I am pleased to present the Clean Energy Regulator’s (CER) Corporate Plan 2025-29 as required under paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). This plan outlines how we are advancing our purpose and objectives, engaging with stakeholders, and further developing staff capability and a pro-integrity culture to deliver the Australian Government’s priorities.
Our purpose is to accelerate carbon abatement for Australia. Through our trusted management of carbon measurement and reduction schemes and world-leading carbon markets, we’re helping Australia to meet its 2030 and 2050 emissions targets.
Over the past year, the CER has taken on responsibility for several new programs aimed at accelerating emissions reduction. Two major schemes, the Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) and the Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) schemes, were legislated and will provide a robust certification framework for renewable energy and low and zero emissions products. In addition, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program was launched to support households and businesses in installing small‑scale battery systems that will help to reduce energy costs. By providing a financial incentive for battery purchases, the program will accelerate battery installations. Additional storage will also help balance electricity supply and demand on the grid and reduce reliance on grid electricity; especially when paired with renewable generation sources like rooftop solar.
The Nature Repair Market is underway, with the first method opened for applications in March 2025. This scheme differs from other schemes in that each certificate is uniquely tied to a specific project and its nature repair outcomes. In contrast, other CER schemes issue certificates based on metrics - such as megawatt-hours of renewable electricity generated - which allow for easier comparison and substitution across projects. We will continue to work with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to build and expand a nature repair market that enables individuals and organisations to undertake and validate their nature repair projects.
The reformed Safeguard Mechanism is reducing the net-emissions of Australia’s largest industrial facilities to deliver a proportional share of Australia’s 2030 climate target. The bulk of the legislated reduction required by Safeguard facilities are consistent with Australia’s emissions reduction targets and occur during the period of this Corporate Plan. We continue to expect 100% compliance from facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.
Our stewardship of these critical programs will require our systems to further adapt to meet the evolving needs of effective program delivery. This stewardship extends well beyond scheme administrative matters, to monitor and enhance certificate markets to create opportunities to better enable participants to deliver carbon abatement outcomes.
As part of our management of Australia’s world-leading carbon markets, we are continuing with the transition to a new unit and certificate registry that will provide a modern, secure and single place to hold and manage certificates. The new registry already hosts Safeguard Mechanism credits and will host Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs), Guarantee of Origin (GO) certificates and biodiversity certificates. We are also leveraging our certificate infrastructure beyond the schemes we administer by helping to provide registry functions for the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
The agency will also enable additional ways to link our certificate markets with investors and other regulatory systems that monitor and account for co-benefits such as nature positive outcomes. Following the successful launch of the new Unit and Certificate Registry in late 2024, we will work to further assess and implement connectivity between the registry and eligible third-party platforms. Having broker platforms, digital marketplaces and companies able to access the registry via secure application programming interfaces (APIs) will help to underpin a deep, liquid and well informed market.
For carbon markets to work effectively, credits must have integrity, and key data should be publicly available. Work has continued to increase transparency across our schemes; where legally permitted and consistent with information privacy requirements. For example, we are investing in independent audits and additional geospatial tools to enhance ACCU Scheme assurance and continuing to implement recommended requirements resulting from the Independent Review of ACCUs. Increasingly we are sharing and publishing more scheme data and information to inform policy and assist the public to understand progress in reducing emissions and to evidence environmental claims. We continue to support individuals and business through the launch and progressive population of our data services website, which will make it easier to find, access and understand our data.
As participation in our schemes and interest in carbon and related markets grow, we adopt a whole-of-system perspective that allows us to be responsive to government policies and stakeholder needs. Our Integrated Transformation and Sustainment Investment Program is transforming our online services to deliver a coherent user experience that is more efficient for those who do business with us while supporting participants to be compliant. Higher levels of transparency on the status of applications help keep us accountable while the data and system improvements allow us to better manage risks and be more efficient.
Australia has deployed renewables at a rapid pace, with a record amount of renewable energy generation capacity added in 2024—driven by high activity in both the small, household sector and grid-based investment. Looking at the period covered by this Corporate Plan, household electrification trends are expected to continue; supported by greater penetration of household batteries. There is also a large pipeline of grid-scale investment that is supported by both CER schemes and broader Australian Government initiatives.
We remain committed to working closely with participants across all our programs to ensure they clearly understand their obligations and opportunities. Our engagement with communities, experts, industry, First Nations peoples, and all levels of government will continue to be a cornerstone of our approach. Maintaining open, two-way communication and a strong focus on continuous improvement is essential to our success. Our newly launched website offers a modern, user-friendly platform that makes it easier for participants and interested parties to access important information.
To deliver on our purpose, we recognise our people are our greatest asset. Upholding integrity in everything we do requires the ongoing support of a dedicated and professional team. I will continue to prioritise fostering a strong, inclusive culture that not only celebrates our achievements but also reinforces our shared commitment to ethical conduct, transparency and innovation.
The next 4 years will be an important period for the CER as Australia progresses in the transition to a low carbon economy. I believe the CER is ready for the challenge, and I look forward to these key years ahead.
Mr David Parker AM
Chair, Clean Energy Regulator
28 August 2025