Publications

NOTE: Expressions Of Interest (EOIs) have now closed for this Technical Working Group.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department) is seeking expressions of interest to join a technical working group to inform the development of the user interface protocol for Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) tools for existing homes (www.nathers.gov.au/expansion). 

In 2019 the Australian Government invested substantial funds, with the backing of the states and territories, in the development of a ‘cloud-based’ version of AccuRate, named AccuRate Enterprise.

As part of the expansion of NatHERS to existing homes, the proposed approach is to create the opportunity for the market to develop third-party user interfaces (UI), with all calculations undertaken by AccuRate Enterprise (existing homes mode).

The user interface protocol will set out the requirements for third-party UIs to undertake home energy ratings for existing homes using AccuRate Enterprise.

This expression of interest is seeking suitably qualified and interested experts to join a technical working group that will inform the development of the user interface protocol. 

The participation in the working group does NOT disqualify applicants from future participation in pilots, trials of software or further work around the development of tools and advisory in this space. 

Please note however, the confidentiality and disclaimer section in the EOI document stating that this is a consultative activity and is not commitment to any course of action.

For details on how to submit your expression of interest refer to User Interface Protocol Technical Working Group Submission requirements.

Dates 

Please submit your expression of interest by 17 October 2024

The proposed date of the first working group will be the 24 October 2024.

Contact information

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at admin@nathers.gov.au. 

Spreadsheet listing NatHERS Climate Zones by postcode - aligns with the climate zones displayed in NatHERS Accredited Software tools.

• NatHERS Climate Zone Postcodes [csv] - Updated September 2024
• NatHERS Climate Zone Postcodes [pdf] - Updated September 2024

This report covers results from a recent study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) investigating the air infiltration rates achieved by newly constructed houses and apartments in five Australian capital cities. The study compared some of these results to the assumed air infiltration rates calculated in the NatHERS software. It also identified air leakage points in each dwelling and tested the specific flow rates for some of these leakage points. The report provides recommendations for some of the common performance problems found in Australian homes. 

The study was supported and funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Air Infiltration of New Dwellings in Australia Report (PDF)

The documents below detail the NatHERS assurance strategy for existing homes: 

• Assurance Strategy Presentation PDF / PPT
• Assurance Strategy Draft PDF / DOCX

Keen to provide feedback?

Download and complete a stakeholder response form below  and submit via email to the NatHERS Admin inbox admin@nathers.gov.au. 

Your response is required by 5pm AEST on 30 August 2024

Assurance Strategy stakeholder response form 

Visit the NatHERS Expansion page to find out more about the existing homes consultation process and supporting webinars.  

The documents below detail the accreditation requirements for existing home assessors (including a draft code of practice), as well as the proposed complaints management policy: 

• Assessor Accreditation Presentation  PDF / PPT
• Assessor Code of Practice Draft  PDF / DOCX
• Complaint Management Policy Draft  PDF / DOCX

Keen to provide feedback?

Download and complete a stakeholder response form below and submit via email to the NatHERS Admin inbox admin@nathers.gov.au. 

Your Response is required by 5pm AEST on 30 August 2024.

Assessor Accreditation stakeholder response form

Visit the NatHERS Expansion page to find out more about the existing homes consultation process and supporting webinars.  

A list of the current material properties used in NatHERS software tools can be viewed in the link below.

Material Properties Used in NatHERS Software Tools - Updated August 2024

The below document outlines the process for updating the NatHERS material properties library to include new building materials in NatHERS Software.

New materials in NatHERS software process - Updated June 2020

If you need advice or cannot find the document you are looking for, please email: admin@nathers.gov.au 

In June 2024, the Preliminary Impact Analysis (PIA) for Centralised Services and the proposed Apartment Centralised Services Method were released for public consultation. The consultation period has now closed. 

The PIA documented the need and rationale for including centralised services into the NatHERS Whole of Home National Calculations Method. 

The Method provides a framework for assessing shared hot water and space conditioning systems in apartment buildings under NatHERS.

NatHERS is currently reviewing the feedback received during the consultation and once completed, the findings will be shared with all stakeholders.

For access to any documents related to this consultation, please contact admin@nathers.gov.au.

This page focuses on troubleshooting issues relating to regulatory home energy assessments for NCC 2022. This information is to help assessors better understand the updated energy efficiency requirements including the addition of the new Whole of Home rating, and the increase to a 7-star minimum thermal rating. 

• NCC 2022 – Troubleshooting Q&As (last updated 25 September 2024).   

If you can't find the answer to your question here, please see: 

• The Assessor Toolkit page - a range of useful links and documents to support assessors.
• The Assessor Handbook - a step-by-step guide to a NatHERS home energy assessment.
• General information on NatHERS on the FAQs page.

Still not what you're looking for? Please send specific technical questions to the technical team: admin@nathers.gov.au 

Remember to sign up for our NatHERS newsletter to keep up to date with all the latest industry news!

The NatHERS Compliance and Enforcement Framework (Ratings for New Homes) describes how we manage risks of assessor error, non-compliance, or misconduct.  It describes how we make rules and decisions relating to compliance, who has roles and responsibilities for compliance and what they are, and the consequences for non-compliance.  A summary of key obligations is included.

• View current NatHERS Compliance and Enforcement Framework - PDF 
• View current NatHERS Compliance and Enforcement Framework - Docx 

The Technical Note provides a standardised approach to rating a dwelling. It details the requirements that must be followed for a NatHERS assessment in regulation mode when demonstrating compliance with the NCC.

NatHERS Technical Note, 23 October 2024 - Current

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.22 and V3.23 only. Use the current version to comply to NCC 2022 requirements. 

NatHERS Technical Note, 01 May 2024 - Superseded

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.22 and V3.23 only.

NatHERS Technical Note, 23 October 2023 - Superseded

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.22 and V3.23 only.

NatHERS Technical Note, 29 September 2023 - Superseded

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.22 and V3.23 only.

NatHERS Technical Note, 1 September 2022 - Superseded

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.22 only.

NatHERS Technical Note, 1 June 2019 - Superseded

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.21 only. Use the June 2019 version to comply to NCC2019 requirements.

NatHERS Technical Note, 1 May 2019 - superseded

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.21 only.

NatHERS Technical Note V1.2, 1 October 2014 - superseded

This version is for use with software using Chenath engine V3.13 only. See also: 

• Zoning guide for the Technical Note 1.2 (2014) 
• Technical Note 1.2 Assessor Questions and Answers

NatHERS Technical Note V1.1, 2013, and Addendum 1.2013 - superseded