered a ‘Related ACP’ of another ACP (for example, where you share the same office holders, are controlled by the same entity, or use the same staff – refer to the ACP Compliance Guide).

Application for Accreditation Form Part A - current ACPs

Application form for accreditation as an ACP for current ACPs that are applying for another accreditation.

Application for Accreditation Guide - ACPs

Describes the ESS requirements for applications for accreditation.

General Requirements - ACPs

Describes general ESS requirements that apply to all ACPs, irrespective of the method for which they are accredited.

Record Keeping Guide

Describes the ESS requirements for ACPs to retain records and evidence of their energy savings activities.

Minimum requirements of conduct (ESS Notice 01/2013)

Describes the ESS requirements of conduct for ACPs and their representatives.

Fact Sheet - Undertakings

Describes set-aside undertakings that we require all applicants for undertakings to give.

Energy Savings Scheme Rule of 2009

Sets the specific requirements for the creation and calculation of ESCs for each calculation method.

Other ESS Notices

Various notices that set out new or changing requirements or important information.

Links to your Application for Accreditation Form - Part B

This table provides links to the method page, method guide and Application for Accreditation Form Part B for each calculation method.

Typically we accept only one calculation method per application, you may need to submit a separate application to use another calculation method.

Table 2

Calculation method page

Method Guidance

Application For Accreditation Form Part B

Aggregated Metered Baseline

Aggregated Metered Baseline - Method Guide

Aggregated Metered Baseline - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Commercial Lighting Energy Savings Formula

Commercial Lighting - Method Guide

Commercial Lighting - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits

HEER - Method Guide

HEER - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Installation of High Efficiency Appliances for Business

IHEAB - Method Guide

IHEAB - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Metered Baseline Methods

MBM - Method Guide

MBM - Application Form Part B - ACPs

NABERS Baseline

NABERS Baseline - Method Guide

NABERS - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Power Factor Correction Energy Savings Formula

PFC - Method Guide

PFC - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Project Impact Assessment with M&V

PIAM&V - Method Guide

PIAM&V Method Requirements

PIAM&V - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Public Lighting Energy Savings Formula

Public Lighting - Method guide

Public Lighting - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Removal of Old Appliances

Removal of Old Appliances - Method Guide

Removal of Old Appliances - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Sale of New Appliances

Sale of New Appliances - Method Guide

Sale of New Appliances - Application Form Part B - ACPs

Links to your templates

This table provides links to templates that you may help you prepare your application.

Table 3

Document Name

Description

Nomination form template

Templates to help you develop nomination forms.

RESA delivery process flow chart template

Template to help you develop the RESA delivery process flow chart for your proposed RESA.