What you need to know

Appliances and equipment

Buildings

• Commercial buildings
• Homes
• Industry initiatives
• Publications

Lighting

Renewable energy

Building framework

National Building Energy Standard-Setting, Assessment and Rating Framework

Under the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, the Australian, state and territory governments have agreed to develop a National Building Energy Standard-Setting, Assessment and Rating Framework (the Framework).  The Framework is intended to drive significant improvement in Australia’s building stock through establishing a pathway for future increases in minimum building standards to 2020, and improving the approach to assessing and rating buildings.

In summary, the Framework will:

• set increasingly stringent minimum building standards over time for new buildings and renovations;
• cover all types of residential and commercial buildings;
• apply to new and existing buildings;
• cover the building envelope including roof, walls, doors and windows, as well as the energy efficiency of key building equipment and services;
• aim to bring together rating tools used for existing and new buildings;
• include common measurement and reporting to help in setting building standards and assessing building performance;
• encourage innovation in meeting defined performance standards;
• continue to communicate building performance using star ratings; and
• facilitate effective monitoring and compliance.

Measures under the Framework that affect new building work will be implemented primarily through the National Construction Code.

An Australian, state and territory government working group has been established to develop the Framework and consult stakeholders.

An expert reference group has also been established to provide technical advice on options being considered for the Framework.

A Public Discussion Paper, containing Framework options, was released for public consultation in early 2010.  A Draft Framework for Consultation, containing more specific proposals, has since been produced and is now available for comment. Submissions on this document must be received by close of business on Wednesday 31 August 2011. Information on this consultation process is available at: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/submissions/building-framework-paper.aspx

For more information or to add your name or organisation to a register for updates on the Framework please email buildingframework@climatechange.gov.au.