Queensland Compliance
Professional Form 15 energy efficiency certificates for all new residential dwellings in Queensland. NatHERS accredited assessment, 7-star thermal rating, Whole-of-Home energy budget, and fast turnaround for building approvals under QDC MP 4.1.
Request a QuoteUnderstanding Form 15
A Form 15 is the mandatory statutory energy efficiency certificate required for all new Class 1 residential dwellings in Queensland under the Queensland Development Code (QDC) Performance Requirement 4.1 (Sustainable Buildings). It demonstrates that your home meets the minimum 7-star NatHERS thermal performance rating and Whole-of-Home energy budget requirement under the National Construction Code 2022.
The Form 15 certificate must be lodged with your building certifier as part of the building approval process. It is issued by a NatHERS accredited energy assessor (like Ace Energy) following a detailed thermal performance assessment using accredited software.
Thermal performance assessment of your home's heating and cooling requirements, modelled against the specific climate zone for your Queensland location.
Annual energy use prediction (score out of 100) covering heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, cooking and fixed appliances. Solar and batteries improve the score.
Form 15 is the prescribed certificate format for Queensland building approval. It satisfies the NCC 2022 energy efficiency provisions as adopted in Queensland from 1 May 2024.
A NatHERS report is the underlying thermal performance assessment generated by accredited software (AccuRate Home, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, or HERO). A Form 15 is Queensland's statutory wrapper around that NatHERS assessment. The Form 15 is issued by an accredited assessor and lodged with your building certifier under QDC MP 4.1. In other Australian states (Victoria, WA, SA, ACT), the NatHERS report itself is the compliance document. In Queensland, you need the Form 15 which incorporates the NatHERS data.
Requirements
Any new residential dwelling built in Queensland requires a Form 15 energy efficiency certificate. This includes:
All single residential dwellings must achieve 7-star NatHERS rating and Whole-of-Home budget for building approval.
Architect-designed homes require Form 15 compliance. Early assessment can optimise design before drawings are finalised.
Each dwelling within a dual occupancy or duplex requires its own Form 15 energy compliance certificate.
Multi-dwelling developments (townhouses, villa units, terraces) require individual Form 15 certificates for each dwelling.
Major renovations (typically over 50% of the building) may trigger Form 15 compliance — check with your local council.
Owner-builders are not exempt. A Form 15 from an accredited assessor is still required for Queensland building approval.
How It Works
Send us floor plans, elevations, site plan (with north point), and window schedule. We'll advise if anything else is needed.
Our accredited assessors model your home using approved software, applying the correct climate zone data for your Queensland location.
If adjustments are needed to meet the 7-star rating, we provide practical advice on cost-effective design changes before issuing the certificate.
We issue your Form 15 energy efficiency certificate, ready to lodge with your building certifier under QDC MP 4.1.
Queensland Standards
Queensland adopted NCC 2022 energy efficiency provisions from 1 May 2024. Here's what you need to know:
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum NatHERS Rating | 7 Stars | Thermal performance rating for all new Class 1 dwellings. Optional 1-star credit available for qualifying outdoor living areas. |
| Whole-of-Home Energy Budget | Required | Annual energy use score (out of 100) including heating, cooling, hot water, lighting and appliances. Solar panels and batteries can improve the score. |
| Certificate Format | Form 15 | Issued under QDC MP 4.1. Must be lodged with your building certifier as part of building approval documentation. |
| Assessor Requirement | Accredited | Form 15 must be issued by a NatHERS accredited energy assessor. Ace Energy assessors are fully accredited. |
| Building Classes | Class 1 & 2 | New Class 1 and 2 residential buildings (single houses, townhouses, duplexes). Requirements vary for other building classes. |
Common Questions
We typically need: floor plans (all levels), elevations (north, south, east, west), a site plan showing orientation with north point clearly marked, a window schedule or detailed specification, and construction details covering wall systems, insulation R-values, glazing specifications, slab construction and roof type. If you're unsure what you have, just send us what you've got and we'll advise on any missing information.
Most standard Form 15 assessments are completed promptly once we receive complete plans. Typical turnaround is 5–10 business days depending on project complexity and current workload. More complex projects (large multi-dwelling developments, designs requiring extensive optimisation) may take longer. We provide a clear timeline when you submit your plans.
This is where our experience becomes valuable. We don't just identify a shortfall — we provide practical, cost-effective design recommendations. Changes to glazing ratios, insulation specifications, window placement, shading, or orientation often bring designs into compliance without significant construction cost increases. In rare cases where standard design adjustments won't work, we can explore a Performance Solution as an alternative compliance pathway.
As early as possible. Engaging us at the design stage — before plans are finalised — allows us to advise on orientation, window placement, insulation and thermal performance while changes are still inexpensive. That said, we can assess plans at any stage: design development, working drawings, or even during the building approval process if needed.
Form 15 is specific to Queensland building approval under QDC MP 4.1. If your project is in NSW, we can issue a BASIX certificate. For Victoria, WA, SA, ACT or Tasmania, we issue standard NatHERS reports. Each state has its own compliance format. We're experienced across all Australian states and territories and can advise on the correct certificate for your location.
Form 15 is Queensland's building code compliance certificate for energy efficiency. BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) is NSW's equivalent tool, which covers thermal comfort, water and energy together. Both use NatHERS assessment as the underlying methodology for thermal performance, but they're jurisdiction-specific compliance documents. Your building location determines which certificate you need.
Cost varies based on project complexity, building size and design uniqueness. Standard residential assessments are typically priced competitively. Multi-dwelling developments, architecturally complex designs, and Performance Solutions may have higher costs. We provide a fixed quote once we've reviewed your plans. Contact us for a no-obligation quote.
Send us your plans and we'll assess your project, confirm 7-star compliance, and issue your Form 15 ready for Queensland building approval.
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