Green Star FAQs

Yes. The GBCA requires evidence that the drawings supplied are as constructed, whether they have an ‘As Built’ stamp or not. 'For Construction' drawings are acceptable provided they are accompanied by formal confirmation from the head contractor or other relevant professional(s) that the For Construction drawings depict the site as-built...

Yes. For projects targeting the Reference Building/Fitout Pathway, where the percentage of off-site renewable energy is procured in stages over the length of the supply contract, the effective percentage of the supply contract can be applied. This is done by multiplying the percentage of off-site supply by the percentage of the...

The GBCA has no specific requirement as to when registered projects should submit for a Designed Assessment. Below is some guidance to help establish the best timing for your project. This supplements information provided in the rating tool Submission Guidelines.  Purpose A Designed Assessment (or Design Review under the Legacy rating tools)...

The GBCA recommends that, when a contractor, sub-contractor, consultant, or other party involved in a Green Star registered project is unable to complete project works or provide documentation for the Green Star submission due to insolvency or another unforeseen event, the project team should contact the GBCA as soon as...

Technical questions related to Innovation were previously marked as free of charge. However moving forward Innovation related technical questions will be charged the standard fees of $220 (excl. of GST) as per a technical question. The following is a list of all places in the rating tool where a technical...

Projects may demonstrate compliance with the 'lift idle and standby energy' requirement from the Vertical Transportation criteria by demonstrating that the following energy saving features have been incorporated in the lift specification: Energy efficient Gearless AC Machines with regenerative VVVF drives; Low energy LED lighting; Shutdown of non-essential lighting, screens, etc. when...

Yes. Projects targeting the NatHERS pathway in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit from Green Star - Design & As Built that have air conditioning equipment which isn't covered by the star rating system (AS3823.2-2011 or AS 3823.2-2013, whichever is applicable) or are targeting the Residential pathway in the Energy Use...

Yes, eligible nature based offsets can be used in lieu of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) when targeting the Fuel Switching credit within pathways A, B, D or E of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit from Green Star - Design & As-Built v1.3. Nature based offsets must be from an approved scheme...

Yes. Projects may target 2 points under 15B.2.3 Domestic Hot Water from Green Star - Design & As Built by using an electric heat pump with a minimum COP of 3.5 on the condition that the heat pump will be powered by 100% renewable energy (on-site or off-site).       

Yes.  The GBCA does recognise 'Carbon Neutral Certified' electricity authorised under the National Carbon Offset Standard. This approved carbon neutral electricity is recognised on a 3:1 ratio. That is, for every three energy efficiency points, one point can be claimed for the procurement of carbon neutral electricity on a long term contract. For example, if a...

Yes, a project connected to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) electricity grid may claim the associated benefits in Green Star, when the respective conditions that are met, depending on scenario applicable to the project.    Scenario 1: Green Star - Design & As-Built project designed to operate as All-electric: For the purposes of...

Yes, large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) are accepted in Green Star in the following scenarios; On Site Renewables Electricity from on-site systems where LGCs or STCs are generated. Off Site Renewables  Renewable electricity purchased directly from a generator / retailer through a PPA or contract where LGC’s are provided to user and the LGCs are...

While biogas in some instances can be considered a renewable energy source, it is not currently accepted under Green Star for the purposes of the Fuel Switching credit.  There are two reasons for this: A. If the biogas supply is being provided via another means other than the reticulated network, there...

We’ve developed a short guidance document for project teams on what level of documentation is acceptable for Design Review – Green Star Design & As Built and Green Star – Interiors. This Design Review Guidance provides answers to common questions asked by project teams. The Guidance - Submitting for Design Review document is...

Yes. Project teams using a Market-Based Method approach in line with the 'GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance' amendment of the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard to account for the purchase of 100% off-site renewable energy may claim 100% off-site renewables in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit in Green Star - Design &...

No, Projects registered under the Green Star - Design & As Built  v1, Green Star - Design & As Built  v1.1 or Green Star - Design & As Built  v1.2  cannot target the new credit criterion from Green Star - Design & As Built v1.3. Where a registered Green Star project is...

Class 2 multi-unit residential projects may use a Class 2 NCC just-compliant NatHERs building fabric/envelope load as the reference case for the purposes of credit 15E - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction - Reference Building Pathway. The project team may scale (increase) the annual hourly heating and cooling loads obtained from...

Before achieving certification you can promote your Green Star registered project in writing, but cannot use the Green Star logo or Green Star certification trade mark. The Green Star certification trade mark can only be used once the project is certified. The Marketing and Style Guide explains how Green Star certified projects can...

No. All supported documentation listed for each credit in the Submission Guidelines are suggestions only, unless specified otherwise. Alternate documentation to those listed can be used by project teams to demonstrate credit compliance if it adequately supports the claims made within the Submission Templates.

Documents can be referenced, rather than duplicated in credits, as long as the Submission Templates include both: hyperlinks to the relevant document(s); and references to specific page numbers within the document(s) which demonstrate compliance with the specific credit. Page numbers are likely to change for each credit submission, as appropriate to the credit compliance being demonstrated. Please note...