NatHERS Compliance
NatHERS and NCC Compliance
NatHERS is one of the main ways Australian residential projects demonstrate thermal performance for energy compliance. It connects the home’s design, building fabric and local climate to the requirements set under the National Construction Code.
NatHERS and NCC compliance in brief
NatHERS is commonly used to demonstrate the thermal performance part of residential energy compliance under the National Construction Code. It produces a star rating that shows how much heating and cooling the home is predicted to need in its local climate. Under current NCC energy efficiency settings, many new homes need to address both a thermal performance requirement and Whole of Home energy requirements.
What the NCC does
The National Construction Code sets minimum building requirements across Australia. For residential projects, this includes requirements that relate to energy efficiency, building fabric performance and the way a new home responds to heating and cooling demand.
The NCC does not design the home. It sets the performance framework that the home needs to satisfy. NatHERS is one of the assessment pathways commonly used to show that the home’s thermal performance meets the relevant energy efficiency requirement.
Because the NCC is implemented through state and territory systems, project teams still need to confirm the exact requirement that applies to the project location, approval timing and pathway.
What NatHERS does
NatHERS assesses the thermal performance of a home design. It uses accredited software to model the dwelling, its construction details and its local climate, then estimates how much heating and cooling the home may need to remain comfortable.
The result is a thermal star rating out of 10. A higher star rating generally means the home is predicted to need less heating and cooling. This rating can then support the residential energy compliance pathway for the project.
For the broader explanation of how the assessment works, see our guide to how NatHERS works.
The practical point
The NCC sets the residential energy performance requirement.
NatHERS is one of the main ways a project can demonstrate the thermal performance part of that requirement.
How 7 Star requirements fit in
For many current new homes, the thermal compliance conversation is closely connected to a 7 Star NatHERS rating or equivalent pathway. A 7 Star result generally indicates stronger thermal performance than the older 6 Star benchmark.
A 7 Star rating is not only a product specification. It depends on the whole design, including orientation, glazing, shading, insulation, roof colour, floor construction, thermal mass, local climate and room layout.
For a more focused explanation, see our guide to what a 7 Star NatHERS rating means.
How Whole of Home fits in
NCC residential energy compliance is not only about the thermal star rating. Current settings also include a Whole of Home energy component, which looks more broadly at the home’s fixed appliances, energy systems, solar and batteries where applicable.
The NatHERS thermal star rating focuses on the heating and cooling demand created by the building fabric. Whole of Home looks at the wider energy profile of the dwelling. Both can be relevant to the overall compliance pathway.
For a detailed distinction, see our guide to NatHERS vs Whole of Home.
The compliance picture usually includes:
• The project location and relevant jurisdiction
• The applicable NCC version and transition timing
• The building class and project type
• The NatHERS thermal star rating pathway
• Whole of Home requirements where applicable
• State based systems such as BASIX in NSW
How BASIX fits in for NSW projects
In NSW, residential sustainability compliance is commonly managed through BASIX. NatHERS modelling may be used to support the thermal performance component of the BASIX pathway.
This means a NSW project may involve both BASIX and NatHERS, but they are not the same thing. BASIX is the NSW certificate pathway. NatHERS is the thermal performance modelling method that may sit behind part of that pathway.
For a clearer comparison, see our guide to NatHERS vs BASIX.
Why project timing matters
Residential energy requirements have changed over time. Some projects may still refer to older 6 Star expectations because of approval timing, transitional arrangements or legacy documentation. Many current new projects need to consider 7 Star or equivalent requirements and Whole of Home settings.
This is why project timing matters. A project lodged under one pathway may not have the same requirements as a new project being prepared under later settings. State and territory adoption dates can also affect which rules apply.
For this reason, project teams should confirm the applicable pathway before assuming which star rating, certificate or software version is required.
Common misunderstanding
NatHERS, NCC, BASIX and Whole of Home are related, but they are not interchangeable.
Each one plays a different role in the residential energy compliance pathway.
Why design decisions affect compliance
NatHERS is not a paperwork exercise separate from the design. The rating is shaped by the home itself. Orientation, glazing, shading, insulation, roof colour, floor construction, air leakage assumptions and climate response can all affect whether the home meets the required thermal pathway.
If the home does not meet the required rating, design changes may be needed. These could include improved glazing, revised window sizes, better shading, insulation changes, roof colour adjustments or construction detail updates.
This is why early review can be valuable. It helps identify thermal performance issues before the project is fully documented, costed or submitted.
Information usually needed for NatHERS compliance
The NatHERS assessment depends on clear project documentation. The assessor needs enough information to model the home accurately and align the result with the compliance pathway.
Useful information includes:
• Architectural plans, elevations and sections
• Site location and orientation
• Wall, roof, ceiling and floor construction details
• Insulation values and locations
• Window and door schedules, glazing and frame performance
• Shading details such as eaves, awnings, balconies and screens
• Roof colour, floor coverings and other thermal performance details where known
For a focused checklist, see our guide to what information is needed for a NatHERS assessment.
Design considerations for Australian homes
NCC compliance should be considered as part of the design process, not only at the end. Thermal performance is shaped early by orientation, window placement, room layout, roof form and construction choices.
Where performance is left late, the project may need to rely on specification upgrades or design changes that could have been avoided through earlier review. This can affect cost, timing and documentation consistency.
The strongest pathway is usually a coordinated one: a home that is designed for its climate, modelled accurately and documented clearly for approval and construction.
Working with Certified Energy
Certified Energy provides NatHERS assessments for new homes, townhouses and multi residential projects across Australia. Our team can review the project documentation, model the design and help identify the thermal performance pathway required for the project.
Where relevant, we can help connect NatHERS with related requirements including BASIX, 7 Star Rating, 6 Star NatHERS and Whole of Home.
For the broader framework, visit our NatHERS Knowledge Hub.
FAQ
How does NatHERS relate to NCC compliance?
NatHERS is commonly used to demonstrate the thermal performance component of residential energy efficiency compliance under the National Construction Code.
Does the NCC require 7 Star NatHERS?
NCC 2022 introduced a minimum 7 star thermal performance requirement or equivalent for many new homes, together with Whole of Home energy requirements. Exact implementation depends on the state or territory and project pathway.
Is NatHERS the same as NCC compliance?
No. NatHERS is an assessment pathway used to support residential energy compliance. The NCC is the national code that sets building requirements, including energy efficiency requirements.
How does Whole of Home relate to NCC compliance?
Whole of Home addresses the broader annual energy use budget for the dwelling, including major fixed appliances, solar and batteries where applicable. It sits alongside the thermal star rating pathway.
When should NatHERS be considered for NCC compliance?
NatHERS should be considered before the design is fully locked in. Early review gives the project team more flexibility to resolve glazing, insulation, shading, orientation and other thermal performance details.
