If you're building a new home in Australia, one number now sits at the centre of your energy approval: 7 stars. Since the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 took effect, most new dwellings must reach a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating — up from the previous 6-star benchmark. Here's what that means in practice.
What is a NatHERS star rating?
NatHERS — the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme — rates how well the fabric of your home keeps it comfortable without mechanical heating and cooling. Accredited software models your floor plan, orientation, glazing, insulation and construction, then produces a star rating from 0 to 10. The more stars, the less energy your home needs to stay comfortable through summer and winter.
The short answer
Most new homes and major renovations must achieve a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating, plus a separate Whole of Home score — but exact requirements vary by state, climate zone and council.
Why did it change to 7 stars?
The jump from 6 to 7 stars is part of a national push to cut household energy bills and emissions. A 7-star home is meaningfully more comfortable and cheaper to run than a 6-star equivalent — the difference shows up every summer heatwave and every winter cold snap. The change was introduced through NCC 2022 and has been adopted (on staggered timelines) across the states and territories.
7 stars isn't the whole story: Whole of Home
Under NCC 2022, the star rating is only half of the assessment. New homes also need to pass a Whole of Home assessment — a score out of 100 that looks at the energy used by your fixed appliances: heating and cooling, hot water, lighting, and pool or spa pumps, with credits for solar panels and batteries.
- Houses generally need a Whole of Home score of at least 60/100.
- Apartments generally need at least 50/100.
- Efficient appliances and rooftop solar are usually the fastest way to lift the score.
Does every project need exactly 7 stars?
Not always. Requirements can differ depending on where and what you're building:
| Scenario | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| New house (most states) | 7-star NatHERS + Whole of Home |
| New apartments (Class 2) | 7-star average + Whole of Home / Section J pathway |
| NSW dwellings | Assessed through BASIX rather than a standalone NatHERS certificate |
| Council or overlay areas | Sometimes higher than 7 stars |
Because the detail varies, the safest move is to have an accredited assessor confirm the exact target for your address before your plans are finalised.
How to hit 7 stars without blowing the budget
The good news: reaching 7 stars is rarely about expensive gadgets. It's about getting the fundamentals right early:
- Orientation — living areas and key glazing facing north do a lot of the work for free.
- Glazing — the right glass type and size for each facade, with eaves or shading where it counts.
- Insulation — appropriate values in the roof, walls and floor for your climate zone.
- Sealing — reducing draughts and thermal bridging across the building envelope.
Engaging an assessor at the design stage — rather than after plans are locked in — means these adjustments can be modelled before they cost you a redesign. It's almost always cheaper to move a window on paper than on site.
Building soon?
We assess plans at any stage and tell you exactly what (if anything) needs to change to reach your target. Send us your plans for a fast, no-obligation quote.
Every project is different, and the right pathway depends on your design, location and budget. If you'd like a clear answer for your specific build, our accredited assessors are happy to help.
