NETCC Annual Report 2025

How the NETCC protected consumers as new energy tech sales soared in 2025

The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program exists to help protect Australian consumers buying new energy tech. Each year, we produce an annual report, detailing the program’s performance and effectiveness over the year including details on applications, complaints and compliance activities as well as key activities.
Download the NETCC Annual Report 2025

2025 by the numbers

The NETCC program plays a critical role in protecting consumers navigating Australia's growing new energy tech market. It does this by ensuring new applicants meet the NETCC requirements, conducting audits to ensure Approved Sellers continue to meet their obligations, and by investigating complaints and sanctioning those found in breach of the Code.

Here's what the program achieved in 2025:

Key program improvements in 2025

The NETCC made a number of significant improvements in 2025 to strengthen the program and better serve consumers and Approved Sellers:

• Three additional state government programs adopted the NETCC: The WA Residential Battery Program, SA Powering Business Grant and QLD Supercharged Solar for Renters Program chose to extend consumer protections under their programs by ensuring participants use Approved Sellers.
• First independent review commenced: Led by PATHMAKER and Grid Consulting, this review will assess how the Code is operating in practice and shape its future direction to ensure it continues to meet the needs of consumers and industry.
• Interim ACCC reauthorisation granted: The NETCC received interim authorisation under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) in September 2025, providing the program with a firm legal foundation for continued operation.
  

Complaints are rising, Approved Sellers must maintain strong consumer standards

Complaints more than doubled year-on-year, with 445 received in 2025 and a peak of 63 cases in December alone. While this reflects the growth of new energy tech and the NETCC program in 2025, it is also a concerning trend. We are working with Approved Sellers and industry stakeholders to ensure stronger awareness and compliance with key consumer protection standards where the most common breaches are occurring.

What's next in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the NETCC. Key activities include:

• ACCC final authorisation decision: A final decision on the NETCC's reauthorisation under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) is expected in mid-2026, which will further cement the program's standing as a trusted consumer protection framework.
• Independent review findings: The findings from the first independent review of the NETCC will be delivered in July and will inform the program's direction and any Code improvements going forward.
• Launch of the Sales and Installation Agreement template: The new sales template will be released in 2026, giving Approved Sellers a low-cost, legally vetted contract that is fully aligned with the Code.
• Digital and website investment: The NETCC will invest in targeted search optimisation and enhanced website content to improve consumer and industry access to information, including the 'Find an Approved Seller' tool.
• Continued expansion through government programs: Following the announcement of Queensland's Supercharged Solar for Renters Program in December 2025, further growth in Approved Seller numbers is expected. We will continue to advocate for more programs to strengthen consumer protection and require NETCC Approved Sellers.

Download the NETCC Annual Report 2025