NABERS Energy Rating

NABERS is the acronym for National Australian Built Environment Rating System. It is an energy efficiency rating scheme for commercial buildings, with a star rating and details about annual building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. 

You need a NABERS rating certification if your building is more than 1,000 square meters and being put for sale or lease. You may want to have a NABERS rating to guide you in improving your building’s energy efficiency, help increase your property’s value, possibly reduce your operating cost, and enhance your business reputation. 

Contact us today for help with obtaining a NABERS rating certification. 

The NABERS rating certification is part of the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Scheme, which requires it for office buildings over 1,000 square meters that are being sold or leased. Aside from compliance, you may apply for a rating certification to reduce energy and water consumption, save on utility bills, improve indoor air quality, increase property value, and attract and retain tenants. 

A NABERS Rating is calculated based on rating inputs that depend on the rating type and rating scope. For example, the inputs for a base building rating of an office building are address, postcode, rated area, rated hours, and annual energy consumption (electricity and gas/fuel use). For the complete table of inputs, refer to the Estimating NABERS ratings handbook. To get an idea of your NABERS rating, you could estimate it using the calculators at https://www.nabers.gov.au/our-calculators/estimate-your-rating. 

The star ratings represent the following: 

⭐= Making a start 

⭐⭐ = Below Average (opportunities for upgrades) 

⭐⭐⭐ = Average (market standards) 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Good (high performance) 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Excellent (superior Performance) 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Market Leader 

A high NABERS rating means your building uses less energy and contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, you save on energy bills, the value of your building increases, current tenants are increasingly satisfied, and it will be easier to attract new tenants. 

Getting a NABERS rating starts with finding a qualified NABERS assessor. They will ask you to gather your energy consumption data and use those to calculate your rating. The assessor will then lodge your information and remit your payment to the NABERS Technical Team. Wait for your rating to be certified.  

The exact timeline depends on your building’s size and complexity, but it typically spans 2 to 4 weeks from engagement to receiving your rating. 

Consult a registered assessor to determine what information will be needed. You may be required to prepare 12 months of bills for all energy consumption sources, layout plans, lease documents, computer count, occupancy hours, renewable energy information, and related information. 

The cost of getting a NABERS rating includes the lodgement fee and the assessor’s fee. For details, go to https://www.nabers.gov.au/ratings/pricing. The size, type, and location of your building may affect the cost of a NABERS rating. To get one at a lower cost, check if the discounts and offers in the NABERS website applies to your building. 

In some jurisdictions, buildings are required to achieve a certain NABERS rating. For example, in New South Wales, all office buildings over 2,000 square meters must achieve a minimum NABERS rating of 3 stars. A NABERS rating can also be utilised as a pathway to achieving compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC). 

Aside from compliance, there are some incentives for buildings to receive a NABERS rating, including: government grants, government loans, tax breaks, increased property value, and improved tenant satisfaction. 

NABERS ratings are valid for twelve months from the issue date. It is recommended to renew your rating every year to track and showcase your sustainability efforts. 

NABERS offers invaluable insights into potential improvement areas, enabling you to implement changes and lift your rating in future evaluations.