Commercial Energy Compliance · Section J

Section J Express Lighting Assessment

Focused Section J lighting power and controls assessment for eligible commercial fit-outs, alterations and lighting packages.

Send us your lighting and project documents. We’ll confirm whether a lighting-only assessment is appropriate or whether a broader Section J assessment is required.

Lighting plans, luminaire schedules and control details are usually enough for an initial review.

Express Lighting Scope Review

Start with the lighting and project documents you already have.

Certified Energy can review the proposed works, available lighting information and any certifier or authority comments before confirming the appropriate assessment scope.

Where the project also requires assessment of building fabric, glazing, sealing, HVAC or other NCC energy-efficiency provisions, a full Section J assessment may be required instead.

Useful documents for the initial review

Architectural or tenancy plans
Lighting layout and luminaire schedule
Available switching and control information
Relevant certifier, authority or consultant comments

Request a Section J Express Lighting quote

Upload your available lighting and project documents. Our team will review the proposed works and confirm whether a focused lighting-only assessment or a full Section J assessment is the appropriate next step.

Lighting layouts, luminaire schedules, control details and basic project plans are usually enough for an initial review. If further information is required, our team will let you know.

Lighting-Only Eligibility

Is a lighting-only Section J assessment appropriate for your project?

Some commercial fit-outs, alterations and separately documented lighting packages may have a clearly defined scope limited to artificial lighting power and applicable lighting controls.

Eligibility depends on the approval scope, available documentation and how any other applicable Section J requirements are being addressed. Building type alone does not determine whether a lighting-only assessment is sufficient.

Focused lighting assessment

The assessment reviews the proposed artificial lighting load, illumination power density and applicable lighting-control provisions within the confirmed project scope.

Scope must be confirmed

Certified Energy reviews the proposed works, lighting documentation and relevant certifier or authority comments before confirming whether the focused service is appropriate.

Not a full Section J Report

A lighting-only assessment does not replace a full Section J assessment where building fabric, glazing, sealing, HVAC or other NCC energy-efficiency provisions also apply.

Landing Page 1

Focused Lighting Assessment

What does a Section J Express Lighting Assessment cover?

Section J Express Lighting is a limited-scope assessment of artificial lighting power and applicable lighting controls. The assessment considers the relevant NCC edition and jurisdiction, room uses, floor areas, proposed lighting loads and documented control strategy within the confirmed project scope.

Artificial lighting power

Review of the proposed connected lighting load for the rooms and spaces included within the confirmed assessment scope.

Illumination power density

Comparison of the proposed connected lighting load with the applicable permitted lighting allowance for each assessed area.

Room and space classification

Review of room names, intended uses and floor areas used to determine the relevant lighting assessment inputs.

Adjustment factors

Application of relevant adjustment factors where permitted and supported by the submitted lighting documentation.

Switching and controls

Assessment of applicable switching zones, occupancy controls, time switches and daylight controls where relevant.

Other applicable lighting

Decorative, display, façade or exterior lighting provisions may also be reviewed where they form part of the confirmed project scope.

Scope Boundaries

What is outside the assessment scope?

Section J Express Lighting is limited to the confirmed lighting power and controls scope. It does not provide complete Section J compliance, lighting design, functional lighting analysis or electrical certification.

Full Section J assessment

The service does not include assessment of building fabric, roofs, walls, floors, glazing, sealing, HVAC, heated water, energy monitoring or other applicable Section J provisions.

Lighting and lux design

It does not select luminaires, develop architectural lighting effects or confirm lux levels, uniformity, glare, colour rendering, ambience or detailed fixture positioning.

Emergency and electrical compliance

Emergency lighting, exit signage, egress compliance, electrical circuit design, installation requirements and electrical certification sit outside this assessment.

JV3 or whole-building modelling

Express Lighting is not a whole-building Performance Solution, a simplified JV3 assessment or a separate alternative pathway to the applicable Section J requirements.

TLA and BEEC assessments

It is not a Tenancy Lighting Assessment prepared for a Building Energy Efficiency Certificate or the Commercial Building Disclosure program.

Where other NCC energy-efficiency provisions apply, the project may require a full Section J assessment.

Explore the full Section J assessment service

Documents and Process

What information is required for the assessment?

Clear project and lighting documentation helps Certified Energy confirm the assessment scope and complete the relevant lighting compliance calculations. Preliminary documents can be reviewed first, with any missing information identified before the assessment proceeds.

Project and scope information

Project address and jurisdiction
Building, tenancy or space use
Description of the proposed works
Current design or approval stage
Relevant certifier or authority comments
Information about how any remaining Section J requirements are being addressed, where relevant

Lighting documentation

Architectural or tenancy plans
Room names, uses and floor areas
Lighting layout and fixture quantities
Luminaire schedule and input wattages
Switching and control zones
Occupancy sensors, time switches and daylight-control details where relevant

How the assessment works

Send the documents

Upload the available project plans, lighting layout, luminaire schedule and control information.

Confirm the scope

Certified Energy reviews the proposed works and confirms whether a lighting-only assessment is appropriate.

Assess the lighting

The proposed lighting load, applicable allowances, adjustment factors and relevant controls are assessed.

Receive the assessment

You receive the focused lighting compliance assessment, including the confirmed scope, applicable calculations, compliance outcome and any required lighting-related actions.

Timing depends on the confirmed scope, project complexity and completeness of the submitted information. If further details are required, our team will identify them during the document review.

Choosing the Right Scope

Express Lighting or a full Section J assessment?

The appropriate service depends on the project scope and which NCC energy-efficiency provisions need to be addressed. Express Lighting suits a confirmed lighting-only scope, while a full Section J assessment addresses the broader applicable requirements.

Focused Subservice

Section J Express Lighting

For eligible projects where artificial lighting power and applicable lighting controls can be assessed as a clearly defined compliance package.

Confirmed lighting-only scope
Lighting power and illumination power density
Applicable switching and control provisions
Focused lighting compliance assessment

Broader Compliance Assessment

Full Section J Assessment

For projects requiring assessment or coordination of lighting together with other applicable commercial energy-efficiency provisions.

Building fabric and insulation
Glazing, façade performance and sealing
HVAC and other applicable building services
Broader Section J compliance documentation

You do not need to determine the correct service before contacting us. Send the available documents and Certified Energy will confirm the appropriate assessment scope.

Explore the full Section J assessment service

For broader guidance on applicability and compliance pathways, visit the Section J Knowledge Hub .

Frequently Asked Questions

Section J Express Lighting FAQs

Common questions about lighting-only eligibility, documentation and assessment boundaries.

What is a Section J lighting assessment?

A Section J lighting assessment reviews the proposed artificial lighting power, illumination power density and applicable lighting-control provisions under the NCC requirements relevant to the project.

Is an Express Lighting Assessment a full Section J Report?

No. It addresses only the confirmed lighting scope. It does not replace a full Section J assessment where building fabric, glazing, sealing, HVAC or other applicable energy-efficiency provisions also require assessment.

Which projects may be suitable for a lighting-only assessment?

Some commercial tenancy fit-outs, retail or office fit-outs, selected alterations, industrial projects and separately documented lighting packages may be suitable. Eligibility depends on the approval scope and project documentation rather than the building type alone.

What lighting information is required?

Typical information includes architectural or tenancy plans, room uses and floor areas, the lighting layout, luminaire quantities and input wattages, and details of the proposed switching and control systems.

Does the assessment include lux calculations?

No. Section J lighting compliance assesses energy-use limits and applicable controls. It does not by itself confirm lux levels, uniformity, glare, colour rendering or other functional and visual lighting-design requirements.

Does the assessment include emergency lighting?

No. Emergency lighting, exit signage, egress requirements and associated electrical certification sit outside the scope of a Section J Express Lighting Assessment.

Are lighting controls assessed?

Yes, where relevant to the applicable NCC provisions. This may include switching zones, occupancy or motion controls, time switches, daylight controls and controls associated with exterior, display or decorative lighting.

Who confirms whether a lighting-only scope is sufficient?

Certified Energy can review the available documentation and advise whether a focused lighting-only assessment appears appropriate. The assessment scope and evidence should also align with the requirements of the relevant certifier or approval authority.

Section J Express Lighting Project Review

Confirm whether your project suits a lighting-only assessment

Send your lighting layout, luminaire schedule, project plans and any relevant certifier or authority comments. Certified Energy will review the available information and confirm the appropriate assessment scope before work begins.

Send Lighting Documents