NatHERS live
NatHERS home energy ratings for existing homes continues to expand following stage 1 of the Scheme’s expansion in July this year. More and more households can access a home energy rating assessment from one of our growing team of accredited Home Energy Rating for existing homes assessors.
This scale up of Home Energy Ratings for existing homes is being supported by the Australian Government’s recent $33 million funding announcement. The ongoing expansion of home energy ratings will help deliver lower energy costs and improve the comfort of homes as outlined in the Built Environment Sector Plan.
NatHERS trial update
The NatHERS for existing homes trial is entering its final stages. Over 1000 trial assessments have been completed on a variety of homes and house types across Australia.
The findings and feedback from assessors and trial partners are helping shape the release of Stage 2 of Home Energy Ratings for existing homes which is due to commence from mid-2026.
During this scale-up period, as trial assessors complete training and gain accreditation, the initial pool of existing homes assessors continues to grow.
Visit the Assessor Register to find an existing homes assessor and learn more about the NatHERS trial.
Assessor training
Existing homes assessor training will be rolled out progressively from early 2026. Initially, it will be made available to assessors already undertaking energy assessments through NatHERS for new homes, the Residential Efficiency Scorecard and the ACT Energy Efficiency Rating disclosure scheme.
To become a Home Energy Rating for existing homes assessor, these professionals will only be required to successfully complete:
- The NatHERS for existing homes specific training unit (‘Conduct NatHERS Assessments for Existing Homes’)
- Training in at least one NatHERS software tool for assessments of existing homes
- CPPCOM4002 Implement safe work practices in the property industry (or equivalent), if not already held.
See the Assessor Toolkit for more information, including training requirements for new to sector assessors from mid-2026.
Software development info session
The NatHERS team co-hosted an event earlier this month with CSIRO colleagues focusing on the development of user interfaces for existing homes ratings.
The session, attended by 30 industry representatives, covered software accreditation requirements and the resources available to help developers create a user interface tool using the CSIRO platform.
A video of the presentation is being shared with attendees. Others who could not attend the event can email UIP@nathers.gov.au to access it.
Software development EOI update
Two Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have now been received from software developers interested in creating a user interface for existing homes ratings. The NatHERS Administrator is processing the second application and working with the developers.
The User Interface Protocol (UIP), published on 8 July 2025, outlines how developers can build tools that help streamline existing homes assessments and improve user experience.
If you are interested in submitting an EOI you can learn more about the open-ended, non-competitive process on the NatHERS website.
Consultation on accreditation protocol for new homes rating software
A public consultation will be held mid next year which will explore replacing the new homes Software Accreditation Protocol (SAP) with the UIP model currently in place for existing homes.
The new UIP model would fulfil the same function as the SAP for new homes, with the benefits of substantially reducing administrative burden and technical complexity.
New applications for accreditation under the SAP have been paused, pending design and consultation on a new UIP model.
Accredited software tools will continue to operate under the current SAP model during the temporary pause.
For queries about next year’s consultation, or the pause on SAP applications, email admin@nathers.gov.au
Stay informed
We will be keeping you informed via this newsletter and the expansion updates page on the website. Keep an eye out for all the latest news on training and accreditation, first and second generation tool releases, and the roll out of assessments.