7 Star NatHERS Certificate

Clear guidance on requirements across every state.

Understand what applies to your project and what to do next.

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Australia’s energy efficiency requirements for residential buildings have evolved.
Under the current National Construction Code, most new homes must now achieve a 7-star NatHERS rating alongside additional Whole of Home energy requirements.

This page brings together everything you need to understand how compliance works today, what’s changed, and how it applies to your project.

What is NatHERS today
What changed in the NCC
What you need for compliance

Explore:

What is it? Do I need it? What do I need? Time & Cost

What is a 7 Star NatHERS Certificate?

A NatHERS Certificate measures the thermal performance of a residential building. In many cases, NatHERS is used alongside BASIX in NSW

It provides a star rating from 0 to 10, based on how well the home maintains comfortable indoor temperatures using its design without relying heavily on mechanical heating or cooling.

Under the National Construction Code (NCC 2022), most new homes must achieve a minimum 7-star rating, alongside additional Whole of Home energy requirements.

The assessment considers:

Building materials and construction
Insulation levels
Orientation and layout
Window size, type and placement
Shading and ventilation

It does not include appliances, solar systems, or occupant behaviour.

A higher star rating means:

Less energy required for heating and cooling
Improved year-round comfort
Better overall building performance

NatHERS uses a 0–10 star scale:

• 0 stars → very poor performance
• 7 stars → current minimum standard
• 10 stars → near self-regulating comfort

The higher the rating, the less energy is required to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

There are two main compliance pathways:

• Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) – the standard NatHERS pathway
• Alternative Solutions – including VURB and state-specific methods

The most suitable pathway depends on your project.

NatHERS focuses on the building’s design and fabric, not appliances or how the home is used.

How 7 Star Ratings Work

How NatHERS star ratings work

Understand how the 0–10 scale is calculated and what affects your final rating.

Read how NatHERS ratings are calculated

7 STAR ENERGY RATING
THE CURRENT MINIMUM

What you need to know:

• A 7-star NatHERS rating is now the minimum requirement for most new homes under the National Construction Code (NCC)
• It reflects improved thermal performance and reduced reliance on heating and cooling
• Higher-performing homes can deliver lower energy costs and better year-round comfort
• It supports Australia’s broader energy efficiency and emissions reduction goals

Explore how 7-star ratings work in practice

Do I need a 7 Star NatHERS Certificate?

In most cases, yes. You will typically need a NatHERS assessment if you are:

Building a new home
Undertaking a major renovation or extension
Lodging a Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC)

State variations

Requirements vary slightly across Australia:

NSW → NatHERS works alongside BASIX
VIC, QLD, ACT, SA, WA → NatHERS or equivalent compliance pathway
Some projects may qualify for alternative solutions

If you're unsure, the fastest way to confirm is to have your plans reviewed.

What do I need for a NatHERS Assessment?

To complete an assessment, we require a clear set of architectural and construction details.

Required information

Floor plans
Elevations and sections
Window and glazing details
Construction specifications (walls, roof, floor)

Additional information (if available)

Site plan with orientation
Shadow diagrams
Material selections

All assessments must be completed by accredited NatHERS assessors using approved software.

At Certified Energy, all assessments are completed by fully accredited professionals in accordance with national standards.

What we do

We model your project using accredited NatHERS software and:

Calculate the star rating
Identify performance gaps
Provide clear, practical recommendations if needed
Issue your NatHERS Certificate for approval

Our role is to ensure your project meets compliance efficiently, without unnecessary redesign.

Through accurate simulation and optimisation, we help ensure your design performs as intended, both on paper and in reality.

All assessments are completed by accredited professionals in accordance with national standards.

Common mistakes when aiming for 7 star

– Treating it as a checklist rather than a design outcome
– Relying on upgrades instead of orientation
– Oversizing glazing without shading
– Engaging too late in the design process

cost

Time & Cost

Timeframe

Standard projects: 2–5 business days
Urgent turnaround available on request

Small projects can typically be modelled within 2–3 hours, with certificates issued within 24 hours.

Larger or multi-dwelling developments may take up to 5 business days, depending on project complexity and documentation quality.

Cost

Pricing depends on:

Project size and complexity
Level of detail required
Whether design optimisation is needed

The cost of a NatHERS assessment depends on the size and complexity of the project, as well as the level of detail required to accurately model the building.
Most standard assessments are provided as a fixed upfront fee.

We focus on clarity, accuracy and practical design outcomes, not just compliance.

When to engage a NatHERS assessor

The earlier energy performance is considered, the easier it is to optimise your design.

Engaging during concept or early design stages allows for better outcomes, often without increasing cost.

FREE DOWNLOAD

SAMPLE NatHERS ENERGY RATING CERTIFICATE

See exactly what a NatHERS certificate includes and how building performance is assessed in practice.
Includes real project data, performance breakdowns, and key compliance outputs.

Core

WHAT DOES A NATHERS ASSESSMENT INCLUDE?

A NatHERS assessment provides a detailed analysis of a home’s thermal performance, including:

Building materials and construction type
Window and glazing performance
Orientation and shading
Climate-specific performance modelling

Results are issued as a NatHERS Universal Certificate, summarising the dwelling’s energy rating and key performance characteristics.

Insight

IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND

NatHERS ratings assess the design and fabric of the building, not appliances or occupant behaviour.

This means the rating reflects how efficiently the home maintains comfort passively, before mechanical systems are considered.

Outcome

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR PROJECT

A well-designed home can achieve higher comfort levels with less reliance on heating and cooling systems.

This leads to:

Lower energy use
Reduced running costs
Improved year-round comfort

How are NatHERS star ratings assessed?

NatHERS assessments follow a structured thermal modelling process using accredited software.
The steps below outline how a star rating is determined.

How Nathers is Assessed

Step 1 — Develop a simulation model

A NatHERS accredited assessor will enter data into the software which will generate a simulation model of the dwelling. The simulation model will include: sizes and functions of the rooms, sizes and specification of openings, building materials/windows/products, type of construction, dwelling orientation and location.

Step 2 — Determine internal temperatures

The simulation model will determine the level of heating or cooling temperature that is needed for occupants to remain comfortable within the dwelling.

Step 3 — Assess heating and cooling demand

The NatHERS Accredited software model will determine the need for heating and cooling systems when internal temperatures fall outside of a comfortable range. This is based on assuming that occupants will open and close windows, blinds or awnings in an attempt to restore a comfortable temperature level prior to using the heating or cooling system.

Step 4 — Calculate a star rating (0–10)

Once the steps above have been completed, the total annual estimated levels of energy efficient heating and cooling are determined by a ranking out of 10 stars.

Understanding NatHERS Requirements

What you need to know, before you begin.

Explore requirements

UPGRADING TO 7 STAR ENERGY RATING ON A BUDGET

Achieving a 7-star NatHERS rating doesn’t always require major cost increases.

Design decisions such as orientation, layout, and shading can significantly improve thermal performance when considered early in the project.

ENERGY RATING CONSULTANT

Choosing the right energy rating consultant can impact both compliance outcomes and project efficiency.

Experience, technical understanding, and the ability to respond quickly all play a role in delivering accurate and reliable NatHERS assessments.

Learn how to choose the right consultant

DOUBLE GLAZING AND 7 STAR ENERGY RATINGS

Window performance plays a key role in achieving a 7-star NatHERS rating.

Options such as double glazing can improve insulation, reduce heat transfer, and support better overall thermal performance.

Explore how glazing impacts your energy rating

GREEN HOME LOANS FOR 7 STAR ENERGY RATED HOMES

Green home loans for energy efficient homes
Some lenders offer incentives for homes that meet 7-star NatHERS standards.

Explore how green home loans work and what qualifies

7 STAR HOMES, WHY ENERGY EFFICIENCY MATTERS

7-star homes are designed to deliver improved comfort, lower energy use, and better overall living conditions.

As energy efficiency becomes a core requirement in residential design, understanding the benefits of higher-performing homes is increasingly important.

Explore the benefits of 7-star homes