Regulatory changes are coming into effect to ensure inverters and smart devices can communicate securely with energy networks
The Clean Energy Council (CEC), Australian National University (ANU), Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and National Energy Public Key Infrastructure (NEPKI) are providing an update on the rollout of CSIP-AUS certification and NEPKI onboarding requirements for distributed energy resources (DER) in Australia.
These requirements are being progressively introduced by electricity networks across Australia to support secure, reliable and interoperable communication with DER, including rooftop solar and batteries.
What this means for you
All electricity networks in NSW, Victoria, SA, ACT and Queensland that utilise CSIP-AUS, as well as Synergy in WA, have engaged NEPKI as their PKI service provider for CSIP-AUS communications and are onboarding to NEPKI.
To support connection to Australian electricity networks using CSIP-AUS, relevant parties must:
1. Ensure products are certified to CSIP-AUS,
2. Ensure products are listed with the CEC; and
3. Pre-register and onboard to NEPKI to obtain PKI certificates for secure communications.
If you have not yet commenced these processes, we strongly encourage you to begin now.
The below diagram shows the process flow. Noting if you have a form of CSIP-AUS accreditation you can currently concurrently progress to Step 3: PKI pre-registration and onboarding.
Process
Key deadlines
- 1 October 2026
CSIP-AUS v1.1a (HB218:2023) will no longer be accepted by NEPKI. All systems will need to be certified to CSIP-AUS v1.2 (TS5573:2025)
- Late 2026 (NSW)
The NSW Emergency Backstop Mechanism will be progressively introduced and will require all exporting solar systems to support CSIP-AUS v1.2 (TS5573:2025) and use NEPKI certificates. NSW electricity networks will retire interim PKI certificates as soon as possible. Therefore, all OEMs should onboard to NEPKI as soon as they can.
Instructions
Follow these steps to include or update SCC details including CSIP-AUS on the CEC approved inverter list
STEP ONE
CSIP-AUS certification
CSIP-AUS is the communications protocol that enables visibility and control of DER by electricity networks. If your product is already certified to CSIP-AUS v1.1a (HS218:2023), you can commence NEPKI onboarding now (see Step 2), however you will need to re-certify to v1.2 (TS5573:2025) by 1 October 2026.
To become certified to TS5573:2025:
- Visit https://www.csipaus.org/certification
- Complete testing and certification through ANU
- Once certified, your product will be listed by the Clean Energy Council.
Certification typically takes 4-6 weeks, depending on your readiness and industry demand.
STEP TWO
Clean Energy Council Approved Product lists
Once the CSIP-AUS and certification process is complete, ANU will send the details of certified inverter models to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) directly.
- If the certified inverter models are already included on the CEC Approved Inverter list, the CEC will initiate an application to update the listing with the SCC details. These updates should be completed within two business days.
- If the certified inverter models are still under assessment by the CEC, SCC details will be added to the list once the models receive approval.
- If the certified inverter models are not currently on the Approved Inverter list and an application to join the list has not yet been submitted, the applicant must notify the CEC Products team within their application.
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We are waiving CSIP-AUS administration fees until 1 July 2026
To support manufacturers with the transition to emergency backstop requirements, we will waive our fee for applications to update Software Communication Client information until 1 July 2026.
From 1 July 2026, we will charge an administration fee of $1,000 to cover the administration costs of updating existing approved inverters. The fee applies to each application as follows:
- Each application is for a single inverter manufacturer and software client manufacturer, with no cap on the number of models that can be included, provided all relevant test reports are provided by ANU on the same day.
- If test reports are provided on different days, then they will be processed separately as different applications, each with its own application fee.
We encourage manufacturers to apply to ANU with all their relevant inverter models at the same time to avoid application delays.
STEP THREE
NEPKI pre-registration and onboarding
NEPKI provides the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates required for secure communication using CSIP-AUS.
For more information on the NEPKI pre-registration and onboarding visit nepki.com.au or contact info@nepki.com.au.
What you should do now
- OEMs / inverter and gateway providers:
Begin (or continue) CSIP-AUS certification and initiate NEPKI onboarding as soon as possible
- Retailers, aggregators and software providers:
Confirm your readiness to onboard to NEPKI and support CSIP-AUS communications
- Installers:
Be aware that CSIP-AUS-certified products and compliant communications will increasingly be required for system connections.
Further information and support
If you have any questions, please reach out via the links below. Additional guidance materials, FAQs and onboarding resources are also available via the links below.
The CEC, ANU and NEPKI are working closely with industry and networks to support a smooth transition. Early engagement will help avoid delays and ensure continued market access.
