A NatHERS for New Homes Certificate allows builders, certifiers and regulatory authorities to quickly confirm that a building was designed to meet or exceed the National Construction Code’s minimum energy efficiency standards and built to match the rated design.
The certificates provide information on the thermal performance, energy used by major appliances and greenhouse gas emissions of a home, and the impact of solar and batteries. This helps households understand overall energy efficiency of their home.
Certificates display a ‘thermal’ star rating out of 10 based on how much heating and cooling energy is needed to keep a home comfortable.
The ‘Whole of Home’ rating out of 100 was introduced in NCC2022. This is based on estimated energy use of the home’s appliances (heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters, lighting, cooking appliances, pool and spa pumps) offset by any energy provided by solar panels or stored in batteries. Ratings above 100 are possible (100 is considered a net zero energy value home). A home with a rating over 100 generates more energy than it uses. If a 'Whole of Home' assessment has not been undertaken, this will be specified on the certificate.
Who can issue a Home Energy Rating (NatHERS) for new homes certificate?
There are both accredited and non-accredited assessors who undertake new homes assessments. Accredited assessors are trained, insured and monitored through Assessor Accrediting Organisations (AAOs), ensuring their work meets national standards.
Non-accredited assessors (also known as raters) are not monitored, do not require insurance and their certificates are not quality assured.
Accredited vs non-accredited certificates
Accredited assessors’ certificates include features such as the scheme’s logo, colour formatting and a QR code that links to a secure online record. A non-accredited assessor can only produce a black and white certificate that does not feature a logo.
See the certificate (and report) samples below.
While it is not compulsory for assessors to be accredited in all states and territories, the NatHERS logo and QR code provides immediate verification that the person rating a home is accredited to complete NatHERS energy ratings.
Changes to New Homes Certificates for NCC 2025
There are several updates to the NatHERS for New Homes Certificate as part of the NCC 2025 reaccreditation, including:
- additional Whole of Home information,
- a version number at the bottom of each page, and
- reporting of the modelled building permeability (airtightness).
An updated certificate guide and set of 2025 certificate samples is currently being developed to explain the updates and changes.
Earlier NCC versions
The use of earlier software and certificate versions for all state and territory jurisdictions is considered on a case-by-case approval process. The assessor needs to receive a written request/authorisation from a regulator to use a retired version.
The 2022 NatHERS Certificates include information to support the changes to residential energy efficiency in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022. The Guide to the 2022 NatHERS Certificate also explains these updates and changes.
2025 NatHERS for New Homes Certificate samples
Updated certificate samples and guide coming soon!
2022 NatHERS Certificate samples
2022 NatHERS Certificate sample
Guide to the 2022 NatHERS Certificate
2019 NatHERS Certificate samples and information for builders, certifiers, regulators and homeowners
2019 NatHERS Certificate sample
Guide to the 2019 certificate & non-accredited certificate