Becoming an Accredited Assessor

Accredited Assessors have completed relevant training and belong to one of three Assessor Accrediting Organisations (AAOs).

If you are considering becoming an accredited assessor, the benefits include:

• Regular newsletters and updates on industry developments
• On-going support and technical assistance, including Software Technical Notes advice
• Listing your business on AAO websites to help find business
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) support and training
• Feedback and quality assurance processes to assist you in achieving best practice energy ratings.

The NatHERS Administrator also offers free services to accredited assessors, including:

• Training opportunities and events
• Advice on changes to policies and operations and software, and
• Advice on jurisdictional application of energy ratings in building regulations.

Assessor Accrediting Organisations

To practice as a NatHERS Accredited Assessor, you must maintain your accreditation with an Assessor Accrediting Organisation (AAO).

There are three AAOs currently operating in Australia:

ABSA	Design Matters National	HERA

Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations

AAOs operate in accordance with the Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations. As requirements differ between states, you should also contact your relevant state or territory building regulator about any additional requirements.

Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment

All accredited assessors must hold a Certificate IV in one of the following courses:

• Certificate IV in Home Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (Thermal Performance Assessment) – CPP41119
• Certificate IV in Home Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (Home Sustainability Assessment and Thermal Performance Assessment) – CPP41119
• Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment – CPP41212 (no longer available)

Course details can be found by searching either the name or code on the MySkills website search. 

To achieve consistent and reliable outcomes it is important that accredited software is used correctly by assessors. In addition to the Certificate IV, accredited assessors also require a minimum level of understanding in building construction, building thermal performance and applicable building regulations.

The Certificate IV has a national focus, and is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, allowing assessors to work anywhere across Australia. Training organisations are able to deliver the course through the Vocational Education and Training system.

Whole of Home Training

To support new energy efficiency requirements in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022, NatHERS now incorporates a new Whole of Home annual energy use budget. 

Whole of Home training has been delivered via a series of two webinars: an overview and a technical module, over the past six months (March-August 2023).

Recordings of both training sessions are now available on the NatHERS YouTube channel and also here on the NatHERS training page. 

Becoming certified 

The online technical module which focuses on updates to the NatHERS Technical Note is mandatory for all professionals who want to become certified for Whole of Home assessments. Follow the steps below to become certified:

1. Access the recorded NatHERS Whole of Home technical training session [insert link here].
2. Complete the session (this will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes).
3. Take the quiz at the end of the session. Once you pass this; you will receive a certificate.
4. Email your certificate to your AAO.
5. Your AAO will register you as a certified Whole of Home assessor and credit you CPD points for completing this training. 

Read more about software specific training here.

New assessors

For new assessors, Whole of Home training will be delivered through the Certificate IV training ‘Using Accredited Software’.

There are four accredited software tools, each with different user interfaces and functions. You will need to decide which software tool best meets your needs.

For information on using accredited software, see the software page.

For a demonstration of a Whole of Home assessment that was developed for the NatHERS 2021 consultation, see this video.

Additional details on the Whole of Home National Assessor Accreditation and Training Strategy can be found here.

Resources for Assessors

NatHERS Technical Note

To ensure ratings are conducted consistently, assessors using accredited software tools must follow the NatHERS Technical Note (updated September 2023) when undertaking assessments for regulatory purposes.

Ratings for regulatory purposes must also satisfy relevant state and territory legislation. This legislation overrides the Technical Note in the event of any inconsistency.

The Technical Note provides the processes for conducting a NatHERS assessment when demonstrating compliance with the deem-to-satisfy NatHERS pathway of the National Construction Code.

NatHERS Assessor Handbook

The NatHERS Assessor Handbook has been developed by the NatHERS Administrator in conjunction with industry experts. It is designed to help assessors navigate the energy assessment process. It provides additional guidance to support the Technical Note.

Assessors undertaking NCC 2022 assessments requiring more detail on thermal bridging can access the Thermal Bridging Guidance note.

Assessors undertaking Whole of Home assessments can also access the NatHERS Whole of Home Guidance Note.

Using the NatHERS trade mark and logo

The Scheme name, NatHERS acronym, logo and rating image are registered trade marks.

The NatHERS Trade Mark Guidelines outline who is eligible to use these trade marks, the approval process and conditions of use. This includes guidance for NatHERS accredited assessors seeking approval to use the logo in promotional materials.

All parties intending to use the NatHERS trade marks for any purpose, are to read and adhere to the NatHERS Trade Mark Guidelines.