How is Passive House different from NatHERS?

Short answer

NatHERS is an Australian star rating system, while Passive House is an international performance standard with stricter energy efficiency targets.

Full answer

NatHERS rates homes from 0 to 10 stars based on predicted thermal performance, whereas Passive House sets absolute limits on energy demand for heating, cooling and overall performance. NatHERS focuses on compliance with Australian regulations, while Passive House ensures a home meets globally recognised benchmarks for comfort, energy use and air quality. Both approaches improve energy efficiency, but Passive House delivers greater performance certainty and resilience.

Why this matters

Clients often confuse the two systems. Understanding the difference helps you decide whether to aim for Australian compliance (NatHERS) or international certification (Passive House) or pursue both.

How Certified Energy can help

We provide both NatHERS assessments and Passive House consulting. This allows us to advise on the best compliance and performance pathway for your project based on budget, goals and council requirements.

Related regulations

• Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)
• Passive House Institute Standard
• NCC Section J and Residential Energy Efficiency provisions

Helpful resources

• What is a Passive House?
• How much does it cost to build a Passive House?
• What are the benefits of Passive House design?
• Do all Passive Houses need certification?