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Department of Climate Change, 23 August 2024
Energy, the Environment and Water
GPO Box 3090
Canberra ACT 2601
Via: admin@nathers.gov.au
Dear NatHERS Administrator,
Master Builders Australia (Master Builders) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (the Department) Expanding the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme consultation (the consultation).
Master Builders is the nation’s peak building and construction industry association which was federated in 1890. Master Builders’ members are the Master Builder state and territory associations.
Master Builders is the only industry association that represents all three sectors: residential, commercial and civil construction.
Master Builders members represent over 32,000 businesses, including the top 100 construction companies.
Master Builders is supportive of the expansion of the nationwide house energy rating scheme to include existing building stock. The progress being made on developing a tool for existing housing is an important part of the transition to net zero and a recognition that new housing cannot carry the full load of change.
That said, Master Builders makes the following comments:
• It appears to be the intent of the Department to rely on the same pool of energy assessors that
are needed to sign off new construction. There is a real likelihood that this will become an
issue as the building and construction workforce is already facing significant shortages.
• It is planned that existing houses will require an ‘existing house’ NatHERS assessment at specific
points (e.g. sale) and that they can rely on a ‘new house’ NatHERS certificate for 10 years. The
additional need for a NatHERS assessment at handover may push all new houses down the
NatHERS compliance path. This would be problematic, especially noting workforce constraints
above.
• There must be no discrepancy between ‘as designed’ and ‘as built’ assessments. The ‘new
house’ NatHERS requirements must be equivalent to ‘existing house’
requirements. Discrepancies between the design assessment and later assessments will no
doubt lead to disputes.
• The system needs to be designed to ensure there is no confusion created in the market. There
are a number of existing star-rating schemes across the states and territories, so ensuring they
are not competing or contradictory is important.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at alex.waldren@masterbuilders.com.au.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Waldren
National Director, Industry Policy
Master Builders Australia
