Legacy Residential Scheme
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard program closed on 23 June 2026. This guide explains what the former scheme assessed and what previously issued Scorecard reports represent.
For current existing-home assessments, Certified Energy now provides Home Energy Rating services through the expanding NatHERS pathway for existing homes.
Read the Legacy GuideIn Brief
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard was a government-accredited assessment program for existing Australian homes. It rated household energy performance, considered how well a dwelling responded to hot and cold weather, and provided recommendations for improving comfort and energy efficiency.
The program closed on 23 June 2026 and new Residential Efficiency Scorecard assessments are no longer available. Reports issued before the closure remain records of the dwelling and assessment completed under the former program.
Existing-home energy assessment has continued through the expansion of NatHERS to existing dwellings. Certified Energy now provides this current pathway through its Home Energy Rating service.
The former Scorecard considered fixed household systems, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, hot- and cold-weather comfort and opportunities for improving the home.
No. The Residential Efficiency Scorecard program closed on 23 June 2026 and Certified Energy no longer provides new assessments under the former scheme.
Current existing-home assessments are provided through Home Energy Rating and the expanded NatHERS framework for existing homes.
Guide Navigation
Use this guide to understand what the former Scorecard program assessed, why it closed, what previously issued reports represent and which existing-home assessment pathway now applies.
Former Scheme
Understand the purpose of the former program and its role in assessing the performance of existing Australian homes.
Assessment Scope
See the types of household systems, energy outcomes and comfort conditions considered under the former methodology.
Program Closure
Learn how the closure of Scorecard relates to the development of a more closely aligned national rating pathway.
Current Pathway
Understand the transition to Home Energy Rating and the expanded NatHERS framework for existing homes.
Existing Reports
Understand how to interpret a report completed under the former scheme and when its acceptance may need to be confirmed.
Legacy Guidance
Find answers about the closure, former assessments, existing reports and the current assessment pathway.
Former Assessment Scope
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard examined how an existing home used energy and how well it was expected to perform during hot and cold weather. The assessment combined information about the dwelling with details of its fixed household systems.
Its purpose was to provide a consistent snapshot of the home at the time of assessment, together with practical recommendations that could help improve comfort, reduce energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
01
The assessment considered fixed systems such as heating, cooling, hot water, lighting and other installed equipment that influenced household energy use.
02
Scorecard considered how the dwelling was expected to respond during periods of heat and cold, providing an indication of seasonal comfort performance.
03
The report estimated household energy performance and associated greenhouse gas emissions under the former Scorecard methodology.
The resulting report reflected the dwelling and installed systems recorded at the time of the visit. It was not a NatHERS Home Energy Rating and should be understood as a report issued under the former Residential Efficiency Scorecard scheme.
Program Transition
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard was introduced in 2017 as an early national approach to providing energy ratings for existing homes. Its operation helped governments, assessors and households develop practical experience with in-home data collection, existing-home assessments and improvement advice.
The program closed as Australian governments progressed the next stage of existing-home energy ratings through the expansion of NatHERS. This transition moves existing-home assessments towards a framework more closely aligned with the national rating system already used for new homes and major renovations.
Scorecard was therefore not simply removed without a continuing pathway. Its experience informed the development of NatHERS for existing homes, including assessment processes, training arrangements and the way rating information is communicated to households.
2017
The program began providing a structured energy and comfort assessment for existing Australian homes.
July 2025
The first stage of NatHERS for existing homes introduced a nationally aligned pathway for assessing existing dwellings.
23 June 2026
The former program ended as existing-home rating activity continued through the expanding NatHERS framework.
The important distinction: the closure ended the Residential Efficiency Scorecard program and its assessment methodology. It did not end the development or availability of energy ratings for existing homes.
Current Assessment Pathway
Following the closure of the Residential Efficiency Scorecard, existing-home energy ratings continued through the expansion of NatHERS to existing dwellings. This created a more closely aligned national framework for assessing homes that have already been built.
Certified Energy provides this current pathway through its Home Energy Rating service. It is the appropriate starting point for homeowners, property professionals and organisations seeking a new energy assessment of an existing dwelling.
Home Energy Rating is not simply a new name for Scorecard. The two pathways use different assessment methodologies, rating structures, assessor arrangements and reporting processes.
Former Pathway
A separate assessment and advice program for existing homes that considered household energy performance, fixed systems and hot- and cold-weather comfort.
The program closed on 23 June 2026 and no new Scorecard assessments are available.
Current Pathway
Certified Energy’s current existing-home assessment service, delivered through the expanded NatHERS framework for existing dwellings.
This is the relevant pathway for clients seeking a new assessment rather than information about the former Scorecard program or an older report.
Which Resource Should You Use?
Continue using this legacy guide when researching the former Scorecard program or interpreting a previously issued report. For a new assessment of an existing home, visit the Home Energy Rating Knowledge Hub.
For a direct side-by-side explanation of how the former and current pathways differ, read Home Energy Rating vs Residential Efficiency Scorecard.
Previously Issued Assessments
A Residential Efficiency Scorecard report remains a record of the dwelling, fixed household systems and assessment conditions documented when the assessment was completed. It reflects the former Scorecard methodology and the information available to the assessor at that time.
The report does not automatically update when the home changes. Renovations, insulation upgrades, replacement appliances, new heating or cooling systems, solar installation or other alterations may mean that the recorded rating no longer represents the dwelling’s current performance.
Because the Scorecard program has closed, a previously issued report should not be treated as a current Home Energy Rating or as evidence that the dwelling has been assessed under the expanded NatHERS framework.
Historical Record
The report records the assessment outcome, household systems and improvement recommendations identified under the former scheme.
Current Condition
Later renovations, system replacements and energy upgrades may not be reflected in the original assessment or rating.
External Acceptance
Acceptance for finance, rebate, disclosure, valuation or administrative purposes should be confirmed with the organisation requesting the report.
When a New Assessment May Be Appropriate
Where the home has changed materially, or where a current rating is required, the appropriate next step is a new assessment through the applicable existing-home pathway rather than an update to the former Scorecard report. See the Home Energy Rating Knowledge Hub for current service information.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Residential Efficiency Scorecard program closed on 23 June 2026. New assessments can no longer be completed or issued under the former scheme.
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard was a government-accredited assessment program for existing homes. It considered household energy performance, fixed systems, greenhouse gas emissions and how well the dwelling was expected to perform during hot and cold weather.
The program closed as existing-home energy ratings continued through the expansion of NatHERS to existing dwellings. Experience gained through Scorecard helped inform the development of the newer national assessment pathway.
Current existing-home energy assessments are continuing through NatHERS for existing homes. Certified Energy provides this current pathway through its Home Energy Rating service.
No. Home Energy Rating operates through the expanded NatHERS framework for existing homes. Although the newer pathway was informed by experience gained through Scorecard, it uses a different methodology, rating structure and reporting process.
A previously issued Scorecard report remains a record of the dwelling and assessment completed under the former program. Whether it can be accepted for finance, rebate, disclosure, valuation or another administrative purpose should be confirmed with the organisation requesting the information.
Not necessarily. The report reflects the dwelling and fixed household systems recorded when the assessment was completed. Renovations, insulation upgrades, replacement appliances, new heating or cooling systems, solar installation or other changes may mean that the original report no longer represents the home in its current condition.
No. The Residential Efficiency Scorecard and the ACT Energy Efficiency Rating Disclosure Scheme are separate programs with different methodologies, certificates and administrative requirements. A Scorecard report should not be treated as an ACT EER statement.
For a new assessment of an existing dwelling, refer to Certified Energy’s Home Energy Rating service rather than the former Residential Efficiency Scorecard program.
No. Certified Energy no longer provides assessments under the closed Residential Efficiency Scorecard program. The information on this page is retained as a historical scheme guide and transition resource.
Continue with Current Pathways
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard is now a former assessment scheme. These related Knowledge Hubs explain the current existing-home assessment pathway, the wider NatHERS framework and how operational energy is considered within residential ratings.
Explore the current Certified Energy assessment pathway for understanding the performance of an existing home.
Explore Home Energy Rating
Understand the national residential energy rating framework and its application to new and existing homes.
Explore NatHERS
Learn how fixed household systems, energy use and on-site generation contribute to residential operational performance.
Explore Whole of Home
Current Assessment Pathway
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard program has closed and new assessments are no longer available under the former scheme. Certified Energy now provides existing-home assessments through its Home Energy Rating service and the expanded NatHERS pathway for existing homes.
Send the available property information, photographs, plans or relevant assessment requirements for an initial review. We can help identify the appropriate current pathway for the dwelling and the intended use of the rating.
Last reviewed: June 2026. This page is maintained by Certified Energy as part of its Residential Performance Knowledge Hub.
