NatHERS Climate Zones and Weather Files

Climate Zones

NatHERS divides Australia into regions of similar climatic conditions, referred to as climate zones. Homes in each separate climate zone are unlikely to require significant differences in house design to reach a similar star rating. The number of climate zones is defined by the availability of quality climate data, and whether locations are sufficiently unique to warrant separation from nearby zones.

Climate zones are generally aligned with postcode boundaries for convenience, except where there is likely to be a topographical or other feature within the postcode area that impacts the local climate. In this scenario, alternative zones are offered for the same postcode. For example, if a postcode includes a mountainous area, an alternative climate zone may be used above a certain altitude.

A new climate zone may be considered for inclusion in NatHERS if a suitably qualified expert can provide evidence to the National Administrator that:

  • a particular region varies sufficiently from the surrounding zones to warrant different building design strategies; and
  • adequate Bureau of Meteorology climate data exists for a city or town in the proposed new zone.

An updated colour display of Climate Zones is available in the NatHERS interactive Climate Zone Map. If you have any feedback on the new format, please email the NatHERS Administrator and we will pass on your suggestions to the developer.

In addition to the interactive map, the NatHERS Climate Zones Postcodes spreadsheet aligns with the climate zones displayed in the NatHERS Accredited Software tools. 

Suburban Australian street during the day

Shutterstock.com

NatHERS Reference Meteorological Year Climate Files

Climate data are included in NatHERS Accredited Software. NatHERS Reference Meteorological Year (RMY) climate files are compiled from Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) raw climate data and are used to simulate a typical year for every NatHERS climate zone in Australia.

The files may be provided for research purposes only by the NatHERS Administrator on request.

For more information and to request NatHERS Climate files please see the Guideline for accessing and using NatHERS climate files.

The files may not be suitable for uses other than researching NatHERS residential building ratings and so users should make their own decision on their suitability for other research purposes.