Residential Compliance | Australian Capital Territory
Prepare the energy efficiency certificate for an applicable new residential project in the Australian Capital Territory through plans-based assessment under Certified Energy’s ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater.
For architects, building designers, builders, developers, certifiers and homeowners seeking plans-based energy efficiency certification for a proposed ACT home using coordinated project drawings, specifications and supporting assessment information.
Discuss ACT Certificate RequirementsIn Brief
An ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate is formal documentation prepared to support the energy efficiency requirements for an applicable new building in the Australian Capital Territory. For a new residential project, the certificate is based on the proposed plans, construction specifications and relevant supporting assessment information.
The certificate records the outcome of the applicable energy efficiency assessment for the documented design and may form part of the evidence reviewed by the building certifier during the building approval process. NatHERS modelling may provide the underlying residential rating information, but the NatHERS certificate and the ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate perform different documentation functions.
An ACT Energy Efficiency Rating Statement is separate documentation associated with the ACT sale and lease framework. The precise certificate, assessment method and supporting documents required for a new project should be confirmed according to its building type and approval pathway.
It records the relevant energy efficiency assessment outcome for the proposed building and connects that outcome to the plans and specifications reviewed.
The assessment is undertaken from coordinated project drawings, construction specifications and the rating or evidence pathway applicable to the project.
Certified Energy provides plans-based energy efficiency assessment and certificate services for applicable new residential buildings within its current ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater scope.
Knowledge Navigation
Use this guide to understand the purpose of an ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate, when it is relevant to a new residential project, how it relates to NatHERS and what information is typically required for plans-based assessment.
Foundation
Understand the certificate’s building approval function and how it differs from the underlying energy assessment and supporting rating information.
Project Context
Explore how an energy efficiency certificate may support the building approval documentation for an applicable new residential project in the ACT.
System Relationship
See the distinction between the ACT-specific certificate and the NatHERS modelling and rating information that may support its preparation.
Licensed Service Scope
Review the plans-based service provided under Certified Energy’s ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater and the present new residential project scope.
Project Information
Review the drawings, specifications, glazing details, construction systems and supporting project documents that may be required for assessment.
Assessment Pathway
Follow the plans-based workflow from the initial licence-scope and document review through to assessment and preparation of the certificate.
Project Revisions
Understand why changes to orientation, glazing, insulation, floor area or construction systems may require the assessment and certificate to be reviewed.
Practical Guidance
Find direct answers about the certificate, project documentation, NatHERS, design revisions and Certified Energy’s Energy Rater licence scope.
ACT Documentation
An ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate is formal documentation prepared to support the building approval process for an applicable new building in the Australian Capital Territory. It connects the energy efficiency assessment outcome to the proposed building and the plans and specifications reviewed.
For a new residential project, the assessment is undertaken from the documented design. Certified Energy reviews the relevant drawings, construction systems and supporting rating information and prepares the applicable certificate within the scope of its current ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater.
The certificate should not be confused with the modelling method used to establish the rating. NatHERS modelling may provide the underlying thermal performance result and supporting certificate, while the ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate performs a separate jurisdictional documentation function.
Assessment Layer
The proposed building is assessed using the applicable project drawings, construction inputs and energy efficiency pathway. This establishes the performance information on which the project documentation is based.
Supporting Evidence
NatHERS modelling results, accredited software certificates or other applicable assessment evidence may support the project. These records communicate the calculated outcome but do not replace the ACT certificate prepared for its separate documentation purpose.
Formal ACT Documentation
The ACT certificate identifies the assessed building, relevant project documents and energy efficiency outcome. It forms part of the evidence used within the applicable building approval and certification pathway.
Important Distinction
An energy assessment, a supporting NatHERS certificate and an ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate perform related but different functions. The assessment calculates or demonstrates the performance outcome, while the ACT certificate connects that outcome to the proposed building and its approval documentation.
An ACT Energy Efficiency Rating Statement is separate documentation associated with the sale and lease framework. It should not be used interchangeably with the energy efficiency certificate prepared for a new building approval.
Project Context
The energy performance of a new building in the Australian Capital Territory must be demonstrated as part of the building approval process. For an applicable new residential project, an ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate provides formal evidence connecting the assessment outcome to the proposed building and its documented design.
ACT energy efficiency requirements can be demonstrated through different assessment methods. These may include accredited software modelling, comparison with a reference building, a deemed-to-satisfy pathway or an appropriate expert report. For many residential buildings, plans-based software modelling is used to establish the relevant energy efficiency outcome.
The assessment and certificate should be coordinated with the wider building approval documentation rather than treated as an isolated item after the design has been finalised. Certified Energy prepares applicable plans-based assessments and certificates within the scope of its current ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater.
New Residential Projects
The certificate supports an applicable new residential project where energy efficiency evidence is required as part of the building approval documentation.
Approval Documentation
The certificate forms part of the evidence reviewed by the building certifier to confirm how the proposed building’s energy efficiency requirements have been addressed.
Developed Design
Plans-based assessment can generally begin once the building form, orientation, construction systems, glazing and insulation specifications are sufficiently developed to support reliable modelling.
Project Confirmation
The appropriate assessment method and supporting evidence depend on the building, proposed work and approval pathway and should be confirmed for the individual project.
When Should the Assessment Begin?
The most useful point is usually when the principal design and construction specifications are established, but before the building documentation is treated as final. This allows missing information to be resolved and any assessment-related changes to be coordinated with the current drawings.
The building certifier should confirm the precise energy efficiency evidence and building approval documents required for the individual project.
System Relationship
An ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate and a NatHERS certificate perform related but different functions. NatHERS provides a national method for modelling and rating residential energy performance, while the ACT certificate forms part of the jurisdiction-specific documentation used for an applicable building approval.
For a new home, the proposed plans and construction specifications may be modelled using NatHERS accredited software. The resulting NatHERS certificate records the calculated rating and the principal project inputs represented in that assessment. This information may then support preparation of the ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate required for the documented project.
The two certificates should not be used interchangeably. The NatHERS certificate communicates the modelling result within the national rating framework. The ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate connects the applicable assessment outcome to the proposed building and its ACT building approval documentation.
ACT-Specific Documentation
The ACT certificate relates to an individual building and the plans, specifications and assessment evidence reviewed. It supports the applicable building approval pathway and is prepared within the relevant ACT Energy Rater licence scope.
Its primary territory includes:
ACT building approval documentation, licensed preparation, plans-based project information and connection of the assessment outcome to the proposed building.
National Rating Framework
NatHERS provides the modelling framework used to assess residential thermal performance and produce a star rating. The assessment represents the proposed design, construction, orientation and relevant climate information in accredited software.
Its primary territory includes:
Thermal modelling, heating and cooling loads, climate inputs, construction details, accredited software and residential star-rating methodology.
In Simple Terms
NatHERS provides the underlying residential modelling method, rating result and NatHERS certificate. The ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate records the applicable assessment outcome within the formal ACT building approval documentation for the proposed project.
Certified Energy prepares applicable plans-based ACT certificates within the scope of its current ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater.
Explore the NatHERS Knowledge Hub →
Licensed Service Scope
Certified Energy holds an ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater and provides plans-based energy efficiency assessment and certificate services for applicable new residential buildings within the scope of that licence.
The service is undertaken from architectural drawings, construction specifications and relevant supporting project information. The initial review considers the proposed building, project stage, available documentation and the energy efficiency certificate being requested.
The current service is for new residential projects assessed from plans. It does not include on-site assessment of occupied or established homes for property sale, rental, mandatory disclosure or retrofit purposes.
Current Service
Certified Energy reviews applicable new residential projects where the energy assessment and ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate are prepared from the proposed design and coordinated project documentation.
The assessment is connected to the building, plans, specifications and supporting rating information provided for the individual project.
Outside the Current Service
Certified Energy does not currently provide on-site ACT energy rating assessments for occupied or established homes through this service.
This includes property-sale assessments, rental-property inspections, existing-home disclosure statements and retrofit or upgrade advice.
Scope Confirmation
Before commencing an assessment, Certified Energy reviews the project location, proposed building, available documents and requested output to confirm that the work aligns with its current ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater scope.
Where the requested assessment or documentation falls outside the current service scope, this can be identified during the initial project review.
Project Information
A plans-based energy efficiency assessment relies on project documentation that clearly describes the proposed building, its orientation, construction systems and energy-relevant design details.
The exact information required can depend on the building type, assessment method, project stage and building approval pathway. The items below are therefore indicative rather than a universal submission checklist.
Where information is incomplete or inconsistent across the drawings, schedules and specifications, clarification may be required before the assessment and ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate can be finalised.
Architectural Documentation
This may include floor plans, elevations, sections, roof plans and other drawings that establish the size, form, layout and enclosing surfaces of the proposed building.
Site Context
A site plan, north point, project address and relevant surrounding context help establish the building’s orientation and the location-specific conditions represented in the assessment.
Building Fabric
Wall, roof, ceiling and floor construction details may be required together with insulation locations, material specifications and relevant thermal performance values.
Windows and Shading
Window and door schedules may need to identify opening sizes, frame and glazing systems, performance values and the relationship between glazing and proposed shading elements.
Project Context
The project description, proposed scope of work and available development, building approval or certification information can help establish the relevant assessment and documentation context.
Supporting Records
Previous energy models, NatHERS certificates, specification schedules and relevant supporting information may also be reviewed where they already exist or are required by the individual project pathway.
Document Coordination
Clear and coordinated documentation supports a more reliable assessment. The drawings, schedules and specifications should describe the same proposed construction so that the energy model and resulting ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate can be connected to an identifiable project design.
Certified Energy can review the available documents and identify any additional project information likely to be required before the assessment proceeds under its ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater scope.
Assessment Pathway
The process begins with a review of the proposed building, the available project documents and the energy efficiency certificate being requested. This establishes whether the project aligns with Certified Energy’s current plans-based service under its ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater.
The proposed building is then assessed using the applicable project information and energy efficiency pathway. Where drawings, schedules or specifications are incomplete, inconsistent or unclear, further information may be requested before the assessment and certificate can be finalised.
The precise sequence can vary according to the building type, project stage, assessment method, available supporting information and the documentation required by the project certifier.
Step 01
The project location, proposed building, project stage and requested output are reviewed against Certified Energy’s ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater and current plans-based service scope.
Step 02
Architectural drawings, construction details, glazing information, insulation specifications and available supporting records are reviewed for completeness and coordination.
Step 03
The proposed residential building is assessed from the documented design using the modelling, rating or evidence method applicable to the individual project pathway.
Step 04
Where required inputs are missing or conflict across the project documents, targeted clarification is requested from the client, architect, designer or wider project team.
Step 05
The assessment result is checked against the documented project and the energy efficiency requirements represented by the applicable assessment pathway.
Step 06
The ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate is prepared in connection with the assessed building, current project documents and supporting assessment information within Certified Energy’s Energy Rater licence scope.
Step 07
The completed certificate and relevant supporting assessment documents are issued to the client or nominated project contact for coordination with the wider building approval package.
Professional Role
Certified Energy prepares the applicable plans-based energy assessment and ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate within the scope of its ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater. The building certifier remains responsible for reviewing the documentation and administering the wider building approval process.
The energy assessment and certificate do not replace building certification, development approval or any separate statutory determination required for the project.
Project Revisions
A plans-based energy efficiency assessment is connected to the specific drawings, construction systems and project information reviewed. If the proposed design changes, the assessment may need to be checked or updated so that the ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate continues to reflect the current project.
Not every drawing amendment will necessarily affect the energy efficiency outcome. However, changes to the building envelope, orientation, glazing, insulation or other energy-relevant elements can alter the assessment inputs and potentially affect the resulting rating or supporting evidence.
Revised project documents should therefore be compared with the assessed design before the certificate or supporting assessment information is relied upon for building approval or construction coordination.
Changes that may require review include:
Building Position
Changes to the building orientation, site placement or relationship to surrounding features may affect the conditions represented in the assessment.
Building Form
Alterations to the floor area, room layout, ceiling heights, roof form or enclosing surfaces can change the geometry represented in the assessment.
Openings
Changes to opening sizes, locations, frame systems, glazing types or documented performance values may affect the assessment outcome.
Thermal Envelope
Changes to insulation levels, installation locations or the treatment of walls, roofs, ceilings and floors should be checked against the assessed design.
Construction Systems
A change in construction material, assembly type, thermal mass or building fabric specification may alter the inputs used for the assessment.
Solar Exposure
Revisions to eaves, awnings, balconies, screens or other shading elements may change how solar exposure is represented in the assessment.
Keeping the Documentation Aligned
Where changes occur after the initial assessment, the revised drawings and specifications can be reviewed to determine whether the energy model, assessment outcome or ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate requires an update.
The final certificate and supporting assessment documents should correspond with the design being submitted, certified and constructed rather than an earlier superseded version of the project.
Assessment Boundaries
ACT Energy Efficiency Certificates for new homes have a specific building approval and project-documentation function. They should not be used interchangeably with sale and lease rating statements, existing-home assessments or other residential energy pathways.
Certified Energy’s current service through this page is for applicable new residential buildings assessed from plans within the scope of its ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater.
The systems below address different documentation purposes, assessment methods, jurisdictions or stages of the residential building lifecycle.
Sale and Lease Documentation
An ACT Energy Efficiency Rating Statement is separate documentation associated with the ACT sale and lease framework. It is not the same as the Energy Efficiency Certificate prepared to support the building approval documentation for a proposed new home.
Existing Buildings
This service does not include on-site assessment of occupied or established homes for property sale, rental, disclosure, retrofit planning or upgrade advice. Home Energy Rating occupies the separate existing-home assessment and improvement territory.
Thermal Performance
NatHERS provides the residential thermal modelling and star-rating methodology that may support preparation of an ACT certificate. The 7 Star Rating explains the current new-home thermal benchmark. Neither replaces the separate ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate.
Household Energy Systems
Whole of Home assesses fixed appliances, heating and cooling systems, hot water, lighting, solar generation and batteries. It remains distinct from the ACT certificate and its building approval documentation function.
Explore Whole of Home →Other Jurisdictions and Pathways
BASIX is a New South Wales residential planning and sustainability pathway. Residential DTS and VURB are NCC energy efficiency pathways with different evidence and documentation functions. They should not be treated as substitutes for the applicable ACT certificate.
Explore BASIX →Choosing the Correct Pathway
Where the required assessment or document is unclear, the project location, building type, stage of work and building certifier’s requirements should be reviewed before the assessment pathway is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
An ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate is formal documentation prepared to support the building approval process for an applicable new building in the Australian Capital Territory.
For a new residential project, it connects the energy efficiency assessment outcome to the proposed building and the plans, specifications and supporting information reviewed.
No. A NatHERS certificate records modelling results produced through the national residential energy rating framework.
NatHERS information may support preparation of the ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate, but the ACT certificate performs a separate documentation function within the building approval pathway.
No. The Energy Efficiency Certificate described on this page supports the building approval documentation for an applicable new building.
An ACT Energy Efficiency Rating Statement is separate documentation associated with the ACT sale and lease framework. The terms should not be used interchangeably.
Certified Energy holds an ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater and provides plans-based energy efficiency assessment and certificate services for applicable new residential buildings within that licence scope.
The project location, proposed building, available documentation and requested output are reviewed before the service scope is confirmed.
The assessment may require floor plans, elevations, sections, a site plan, orientation information, construction details, insulation specifications and window or glazing schedules.
Building approval information, specification schedules, previous energy models and supporting NatHERS documentation may also be reviewed where applicable. The precise inputs depend on the individual project and assessment pathway.
The assessment can generally begin when the building form, orientation, glazing, construction systems and insulation specifications are sufficiently developed for reliable plans-based assessment.
Starting before the project documentation is treated as final provides time to resolve missing information and coordinate any assessment-related revisions.
Yes. Revised drawings and specifications can be reviewed to determine whether the energy assessment, supporting rating information or ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate requires an update.
Changes to orientation, floor area, glazing, shading, insulation or construction systems are particularly relevant because they may alter the inputs and outcome represented in the assessment.
Not through the service described on this page. Certified Energy’s current service is for applicable new residential buildings assessed from plans and project documentation.
It does not currently include on-site assessment of occupied or established homes for property sale, rental, disclosure, retrofit advice or existing-home upgrade planning.
The building certifier should confirm the energy efficiency evidence and building approval documents required for the individual project.
Certified Energy can review the available plans and project information, explain the assessment and certificate services it can provide under its ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater and identify where separate confirmation is required.
Project-Specific Requirements
The assessment method, certificate and supporting evidence can depend on the proposed building, scope of work and building approval pathway. These answers provide general project guidance and should not be treated as legal advice or as a substitute for confirmation from the building certifier or relevant ACT authority.
Related Knowledge
An ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate may draw on wider residential energy assessment information, while each rating, compliance and household-performance pathway retains a distinct project function.
Thermal Rating Framework
Understand how proposed dwellings are thermally modelled, how star ratings are calculated and how orientation, glazing, insulation, construction and climate influence the result.
Explore the NatHERS Knowledge Hub →
Current Thermal Benchmark
Review how the 7 Star benchmark sits within NatHERS and which building-envelope and design factors can influence the thermal performance of a new home.
Explore the 7 Star guide →
Household Energy Systems
Learn how fixed appliances, heating and cooling systems, hot water, lighting, solar generation and batteries contribute to broader household energy performance.
Explore Whole of Home →
Prescriptive Compliance Pathway
Understand the prescriptive NCC pathway for residential building fabric, where defined construction provisions may be used instead of a modelled performance solution.
Explore Residential DTS →
Residential Gateway
Explore residential compliance, thermal performance and household energy pathways according to the project location, dwelling type, approval stage and documentation required.
Explore the residential gateway →
ACT Energy Efficiency Certificate Project Review
Send the available architectural drawings, construction specifications, glazing information and relevant project or building approval documents for your proposed residential building in the Australian Capital Territory.
Certified Energy can review the project location, proposed building, documentation status and requested output to confirm whether the work aligns with our plans-based service under the ACT Construction Licence – Energy Rater and identify any further information likely to be required.
Current service scope: applicable new residential buildings assessed from plans and coordinated project documentation.
Last reviewed: June 2026. This page is maintained by Certified Energy as part of its Residential Compliance Knowledge Hub.
