Residential Performance
Understand what 6 Star NatHERS meant, how it compares with 7 Star requirements and why older residential energy-rating language still appears in project documentation.
For homeowners, designers, builders and project teams interpreting older approvals, Victorian project references and the transition toward current NatHERS requirements.
Explore the Knowledge HubIn Brief
A 6 Star NatHERS rating was a previous residential energy rating benchmark used to describe the thermal performance of many Australian homes. NatHERS is the national home energy rating system, while 6 Star was one benchmark outcome within that system.
For many current new-home projects, 6 Star should not be assumed to be the applicable target. The relevant pathway may instead involve 7 Star NatHERS, current NCC energy-efficiency requirements, Whole of Home provisions or another location- and approval-specific compliance pathway.
The term remains useful because it appears in older approvals, certificates, design documents, Victorian building language and legacy online searches. Where project documentation still refers to 6 Star, the project date, jurisdiction, approval pathway and current requirements should be checked before relying on that benchmark.
It was an earlier NatHERS benchmark describing a home’s modelled thermal performance within the national star-rating system.
Not necessarily. Current requirements depend on the project location, approval date, building type and applicable regulatory pathway.
Begin with the NatHERS Knowledge Hub or the 7 Star NatHERS page.
Knowledge Navigation
Understand what a 6 Star NatHERS rating meant and how it fitted within the national home energy rating system.
Explore the older benchmark →
Victoria Context See why 6 Star Energy Rating language still appears in Victorian certificates, project files and older building documentation. Review the Victorian context →Compare the older 6 Star benchmark with the higher thermal performance context now relevant to many new homes.
Compare the benchmarks →
Learn where 6 Star remains useful for historical context, older approvals, existing certificates and performance comparisons.
Understand its current role →
Understand why project location, approval timing, building type and compliance pathway determine the applicable requirement.
Review the current context →
See what to check when plans, specifications, permits or previous NatHERS certificates still refer to 6 Star.
Review older documentation →
Identify the next step for current projects, older approvals and Victorian documentation that still uses 6 Star language.
Clarify the next step →
Find answers about older certificates, Victorian requirements, current benchmarks and the relationship between 6 Star and NatHERS.
Read the FAQs →
Victoria Context
In Victoria, the phrase 6 Star Energy Rating still appears in older building documentation, previous project files, older certificates and common search language.
This is because 6 Star was previously familiar residential energy rating language in Victoria. For current new homes, however, Victoria has moved to the NCC 2022 energy efficiency settings. From 1 May 2024, homes assessed under the NatHERS option are required to achieve 7 Stars and a Whole of Home rating not less than 60.
If your Victorian project documents still refer to 6 Star, the important question is whether the project is operating under older approval settings or whether current 7 Star NatHERS requirements now apply.
6 Star may still appear in older Victorian project documents, specifications, certificates and builder correspondence.
For many current Victorian new homes, 7 Star NatHERS and Whole of Home requirements are now the more relevant compliance context.
The applicable standard depends on the project timing, approval status, design changes and assessment pathway.
For current new home context, see 7 Star NatHERS or read more about NatHERS and NCC compliance.
Comparison
6 Star and 7 Star are both rating outcomes within the NatHERS system. The difference is the benchmark. A 7 Star rating represents a higher level of thermal performance than a 6 Star rating.
In practical terms, a higher NatHERS star rating generally means the home is expected to need less energy for heating and cooling. The design usually needs to respond more carefully to climate, orientation, glazing, shading, insulation and the overall building fabric.
This is why 6 Star is useful as a comparison point, but should not be treated as the default target for current new home compliance. For many current projects, 7 Star NatHERS is the more relevant benchmark to understand.
Older Benchmark
A previous benchmark that still appears in older residential energy rating language, existing certificates, project files and older design advice.
Useful for understanding older documents and comparing how residential performance expectations have changed.
Current Context
A higher thermal performance benchmark that is now more relevant for many current new residential projects.
Often requires earlier design consideration so the home can meet the required energy performance outcome without late design changes.
For a more detailed comparison, read 6 Star vs 7 Star NatHERS Ratings or What Is a 7 Star NatHERS Rating?.
Legacy Context
Yes, but mainly as historical, comparison and documentation context. A 6 Star rating can still matter when you are reviewing older project files, existing NatHERS certificates, previous approvals or design documents created before newer energy efficiency requirements applied.
It can also help explain how residential energy performance expectations have changed. Many people still use the phrase 6 Star Energy Rating when they are trying to understand NatHERS, thermal performance or older residential compliance language.
For a current new home, however, 6 Star should not be assumed to be the applicable target. The correct pathway depends on the project location, approval timing, building type and whether the project is being assessed under current requirements.
Older certificates, previous approvals, legacy reports, old specifications and project files that refer to a 6 Star outcome.
6 Star can help compare older residential performance expectations with current 7 Star NatHERS requirements.
For current new homes, the applicable standard should be checked before assuming that 6 Star is still the right benchmark.
For broader context, read What Is Considered a Good NatHERS Rating? or visit the NatHERS Knowledge Hub.
Current Requirements
Current residential energy requirements depend on the project location, building type, approval pathway and timing. This is why an older 6 Star reference should be checked carefully before it is treated as the standard for a current project.
For many new homes, the more relevant pathway is now 7 Star NatHERS or another current energy efficiency compliance outcome. Some projects may also need to consider state based systems, approval conditions or transitional arrangements.
A project that started under older requirements may not be the same as a project being designed or assessed today. If plans have changed, approvals have expired or the project has moved into a new compliance period, the applicable standard may need to be reviewed.
Residential energy requirements can vary by state or territory, including how NatHERS is used within the approval process.
The relevant standard may depend on when the project was designed, lodged, approved or changed.
Some projects may follow a NatHERS pathway, while others may involve state based requirements or alternative compliance settings.
For current guidance, start with 7 Star NatHERS, the NatHERS Knowledge Hub or read When Is a NatHERS Assessment Required?.
Older Documents
If your plans, specifications, building permit documents or older NatHERS certificate mention 6 Star, it does not automatically mean that 6 Star is the current requirement for the project.
The reference may simply reflect the standard that applied when the project was first designed, quoted, assessed or approved. It may also appear because older residential energy rating language continued to be used in project files after requirements began to change.
The key issue is whether the project is still operating under the same approval conditions, or whether a current NatHERS assessment, updated report or 7 Star pathway may now be required.
A previous 6 Star certificate may still be part of the project record, but it should be checked against the current project status.
If the design has changed since the original assessment, the previous rating may no longer reflect the current plans.
The applicable standard may depend on when the project was lodged, approved, amended or reassessed.
If you are unsure whether an older 6 Star document still applies, send the project information for review through our NatHERS Assessment service.
Project Direction
If you are searching for 6 Star NatHERS, the next step depends on why that term has appeared in your project.
For some projects, 6 Star is simply older language in the file. For others, it may relate to a previous assessment, an older approval or a design that now needs to be checked against current energy efficiency requirements.
Current Project
If the home is being designed, documented or assessed now, start by checking the current NatHERS or 7 Star NatHERS pathway.
Older Documents
If your documents mention 6 Star, check whether the project is still covered by older approval settings or whether a current assessment is needed.
Victoria
For Victorian projects, older 6 Star language may still appear, but current new homes may now need to be considered in the 7 Star context.
Certified Energy can review your plans or older project documents and help identify which NatHERS or residential energy pathway is most relevant.
NatHERS Assessment NatHERS Hub 7 Star NatHERS
Frequently Asked Questions
A 6 Star NatHERS rating was a previous residential energy rating benchmark used to describe the expected thermal performance of a home. NatHERS is the rating system, while 6 Star was one rating outcome within that system.
A 6 Star rating should not be assumed to be the current requirement for a new residential project. The applicable standard depends on the project location, timing, approval pathway and whether the project is being assessed under current requirements.
Yes, mainly because 6 Star Energy Rating language still appears in older Victorian project files, certificates and building documentation. For current Victorian new homes, the project should be checked against the applicable 7 Star NatHERS and Whole of Home requirements.
A 7 Star rating represents a higher thermal performance benchmark than 6 Star. It generally means the home is expected to require less heating and cooling energy than a comparable lower-rated design. For more detail, read 6 Star vs 7 Star NatHERS Ratings.
No. NatHERS is the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. A 6 Star rating is one outcome within the NatHERS scale. A project can be assessed through NatHERS, but the applicable benchmark may no longer be 6 Star.
An older 6 Star certificate may still matter as part of a project record. Whether it remains sufficient depends on the project status, approval timing, applicable transitional arrangements and whether the design has changed since the original assessment.
For a current new home, do not assume 6 Star is the correct target. Start by checking the applicable 7 Star NatHERS context or the broader NatHERS pathway for the project.
Related Reading
These articles explain how older 6 Star language fits into the current NatHERS landscape, including the shift toward 7 Star expectations for many new homes.
6 Star Context
A clearer explanation of what a 6 Star rating meant within the NatHERS system.
Comparison
How the older 6 Star benchmark compares with the higher 7 Star performance context.
Current Benchmark
A practical guide to the NatHERS benchmark now relevant to many current new homes.
Star Ratings
How NatHERS star ratings describe expected thermal performance.
Compliance
How NatHERS fits into current residential energy efficiency requirements.
Assessment Timing
When residential projects may need a NatHERS assessment and why timing matters.
Project Review
Send the available plans, previous energy certificate or project documentation for an initial review. Certified Energy can help determine whether references to 6 Star NatHERS remain relevant or whether the project should be assessed against current residential energy requirements.
The correct pathway depends on the project location, approval stage, applicable construction code and the age of any existing documentation. Early review can clarify whether 7 Star NatHERS, Whole of Home, BASIX or another residential compliance pathway applies.
Last reviewed: June 2026. This page is maintained by Certified Energy as part of its NatHERS Knowledge Hub.
