National Australian Built Environment Rating System
NABERS is a 0 to 6 star rating system indicating the environmental impact of Australian buildings, tenancies and homes. This is a national initiative managed by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). OEH operates the scheme on behalf of federal, state and territory governments.
Types of commercial NABERS assessments ratings include: offices and buildings (whole building, base building, tenancy); hotels; shopping centres; data centres – and others.
Why undertake a NABERS assessment
Save costs. NABERS involves an assessment of performance information, such as utility bills. Our Energy Audit may be an essential step in the process (see below – Two ways to go about an assessment). Identifying and implementing efficiencies results in cost savings for property owners and building tenants, as well as a higher NABERS rating.
For integrity, and a better place to work. Commercial buildings with high NABERS ratings signal quality work environments and a recognised commitment to sustainability.
Compliance. NABERS is a voluntary initiative, but may be required under certain schemes, such as the Federal Government’s Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD). This is a national scheme providing information for potential buyers or tenants. NABERS is mandatory under the following conditions:
When leasing to the government, the base building must have a 4.5 stars or higher NABERS Energy rating.
When leasing, sub leasing or selling commercial office spaces over 2,000 m2.
Our NABERS and CBD assessor
Our accredited NABERS assessors can perform a rating of your building’s energy efficiency, water usage, waste management, and the quality of your office’s indoor environment. Almost 70% of office space in Australia has a NABERS Energy rating. Building owners now use the system to track performance with a strong outcome: 9% improvement in energy efficiency, and almost 350,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reduced per year. NABERS Water has similar results.
Two ways to go about it
- An Energy Audit followed by a NABERS assessment.
Undertake an Energy / Electricity Audit to identify efficiencies and cost savings. A NABERS assessment follows. Implementing the audit’s recommendations helps achieve a higher NABERS rating, and a recognised green credential. - A NABERS assessment followed by an Energy Audit.
The reverse order also has benefits. In this case the initial NABERS assessment sets a benchmark. The Energy Audit helps target a higher rating.
Read more about our Energy Audits.
Now shared with New Zealand
New Zealand has adopted NABERS, called NABERSNZ. Similarly, it is a voluntary rating system that measures the energy performance of New Zealand’s office buildings. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is the licensee of NABERSNZ. It is administered by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC).