A BASIX Certificate records the sustainability commitments attached to a proposed residential development in New South Wales. It identifies the project, summarises the assessment results and sets out the water, energy, thermal-performance and materials measures that need to be reflected in the approval documentation and completed during construction.

The Certificate is not a record of the home’s actual future water use or energy bills. It is based on the proposed design and nominated systems. Its commitments describe how the development must be documented and built for the assessed result to remain valid.

The exact format and number of commitments vary according to the project type, assessment pathway and selected design measures. A new dwelling using NatHERS simulation may contain more detailed construction and glazing information than a smaller alteration with a limited assessment scope.

A BASIX consultant reviews a proposed residential development, identifies the appropriate assessment pathway and prepares the information needed to generate a BASIX Certificate for a New South Wales planning or approval application.

The role can include reviewing architectural plans, entering water and energy information, coordinating the thermal-performance assessment, testing practical design changes and checking that the resulting BASIX commitments are consistent with the project documentation.

A BASIX consultant does not approve the development or replace the architect, engineer, builder or certifying authority. The consultant’s role is to prepare and coordinate the sustainability assessment information required for the proposed residential project.