Energy Efficiency

Sustainability is an important factor in buying, renovating or building your own home.  If building or renovating your own home, there is a lot you can do to ensure that your project is:

• Energy and water efficient;
• Reduces its impact on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and
• Is as ‘green’ as possible.

The WA Government is committed to the efficient use of energy throughout the state. From 1 May 2025 all new homes and any renovations or extensions to existing homes requiring a building permit, in accordance with the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC), must meet the minimum 7 Star Energy Efficiency Rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).

To obtain the 7 Star Energy Efficiency Rating you will need to engage an Energy Assessor. To find an accredited energy assessor please click the links below:

NatHERS Assessor Register  ABSA Accredited Assessor Directory

Top tips for building for 7 Stars

• Get your energy assessor involved early in the design process.
• Orientation selection - the location of rooms in your design will contribute to the energy performance.
• Improve the glazing - consider double or triple glazing, window size, placement and shading .
• Increase zoning - including more internal doors in your design can help to have the mechanical heating and cooling estimates in NatHERS applied more accurately.
• Insulate more - Increase the R value of wall, floor and ceiling insulation .
• Plan for fans - specifying ceiling fans in all rooms can improve the NatHERS rating.
• Check your colours - Lighten external roof and wall colours .
• Look at lighting - NatHERS rewards homes with fewer ceiling penetrations with higher ratings. Consider if your design can delete downlights that aren't IC4 rated, roof windows and skylights and replace with other lighting options that allow for continuous ceiling insulation.

For a more comprehensive guide to meeting the 7 Star Energy Efficiency Rating please visit Australian Government Your Home website.

Your Home

For further information please visit the Building and Energy WA website by clicking on the link below:

Sustainable and energy-efficient homes

Disability Access

All new and majorly refurbished Class 2-9 buildings (commercial and industrial) are required to comply with the current version of Building Code of Australia (BCA) and its referenced standards.

The Building Code of Australia sets out minimum requirements for certain Class 2-9 (commercial and industrial) buildings on access and egress.  Part D3 of the Building Code of Australia sets out the minimum requirements outlined in AS 1428.1-2009 Design for access and mobility.

Disability (Access to Premises-Buildings) Standards 2010, part of The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 takes precedence and references the Building Code of Australia and the current applicable Australian Standard.

The following links can assist you with understanding the disability access requirements:

Disability Access

10 Step Guide to complete for an Accessible installation:

Unisex Accessible Toilet in New Buildings