Green Star FAQs

Yes, Green Star projects can claim off-site renewable energy procurement within module A5 and B6 of the LCA for the Life Cycle Impact credit in Green Star Buildings. Off-site renewable energy is to be procured in line with the requirements outlined in the GBCA's Climate Positive Buildings and Net Zero Ambitions...

For the purposes of credit 21.1D Product Transparency and Sustainability - Third Party Certification in Green Star - Design & As Built and Green Star - Interiors, the Responsible Products Guidelines may be used in lieu of GBCA's legacy framework for "Third Party Certfication". The following Responsible Products Value (RPV)...

Products that have any of the recognised PVC related initiatives in the Responsible Products Score Checker are considered to comply with the Best Practice Guidelines for PVC criteria in credit 20 Responsible Building Materials from Green Star - Design & As Built v1.3 and Green Star - Interiors v1.3. The...

For the purposes of credit 20.1.0 Responsible Steel Maker in Green Star - Design & As Built, steel manufacturers are no longer required to be a member of the World Steel Association's (WSA) Climate Action Programme (CAP). Steel making facilities are only required to have a currently valid and certified...

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...

Yes.  For Green Star projects, targeting Climate Active Upfront Carbon Neutral Certification (Upfront Carbon Emissions) through Green Star Buildings or Green Star - Design & As Built using the Upfront Carbon Emissions credit, the quantity of material data is to be verified by a reviewer that meets any one the following...

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...

With regards to timber certified to Responsible Wood,  For Green Star Buildings, only timber that has been certified under Responsible Wood, AS-NZS 4708:2021 is recognised under the Responsible Products Framework.  For the New Generation Rating tools listed below, both timber certified to AS-NZS 4708:2013 and AS-NZS 4708:2021 can be used when targeting...

Fixed Benchmark Pathway (22A) Projects teams delivering a Green Star rated Interiors project within a Green Star Design & As Built rated base building may aggregate the base building and fitout construction and demolition waste to determine the maximum waste allowance based on the combined GFA and NLA. Up to one (1)...

Yes, in addition to initiatives recognised under the 'Product certification schemes assessment framework', initiatives recognised under the new Responsible Products Framework are also recognised for the Sustainable Products credit in Green Star - Design & As Built and Green Star - Interiors.  Additional Level A schemes Individual schemes classified as 'Good Practice' or...

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, in most cases. Projects may use the same materials for the 'Life Cycle Assessment', 'Responsible Building Materials' and 'Sustainable Products' credits. The products or materials which are being used to claim points for the 'Sustainable Products' credit must have an additional Transparency or Sustainability Initiative in addition to meeting the...

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...

No. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is the nation’s authority on sustainable buildings, communities and cities. We rate the sustainability of buildings and communities through Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic rating system – Green Star. The GBCA does not rate products.  However, for the purpose of targeting certain credits,...

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...

Yes, the full cost (100%) of the 'FSC Mix' certified product may be used to demonstrate compliance. The product must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) does not normally certify Green Star projects outside of Australia. If you believe your project should be considered as an exception circumstance, please complete an Eligibility query and provide details of your project and why this should be considered for Green Star certification. Alternatively, we...