10 min read

BASIX for Apartments and Residential Flat Buildings in NSW

By Team CE on Jun 7, 2026 9:51:45 AM

Apartment buildings and residential flat buildings in NSW generally need BASIX as part of the residential approval pathway. These projects can be more complex than single dwellings or townhouse rows because the assessment may need to include many apartments, different dwelling types, common areas, central services, lifts, shared gardens, car parks, pools, spas and building-wide energy and water systems.

Topics: BASIX NatHERS 7 Star Homes BASIX Certificates NatHERS Existing Homes
11 min read

BASIX for Townhouses and Multi Dwelling Housing in NSW

By Team CE on Jun 7, 2026 9:50:11 AM

BASIX for Townhouses and Multi Dwelling Housing in NSW

Townhouses, villas and other multi dwelling housing projects in NSW generally need BASIX as part of the residential approval pathway. These projects can be more complex than a single dwelling because the assessment may need to account for multiple homes, different orientations, shared walls, common areas, central services, private gardens and shared infrastructure.

Topics: BASIX NatHERS 7 Star Homes BASIX Certificates NatHERS Existing Homes
10 min read

BASIX for Dual Occupancies in NSW

By Team CE on Jun 7, 2026 9:48:40 AM

Dual occupancy projects in NSW generally need BASIX as part of the residential approval pathway. A dual occupancy may be attached or detached, and it may involve two dwellings on one lot, future subdivision, shared services or separate dwelling arrangements. Because there is more than one dwelling involved, the BASIX assessment often needs more careful coordination than a single dwelling project.

Topics: BASIX NatHERS 7 Star Homes BASIX Certificates NatHERS Existing Homes
11 min read

Rainwater Tanks and BASIX: When Are They Needed?

By Team CE on Jun 7, 2026 9:43:26 AM

Rainwater tanks can be an important part of BASIX water compliance for NSW residential projects. They may help reduce potable water demand by supplying alternative water for uses such as garden irrigation, toilet flushing, laundry or pool top-up, depending on the project and how the tank is connected.

Topics: BASIX NatHERS 7 Star Homes BASIX Certificates NatHERS Existing Homes
9 min read

Solar Panels and BASIX: When Do They Help?

By Team CE on Jun 7, 2026 9:41:53 AM

Solar panels can help with BASIX energy compliance in NSW because they reduce the net energy impact of a residential project. In BASIX, solar photovoltaic systems are treated as an alternative energy source. When the project has suitable roof space, good solar access and clear documentation, solar PV can support the energy section of the BASIX Certificate.

Topics: BASIX NatHERS 7 Star Homes BASIX Certificates NatHERS Existing Homes
10 min read

BASIX Hot Water Systems: What Should You Choose?

By Team CE on Jun 7, 2026 9:38:05 AM

Hot water systems can have a significant effect on BASIX energy compliance in NSW residential projects. The system you choose can influence the BASIX energy score, the commitments shown on the BASIX Certificate and the way the project is documented for approval and construction.

Topics: BASIX NatHERS 7 Star Homes BASIX Certificates NatHERS Existing Homes
11 min read

BASIX Insulation Requirements Explained

By Team CE on Jun 7, 2026 9:36:35 AM

Insulation is one of the most important parts of BASIX and NatHERS thermal comfort assessment. It affects how quickly heat moves through the building fabric, including walls, roofs, ceilings and floors. Good insulation can help reduce unwanted heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, which can improve heating and cooling loads and support a stronger BASIX outcome.

Topics: BASIX NatHERS 7 Star Homes BASIX Certificates NatHERS Existing Homes
32 min read

BASIX and Whole of Home NSW: How They Work Together

By Team CE on Jun 6, 2026 3:52:40 PM

Residential energy assessment now considers more than the thermal performance of the building envelope. Heating and cooling systems, hot water, lighting, cooking, pool equipment and onsite renewable energy can all influence the wider performance of a new home.

NatHERS Whole of Home was developed nationally to represent this broader energy picture. In New South Wales, however, residential approval continues to operate through BASIX, which has its own Energy score, project commitments and Certificate.

The two systems are related, but they are not interchangeable. Understanding the boundary between the NatHERS thermal star rating, the Whole of Home rating and the BASIX Energy result helps prevent incorrect assumptions during design, documentation and certification.

Topics: BASIX Whole-of-Home Residential Energy Performance
24 min read

BASIX and 7 Star NatHERS in NSW | Certified Energy

By Team CE on Jun 6, 2026 3:45:37 PM

NSW Residential Compliance Guide

BASIX is the NSW residential sustainability framework. Where the BASIX Simulation method applies, NatHERS modelling can be used to demonstrate the dwelling’s thermal-performance outcome against the applicable BASIX targets.

 

BASIX and NatHERS are often discussed together on NSW residential projects, but they are not interchangeable systems. BASIX is the state-based assessment and submission framework. NatHERS is a national residential energy-rating framework that can be used within one of the BASIX thermal-performance methods.

Under the Simulation method, an accredited assessor models the proposed dwelling using approved NatHERS software. The resulting star rating and heating and cooling loads are then used to support completion of the BASIX thermal-performance section.

This guide focuses specifically on how the BASIX thermal pathway and the 7 Star NatHERS benchmark relate. For the complete NSW submission process, certificate requirements and wider water, energy and materials commitments, see the BASIX submission guide.

Topics: BASIX 7 Star Homes Residential Energy Performance
15 min read

BASIX vs Section J: Which One Applies?

By Team CE on Jun 6, 2026 3:21:20 PM

NSW Building Compliance

BASIX vs Section J: Which One Applies to Your Project?

BASIX and Section J both relate to building performance and approval documentation, but they apply to different parts of the Australian building compliance system.

Topics: Section J BASIX NSW Building Compliance Mixed-Use Developments