The Construction Occupations Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 supports more environmentally sustainable housing through the licensing and regulation of energy assessors.
Requirements for new buildings
The energy performance of a new building must be demonstrated when applying for building approval. The building certifier will need evidence that the building meets the required energy efficiency standards before approval is given.
The energy efficiency requirements for new homes in the ACT were updated in January 2024. This followed the introduction of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022. The new rules set the standard for new homes at a level equivalent to a 7-Star energy rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). NCC 2022 also introduced energy efficiency minimum requirements for key energy using appliances for the first time, setting the minimum at a score equivalent to 60 on the NatHERS Whole of Home scale. The ACT government undertook an analysis of these requirements to determine the best setting for Canberra homes, finding a score of 100 was optimal.
While this has increased building costs, homes now use 18 – 28% less energy for heating and cooling. This can save households up to $900 each year on energy bills (The Climate Council).
In May 2026, a new NCC (NCC 2025) was adopted in the ACT. This update did not make any changes to the energy efficiency requirements of NCC 2022 for homes.
Further details on broader changes in NCC are available through the National Construction Code (NCC) - City and Environment Directorate - Planning.
How NCC requirements can be demonstrated
Compliance with the minimum energy efficiency standards in the NCC for a new home or major renovation can be shown in different ways. For houses and apartments, two energy efficiency requirements must be met: H6P1 Thermal Performance and H6P2 Energy Usage.
H6P1 focuses on how well the building maintains heat inside during winter and stays cool during summer. This relates to the building shell, such as walls, roofs and windows.
H6P2 sets minimum limits for the energy costs of key appliances. These include air-conditioning, hot water systems, pool and spa pumps and lighting.
Before design and planning begin, the method for showing the building meets the NCC energy efficiency requirements is usually discussed with the designer. The following methods can be used:
- A NatHERS rating, completed using approved software by a licensed Building Assessor.
- The deemed‑to‑satisfy method, where set design features listed in H6D2(1)(b) and (2)(b) of the NCC are used. When these features are included in the building design, the energy efficiency requirements are met.
- A comparison with a reference building, using H6V2. This method uses thermal modelling software to show that the new building performs as well as a compliant reference building.
- A Performance Solution, which follows the NCC process and uses agreed checks to show the building meets energy efficiency requirements.
Requirements for existing buildings
For existing homes, an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) is required when a property is sold or leased in the ACT. This requirement has been in place since 1995.
The home’s star rating, out of 6, must be included in all sale advertisements. A copy of the EER statement must also be provided with the sale contract.
For most existing homes, this rating is calculated using FirstRate 4 (FR4). This is an older version of NatHERS software that is still used for established properties. This software measures the thermal performance of the building envelope, such as walls, roods and windows. It does not apply to appliances or solar systems.
The EER statement must be prepared by a licensed building assessor. Conveyancers can assist with finding an assessor or they can be found on the official list of licensed Building assessors.
Use of EER for sale of new residential property
In some cases, energy efficiency information can be reused when selling a new residential property in the ACT.
Under the ACT’s Construction Occupations (Licensing) Building Energy Efficiency Assessment Sale and Lease of Residential Premises Code of Practice 2024, NatHERS ratings and other energy efficiency information used to demonstrate compliance with the NCC may be used for sale disclosure in certain situations. In these cases, a separate energy rating is not required under the Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act 2003 if energy efficiency compliance has already been demonstrated for building approval.
For example, a seller may have obtained a NatHERS energy rating to show compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA). This rating may also be used for the sale of the property.
These arrangements only apply to:
- buildings sold off the plan
- newly completed buildings that have not yet been occupied
- newly renovated buildings where energy efficiency compliance was required.
Rental disclosure
If a property already has an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) Statement and the building has not been changed, the star rating must be shown when the property is advertised for rent.
Rental properties in the ACT must also meet a minimum standard of ceiling insulation. For more information see Minimum housing standard for ceiling insulation in rental properties.
NatHERS for Existing Homes
A trial of NatHERS for Existing Homes began in mid‑2025. The trial uses new NatHERS software to provide energy ratings for existing homes.
While this software is different to the NatHERS software used for new homes, the rating scale it uses aligns with that used for new homes. The new-home software is mainly used to show energy efficiency for building code standards.
At this time, a NatHERS for Existing Homes assessment cannot be used for the ACT’s Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) Disclosure Scheme. These assessments do not meet current ACT requirements for an EER statement.
The ACT Government is monitoring the trial and the wider NatHERS for Existing Homes program. The program may be considered for inclusion in ACT disclosure legislation in the future.
