Sharing, or disclosing a home’s energy rating in real estate advertising provides a simple way to compare the energy efficiency of different homes. It’s like the rating label you see when buying a fridge or washing machine. It helps identify if a home is:
- cheaper to run
- more comfortable to live in, and
- lower in carbon emissions.
A Home Energy Rating Certificate provides information which helps you understand where energy is used. It also includes advice and practical tips on how to upgrade the home to increase the rating, use less energy and be more comfortable.
During sale or lease, this information also helps prospective buyers and renters. They can compare homes and understand the energy efficiency upgrades they could make.
Trialling the disclosure of energy ratings
Disclosure of a Home Energy Rating is when a rating is shared publicly with prospective buyers or renters in sale or lease advertising of a home.
The NSW and Australian governments are currently trailing how a Home Energy Rating can be used and shared during the sale or lease of a property.
The pilot led by NSW, will test the systems outlined in the Home Energy Ratings Disclosure Framework which has been developed by all governments, and a range of other stakeholders.
The framework encourages consistency; by setting the key parameters for disclosure of ratings, should a state or territory government choose to implement disclosure at point of sale or lease.
The pilot will also:
- test training content and resources for real estate agents
- test and refine content and resources for:
- property owners who are about to advertise their property for sale
- property owners who are thinking about selling
- rental providers who are about to advertise their property for lease
- buyer’s agents.
- evaluate the experiences of participants involved in the pilots. This will identify if changes or improvements are needed.
Findings will inform the NSW Government about when to transition to mandatory disclosure of ratings. Mandatory disclosure is when ratings must be shared publicly with potential buyers or renters.
This pilot will also inform all jurisdictions about opportunities for disclosure. State and territory governments are responsible for setting their own requirements in their jurisdiction.
Find out more about the pilot, also known as the Home Energy Rating trial.
Energy Efficiency Ratings in the ACT
The ACT government has had a mandatory disclosure scheme in place for Energy Efficiency Ratings since 1999.
The ACT is not participating in the NSW pilot. Find out more about the ACT mandatory scheme at: Energy efficiency - Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - Planning
How energy ratings work
A Home Energy Rating assessment is completed by an accredited assessor who visits a home to gather data and information. This is used to calculate a rating using Nationwide House Energy Ratings Scheme (NatHERS) accredited software. A Home Energy Rating Certificate is produced for the property owner.
The certificate contains useful information about energy use and generation, as well as how home comfort can be improved. Upgrade guidance for that particular property is also provided.
What is NatHERS
NatHERS is an established and trusted government-backed scheme with nationwide coverage. It provides comparable ratings for existing homes as well as ratings for new homes to help them meet regulatory requirements.
At this early stage of the rollout for existing home ratings, there is currently a limited pool of NatHERS existing homes assessors available.
Keep an eye on the new Assessor Register to see if there may be someone available in your area.
You can also read more about the different types of NatHERS Assessors.
Training and resources for real estate agents
Real estate agents play an important role in the property market. They are uniquely positioned to inform homeowners and buyers about how to understand, display and share a home’s energy rating.
If you are a real estate agent in NSW seeking further information, email the team at: sustainability@environment.nsw.gov.au
More information
If you are a homeowner or renter, these resources can help you improve your home’s energy performance:
- Your Home – can help you with all the latest information on building, buying or renovating an energy efficient, sustainable and comfortable home.
- Energy.gov.au – provides a starting point for households and businesses to find energy information, including a range of government resources and information on rebates.
- Energy Rating – offers information about how you can improve the energy efficiency of appliances to reduce energy use and emissions and to help you save you money.
Stay informed
Sign up for the NatHERS newsletter for alerts about NatHERS expansion updates.
Contact us
Did you find this page useful? How could it be improved?
To provide feedback or ask a question, email the team at: residential.buildings@dcceew.gov.au