NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
Australia's mandatory-disclosure and voluntary performance rating system for existing buildings: the Commercial Building Disclosure duties to hold, show and give a registered Building Energy Efficiency Certificate with a NABERS Energy rating when selling or leasing office space of 1,000 m2 or more, and the NABERS Rules assessors apply to rate energy, water, indoor environment and waste: eligibility, rated area and hours, computer counts, minimum coverage, metering, meter validation, estimation limits, renewable claims, site visits, audits and seven-year records, with hotels, the Energy Performance Indicator, portfolio ratings, Commitment Agreements and the Sustainable Finance Criteria.
NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System is a compliance framework from Australia (national scheme administered by the NSW Government; CBD under Commonwealth law); NABERS NZ and NABERS UK adaptations exist with 9 domains and 97 controls that map to 28 other frameworks. The largest domains are Energy and Water for Offices Rules v5.2 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System (34 controls), Commercial Building Disclosure (Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010 and instruments) – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System (15 controls), Metering and Consumption Rules v2.6 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System (14 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
Framework summaries on this platform are interpretations grounded in the published source, for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.
Framework Domains (9)
Assessors, Agreement to Rate, Commitment Agreements and finance criteria – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::AGR-COP-1 | Rate only through an individual accredited assessor following the Process Documents |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::AGR-COP-2 | Keep assessor independence visible: disclose conflicts and take no outcome-based fees |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::AGR-COP-3 | Co-operate with audits and remedy errors immediately |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::AGR-COP-4 | Communicate about NABERS and its trade mark responsibly |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::ATR-4 | Meet the Agreement to Rate milestones: occupancy within 6 years and ratings within 2 years |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::ATR-6 | Give accurate information, keep project records seven years and notify transfers |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CA-1 | Enter a Commitment Agreement before claiming a design-stage NABERS target |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CA-4 | Produce a compliant energy estimate with margin, off-axis scenarios and risk assessment |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CA-6 | Pass Independent Design Review before the construction certificate |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::SFC-1 | Evidence sustainable finance alignment with NABERS ratings |
Commercial Building Disclosure (Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010 and instruments) – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-11 | No offer to sell, lease or sublease without a registered current BEEC |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-12 | Give a registered BEEC to a prospective purchaser, lessee or sublessee on request |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-13 | Apply for the BEEC with an accredited energy rating and tenancy lighting assessment |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-15 | Include the current NABERS Energy rating in every sale or lease advertisement |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-17 | Hold a granted exemption before relying on one |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-18 | Give the assessor information and access when the Secretary requires it |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-19 | Use information obtained for a certificate only for permitted purposes |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-20 | Assessor applies the determined methods and conditions of accreditation |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-46-49 | Co-operate with auditors and answer the Secretary's compliance notices |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-DAB | Determine whether the building or area is disclosure affected |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-DET-5 | Express and display the rating in advertisements as the Determination requires |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-DET-6 | Work out the CBD energy rating under the incorporated NABERS Offices Rules |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-DET-7 | Perform the Tenancy Lighting Assessment under the CBD rules |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-DET-8 | Certificate carries the prescribed building, rating, emissions and lighting content |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::CBD-REG-9 | Meet the prescribed conditions of CBD accreditation |
Energy Performance Indicator Rules v1.4 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EPI-3 | Confirm eligibility for an Energy Performance Indicator and the site visit type |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EPI-5 | Measure rated area and answer the energy usage highlights |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EPI-7 | Cover all energy for the part or whole premises and treat student accommodation facilities correctly |
Energy and Water for Hotels Rules v4.2 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::HTL-3 | Confirm hotel eligibility and classify the hotel type |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::HTL-4 | Count guest rooms, out-of-service periods and laundry serviced rooms |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::HTL-6 | Establish the hotel quality rating, pool area and function room seats |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::HTL-9 | Cover all hotel energy and water end uses including charge-to-room facilities |
Energy and Water for Offices Rules v5.2 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-3.2 | Confirm the premises is eligible for a Base Building, Whole Building or Tenancy rating |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-3.3 | Rate on a 12-month period and lodge within 120 days |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-3.4 | Base the rating on acceptable data, with estimates within the 5 % limit |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-3.5 | Conduct a new site visit for every rating, physical where the Rules require it |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-3.6 | Use the CBD Program before excluding space for missing tenant data |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-3.7 | Keep records that let an auditor repeat the rating, for seven years |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-3.8 | Obtain National Administrator approval for alternative methods and uncovered situations |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.3 | Verify office Net Lettable Area to the measurement standard |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.4 | Divide office NLA into functional spaces at the minimum required granularity |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.5 | Exclude non-office and commercially negotiated spaces from the rated area |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.5.4 | Treat computer server rooms and data centres as the Rules require |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.5.5 | Treat meeting rooms and other office support facilities by rating scope |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.5.6 | Exclude functional spaces without consumption data, with the required evidence |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.6.2 | Cap public access space at 10 % of net office NLA |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.6.3 | Limit medical and educational office facilities to 25 % in base building ratings only |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-4.7 | Weight functional spaces by occupation days and up to 30 fitout days |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.3.2 | Determine Core Hours from the Owner/Tenant Agreement correctly |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.3.3 | Count after-hours air conditioning only from dated tenant requests |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.3.4 | Use a Tenant Occupancy Survey only when higher-priority methods fail, completed by the right person |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.3.5 | Apply default hours of 45 per week only as a documented fallback |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.3.6 | Estimate Average Core Hours only as an acceptable estimate added to potential error |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.3.7 | Set hours for separated server rooms and support facilities by scope |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.4 | Verify rated hours of 60 or more per week |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-5.5 | Enter Core Hours that vary over the period or the week as the Rules direct |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-6.3.2 | Count only complete personal computer systems in regular use |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-6.3.3 | Conduct an actual on-site count, timed for activity-based working |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-6.3.4 | Estimate or apply the default count only where permitted |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-7.2 | Cover the minimum energy end uses for the rating scope |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-7.3.1 | Match server room energy treatment to its area treatment |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-7.3.2 | Allocate supplementary air conditioning and other services between base building and tenant |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-7.3.3 | Include energy of tenant-only spaces and exclude other spaces only when properly metered |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-7.3.4 | Include and apportion car park energy by the car park rules |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-7.4 | Cover all office water uses, including metered fire system water |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::EWO-C.3 | Adjust rating periods and choose renew or replace for successive ratings correctly |
Indoor Environment for Offices Rules v3.1 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-3 | Choose the IE rating scope and collect every component it requires |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-4.3 | Determine office floor area, occupied floors and the number of sampling floors and points |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-4.6 | Select floors and locations by the priority rules and record them in a sample collection plan |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-5 | Run the Occupant Satisfaction Survey through an approved provider before measuring |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-6 | Conduct the site visit and spot measurements under normal operation |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-7 | Assess thermal services by spot measurements and verified annual temperature data |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-8 | Measure air quality components with the specified methods and windows |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::IE-9 | Measure ambient sound and horizontal illuminance as specified |
Metering and Consumption Rules v2.6 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-10 | Evidence every renewable claim in the Renewable Energy Indicator |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-3.2 | Apply the common data hierarchy and enter data exactly as sourced |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-4.2 | Identify every energy and water source and supply point on site |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-4.3 | Check sources against minimum coverage and run the office and retail cross-checks |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-4.4 | Confirm meter types and use non-utility meters only as the Rules allow |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-5.3 | Secure 12 months of acceptable utility data aligned to the rating period |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-5.4 | Correct estimated or missing utility readings by the permitted methods |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-5.5 | Report water with and without purchased recycled water |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-6 | Handle non-utility meter data to the same 12-month standard |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-7 | Validate CT, gas and remote-read meters and meet the 10-year validation schedule |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-7.4 | Correct or stop when validation finds a faulty meter |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-8.2 | Estimate small unmetered loads and apportioned exclusions only within the Rules |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-8.3 | Account for batch-delivered fuels and water and for EV charging |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::MC-9 | Treat on-site generation, storage and captured water by the Rules |
Portfolio ratings Rules v1.7 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::PRT-3 | Calculate and publish portfolio ratings by the aggregation and disclosure rules |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::PRT-4 | Obtain exemptions for ineligible or atypical assets and apply optional exclusions uniformly |
Waste Rules v2.2 and Waste for Offices Rules v1.2 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::WST-10 | Lodge, rate and keep records under the waste validity and precinct rules |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::WST-3.6 | Visit site for every waste rating and verify configuration and practices |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::WST-5 | Include every core waste stream and only eligible optional streams |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::WST-6 | Record at least 90 % of collections with measured weights or bin counts |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::WST-7 | Conduct contamination, density and composition audits by the procedure |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::WST-8 | Verify weight and bin-count data against the tests and a second source |
| nabers-national-australian-built-environment-rating-system::WST-9 | Evidence recovery pathways for the Material Recovery Score |
Your Compliance Coverage
If you comply with NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System, you already cover:
ISO 14001:2015
2%
2 controls mapped
Compare →IEC 62351 - Power Systems Communication Security
2%
2 controls mapped
Compare →ISO 50001:2018 - Energy Management Systems
2%
2 controls mapped
Compare →+ 25 more: ASIS SPC.1-2009 - Organizational Resilience Standard (1%), OWASP MASVS (1%)
See all 28 mapped frameworks ↓Maps to 28 other frameworks
Coverage is not the same as your position
This page shows what NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.
The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business daysWhat is NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System and who does it apply to?
NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System is a compliance framework from Australia (national scheme administered by the NSW Government; CBD under Commonwealth law); NABERS NZ and NABERS UK adaptations exist with 9 domains and 97 controls. Australia's mandatory-disclosure and voluntary performance rating system for existing buildings: the Commercial Building Disclosure duties to hold, show and give a registered Building Energy Efficiency Certificate with a NABERS Energy rating when selling or leasing office space of 1,000 m2 or more, and the NABERS Rules assessors apply to rate energy, water, indoor environment and waste: eligibility, rated area and hours, computer counts, minimum coverage, metering, meter validation, estimation limits, renewable claims, site visits, audits and seven-year records, with hotels, the Energy Performance Indicator, portfolio ratings, Commitment Agreements and the Sustainable Finance Criteria. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System actually require?
NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System has 97 controls organised across 9 domains. The largest domains are Energy and Water for Offices Rules v5.2 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System (34 controls), Commercial Building Disclosure (Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010 and instruments) – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System (15 controls), Metering and Consumption Rules v2.6 – NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System (14 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System do I already cover?
NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System maps to 28 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are ISO 14001:2015 (2% coverage), IEC 62351 - Power Systems Communication Security (2% coverage), ISO 50001:2018 - Energy Management Systems (2% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I implement NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System?
Start your NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about NABERS - National Australian Built Environment Rating System requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 97 controls and track your progress.
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