NABERS

Under the Office Building Strategy of the NSW Government Sustainability Policy, office buildings over 1,000m², owned or tenanted by budget-dependent agencies, are required to:

• obtain an accredited NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) Energy and Water rating
• achieve and maintain a NABERS rating of 4.5 stars for energy and water by 1 July 2011, where cost effective
• where new or refurbished, achieve and maintain 2011 targets from 18 months of the first occupancy, where cost effective
• tenanted buildings to include Green Lease Schedule in all new leases and lease renewals, where practical

The Government has also committed to set NABERS targets in Government office buildings for waste and indoor environment. Agencies will be advised of any requirements related to this commitment, once these targets have been set (expected in early 2010).

Office Building Strategy - Questions & Answers (10148obs.pdf, 93kb) - This fact sheet explains agencies' obligations to achieve the NABERS ratings requirements for Government owned and tenanted office spaces. It explains what agencies need to do to under different scenarios.

Preparing for NABERS Ratings (10149nabersratings.pdf, 90kb) - This fact sheet provides an overview of the NABERS and the data you need to gather to undertake NABERS ratings.

Only NABERS Accredited Assessors are able to undertake official NABERS ratings. If your agency would like to engage an Accredited NABERS Assessor to undertake NABERS rating, you have two simple options:

• The State Property Authority has established the NABERS Rating Procurement Program. The program establishes a panel of NABERS Accredited Assessors to undertake NABERS ratings for Government premises at a fixed rate. If you would like to use the Assessors from this panel, email government@environment.nsw.gov.au
• You can engage a NABERS Accredited Assessor of your choice and negotiate a fee. Search for a NABERS Accredited Assessor.

What is NABERS?

NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) rates the environmental performance of existing buildings on 1-6 star scale. A six star rating represents best practice environmental performance, while a one-star rating indicates below average performance and opportunities for improvement.

NABERS ratings are available for offices, hotels, shopping centres and homes. NABERS ratings for offices include energy, water, waste and indoor environment.

The NABERS Office website has a wealth of information to help building owners, managers and tenants understand the waste, water, energy, greenhouse gas emissions and indoor environment performance of their building and improve ratings.

More information

Stay up-to-date on NSW Government NABERS targets and achievements by joining the Sustainable Government e-Newsletter mailing list.  Send an email to government@environment.nsw.gov.au to join.