When would I require a BASIX certificate?

When would I require a BASIX Certificate?

The development application (DA) stage of all new residential dwellings in New South Wales (NSW) requires a BASIX certificate. This applies to all new NSW dwellings that cost $50,000 or more.

The three types of residential developments include:

Single dwellings

These include: singles houses on one lot, bungalows, one part of a semi-detached home, cottages and secondary dwellings.

The three components of sustainable design used to assess single dwellings include: water usage, greenhouse gas emissions and thermal comfort.

Multi dwellings

These include: two houses on one lot, dual-occupancy dwellings, townhouses, row houses, terraces, residential flat buildings, villas, low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise multi unit developments, boarding houses, hostels, lodging houses, guest houses backpacker accommodation, shop top houses and a new principal dwelling and a new secondary dwelling such as a granny flat.

The sustainability assessment of multi dwellings also considers the factors of water, energy and thermal comfort. The assessment tool for multi dwellings, however, is better suited to larger residential developments such as for car parks and shared gardens. These all use a larger abundance of water and energy compared to single dwellings.

Alterations and additions

Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling which cost $50,000 ore more also require a BASIX certificate. A BASIX certificate can be obtained if you want to take precedence over your local council’s sustainability requirements even if your development is exempt from BASIX. This includes swimming pools and/or outdoor spas with water capacity greater than or equal to 40,000 litres or 40 kilolitres.

While the Assessment Tool for single dwellings and multi dwellings includes set reduction targets for water and energy use, the alterations and additions Assessment Tool does not have set targets.

BASIX FAQ:

What is a BASIX Certificate?
Who can issue a BASIX certificate?
How does the BASIX Certificate work during the development process?
What are the changes occurring to the BASIX Certificate in 2017?

Related BASIX Pages

BASIX Certificate Requirements
When is it required to have more than one BASIX certificate?
BASIX Certificate cost
BASIX Limitations