NatHERS Energy Rating Certificate (Thermal Comfort Assessment)
A certificate issued by an accredited NatHERS assessor confirming a new home's thermal performance star rating and Whole of Home energy score, required under NCC 2022 before a building permit can be granted for Class 1 and Class 2 residential buildings.
Issuing authority
NatHERS National Administrator (DCCEEW) via accredited NatHERS Assessors
Official source
nathers.gov.auCost
$400–$1,500 (assessor market rate; no separate government certificate fee)
How to apply
- Confirm your project is subject to NCC 2022 energy efficiency provisions (all new Class 1/Class 2 residential buildings require a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating)
- Provide your architect or designer's floor plans, specifications, window schedules, and insulation details to a NatHERS accredited assessor
- Find an accredited assessor via the NatHERS Assessor Register at nathers.gov.au/Assessor-Register
- The assessor inputs your building data into NatHERS-accredited simulation software (e.g. AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5) to model heating and cooling loads
- Review the preliminary star rating — if below 7 stars (or Whole of Home below 60 for Class 1), work with your designer to improve insulation, glazing, orientation, or shading
- Once compliant, the assessor generates and issues the official NatHERS Certificate showing the thermal star rating and Whole of Home score
- Provide the certificate to your building surveyor or certifier as part of the building permit application
- Retain the certificate; it may need to be re-issued if significant design changes are made after assessment
Related topics
NatHERS certificateenergy rating certificatethermal comfort assessment7 star energy ratingwhole of home ratingNCC 2022 energy efficiencybuilding permit energyaccredited energy assessorresidential energy ratingstar rating new homehome energy assessmentNatHERS accredited assessorDCCEEW energy certificateClass 1 Class 2 energy
Related forms
- Building Permit Application (Multi-state: VIC Form 1 / WA BA1 & BA2 / QLD Building Approval / NSW Development Application)VIC: Form 1 (Application for a Building Permit); NSW: DA form via NSW Planning Portal; QLD: No fixed form number — lodged with private certifier or council; WA: BA1 (certified) / BA2 (uncertified)
- Occupancy Permit / Occupation Certificate (Multi-state: VIC Form 15/16 / NSW OC / QLD Form 11)VIC: Form 15 (Application for Occupancy Permit) + Form 16 (Occupancy Permit); NSW: Occupation Certificate (no fixed form number — lodged via NSW Planning Portal); QLD: Form 11 (Certificate/Interim Certificate of Occupancy, replacing certificate of classification from October 2020)
- Owner-Builder Permit / Licence — QLD, WA, SA, ACT and NTQLD: Owner-Builder Permit Application Form (form-ob-permit-application.pdf); WA: Form 75 (Approval — Owner-builder, updated; old version invalid from 1 June 2026); SA: CBS Online Form (via cbs.sa.gov.au/online-forms); ACT: Application for Construction Occupation Licence — Individual Owner Builder (forms.act.gov.au form code 1166); NT: Owner Builder Application Form (bpb.nt.gov.au)
- Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) Certificate of Insurance — NSW / Domestic Building Insurance Certificate — VIC / Home Indemnity Insurance Certificate — WA / QBCC Home Warranty Insurance
- Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) — NSW
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