Building Energy Efficiency Rating (BEEC)

A Building Energy Efficiency Certificate or BEEC sets out the building energy rating for a building that is offered for sale, lease, or sublease. It consists of: 

1. A National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy for offices rating 
2. A CBD Tenancy Lighting Assessment (TLA) 

NABERS stands for National Australian Built Environment Rating System Energy for offices rating for the disclosure affected building. It is an energy efficiency rating system for commercial buildings that includes a star rating and details about annual building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. 

TLA means Tenancy Lighting Assessment, a part of the BEEC that: (a) measures the power density of the general lighting system in office areas, and (b) describes the capacity of lighting control systems installed in a space occupied by a tenant.  

The BEEC provides building owners, buyers, and tenants with energy efficiency information that can guide them in reducing energy bills and improving environmental performance. It also: 

• Supports the government’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate change goals 
• Helps in determining the value of a building 
• Helps improve the marketability of a building 
• Increases awareness of energy use 
• Can show potential improvement areas 
• Improves transparency and accountability for building energy performance 

The BEEC is a requirement for sellers and lessors before advertising or offering office space from 1000 square metres and up for sale, lease or sublease. 

You can follow this process for obtaining a BEEC: 

1. Check with the Building Energy Efficiency Register if your building already has a BEEC. 
2. Find a CBD accredited assessor to do the assessments and apply for a BEEC. 
3. Gather the required information and documents. 
4. The CBD assessor performs the assessment. 
5. The CBD assessor submits the BEEC application online. 
6. Upon approval, an electronic BEEC is emailed to the assessor and added to the Building Energy Efficiency Register. 

The entire process generally takes eight weeks. 

A BEEC is valid for up to 12 months. 

No fee is charged for processing BEEC applications. The cost is in the actual assessment and can be negotiated with an assessor. 

An owner or lessor who does not obtain a BEEC can face penalties and fines. Not having a BEEC can turn away prospective tenants, investors, and buyers.