The Australian Government has introduced a new Developer Rating Scheme to improve transparency and build trust between renewable energy developers and the communities where major energy projects are planned. The initiative is intended to provide landholders and regional communities with reliable information about companies developing renewable energy and electricity transmission infrastructure across the country.
As Australia continues to expand its clean energy network through solar and wind farms, battery energy storage systems, and major transmission projects, many landholders have faced uncertainty when engaging with project developers. The new scheme aims to address these concerns by offering an independent assessment of participating companies, helping communities make more informed decisions when approached by developers.
The scheme officially opened to industry in March 2026, allowing renewable energy developers and transmission businesses to begin the assessment process. Following a competitive open tender, Equifax Australasia Credit Ratings was appointed as the independent operator responsible for designing, implementing, and managing the program. Participation is voluntary, and companies choosing to take part are required to pay a fee for the independent evaluation.
Under the Developer Rating Scheme, participating businesses are assessed using a comprehensive seven-point framework. The evaluation measures a company’s performance across key areas including community engagement, conduct, character, capability, capacity, capital strength, and counterparty performance. The framework has been designed to accommodate a wide range of renewable energy technologies and business models, ensuring fair and consistent assessments across the industry.
Companies that successfully meet the required standards across all seven assessment categories will receive official accreditation. Accredited businesses will be listed on a free, publicly accessible online register, making it easier for landholders and communities to verify a developer’s credentials before entering into discussions or agreements.
A key feature of the online register is a dedicated star rating that specifically measures each company’s performance in community consultation and local engagement. This rating is intended to give communities a simple and transparent way to compare developers based on how effectively they work with local stakeholders.
The introduction of the scheme follows recommendations made during the 2023 Community Engagement Review led by former Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer. The review identified the need for stronger communication and improved engagement practices between developers and regional communities involved in energy projects.
The Australian Government developed the framework through extensive consultation with state and territory governments, local councils, landholders, community organisations, and clean energy developers. By creating an independent national benchmark for developer performance, the government aims to promote higher standards across the renewable energy sector, strengthen community confidence, and support more constructive relationships between developers and the regions hosting Australia’s clean energy infrastructure.
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