Publications

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

The NatHERS Assessor Handbook has been developed by the NatHERS Administrator in conjunction with industry experts.

It is designed to help assessors navigate the NatHERS assessment process, by describing how assessments are to be conducted, including the mandatory and recommended steps of the process.

The handbook provides additional guidance to support the NatHERS Technical Note. It presents information that can assist assessors, regardless of which NatHERS accredited software tool is used. For guidance on undertaking activities in a specific software assessment tool, assessors should contact their software tool provider or consult their relevant software tool manual. 

The Whole of Home Guidance Note and Thermal Bridging Guidance Note have been incorporated into the current version of the NatHERS Assessor Handbook. Use the current version to comply to NCC 2022 requirements. 

• View the current NatHERS Assessor Handbook - PDF (published 16 April 2024)
• View the current NatHERS Assessor Handbook - Word DOCX (published 16 April 2024) 

Previous version:

Use the June 2019 version to comply with NCC 2019 requirements.

• NatHERS Assessor Handbook June 2019 PDF Superseded 
• NatHERS Assessor Handbook June 2019 Doc Superseded 

The Whole of Home modelling guidance has now moved to chapter 12 of the Assessor Handbook. Please refer to the Handbook for the most recent guidance. The Handbook should be read in conjunction with the NatHERS Technical Note.

• View the NatHERS Whole of Home Guidance Note SUPERSEDED

The NatHERS logo, acronym and rating image are registered trade marks under the Australian Trade Mark Register. 

The NatHERS Trade Mark Guidelines outline who is eligible to use these trade marks, the approval process and conditions of use. 

NatHERS Trade Mark Guidelines [pdf]

NatHERS Trade Mark Guidelines [docx]

If you are eligible to use the NatHERS trade marks and wish to use them, please complete the form below and email it to: admin@nathers.gov.au. You will receive an automated reply to let you know the team has received the application.

NatHERS Trade Mark Approval Form

Please note: Reviews of most requests take 3-5 working days. The team will reach out during this time if any additional information is required

The ‘Thermal bridging guidance note’ can be found in chapter 11 of the Assessor Handbook. Please refer to the Handbook for the most recent guidance. The Handbook should be read in conjunction with the NatHERS Technical Note

• View the 'NatHERS Thermal Bridging guidance note (PDF)' - SUPERSEDED
• View the 'NatHERS Thermal Bridging guidance note (Docx)' - SUPERSEDED

These documents outline the method that underpins the NatHERS Whole of Home modules and rating in the benchmark tool (AccuRate Home). It includes information for calculating the energy demand of a home’s energy uses such as heating and cooling appliances, hot water systems, lighting, pool and spa equipment, plug-in and cooking appliances. It also includes information for calculating on-site solar PV generation and storage, and the Whole of Home performance rating.

Whole of Home National Calculations Method (PDF)

Whole of Home National Calculation Method Appendices (MS Excel)

Please contact the NatHERS Administrator via admin@nathers.gov.au if you have any questions.

Across Australia, all Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) ratings are presented on a certificate or a non-accredited report.

These show key details about the dwelling, and from 2022, will also provide new information for households on the greenhouse gas emissions of their home, the costs and energy used by all its major appliances, and the impact of solar and batteries.

The certificate will be in one of two formats:

1. A certificate that displays the NatHERS logo and can be printed in colour –produced by accredited assessors

2. A non-accredited report without the NatHERS logo and only available in black and white – produced by non-accredited assessors.

They have been designed so that owners, builders, certifiers and regulatory authorities can understand and easily check the home’s rating. The QR code, in particular, is important. When scanned, it takes the user to the original certificate that is stored on a secure website.

The data from these certificates go into the CSIRO Australian Housing Data portal (AHD). Furthermore, the fees from the certificates contribute to funding the NatHERS Scheme.

Information for builders, certifiers, regulators and home owners

Changes to the 2022 certificate & non-accredited report 

Guide to the 2019 certificate & non-accredited certificate

2022 NatHERS Certificate samples

2022 NatHERS Certificate sample

2019 NatHERS Certificate samples

2019 NatHERS Certificate sample 

Old (pre 2019) Universal Certificate information

Guides to the Old (pre 2019) universal certificates

Old (pre 2019) Universal NatHERS certificate samples