Action against Business Channel Australia Pty Ltd (Opt Energy)

17 October 2025

The commission has taken action against Business Channel Australia Pty Ltd (Opt Energy) for allegedly breaching the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program rules. 

Alleged breach 

The commission alleges contractors working on behalf of Opt Energy installed pre-rinse spray valves that did not comply with the VEU program rules. 

Each upgrade involved two spray valves being installed per tap. This occurred after the tap was modified using a customised fitting, making the upgrades ineligible for certificates. 

The VEU code of conduct requires participants to operate in a professional and ethical manner. Pre-installing these customised fittings misrepresents the greenhouse gas savings from the upgrades and undermines the integrity of the program. 

Opt Energy as a VEU accredited business must ensure the Victorian energy efficiency certificates (certificates) they create comply with VEU program rules. 

Opt Energy cooperated with our investigation and took immediate action to comply with activity requirements.

Our decision 

We have:

• refused registration of 13,879 certificates created by Opt Energy, valued at almost $1.2 million*
• warned Opt Energy against future non-compliance and reminded it of the VEU program requirements for pre-rinse spray valve upgrades. 

*Figure calculated using the certificate value of $85.50, the spot price on 13 October 2025.

On 31 July 2025, Opt Energy applied for a review of the commission decision to refuse registration of 13,879 allegedly non-compliant certificates to Opt Energy. 

The review was completed on 24 September 2025 and upheld the commission’s decision. For more information, visit the how we make decisions page.