Green Star FAQs

Yes. A project may test a whole building according to AS/NZS ISO 9972 Method 2 where diagnostic techniques are used to highlight performance differences related to HVAC. Techniques in standards such as ASTM E1186 may be used to document leakage, or, comparative quantitative measurements can be used to highlight performance differences. All...

Yes, projects targeting Credit 5.1.1B Certified Operational Performance Rating using the Green Star - Performance pathway must demonstrate a commitment to Green Star Performance v2. This is due to all new projects being required to register under Green Star Performance v2 from 1 January 2025 onwards, therefore commitments to Green...

Yes.  Projects may exclude unconditioned warehouse areas from airtightness testing requirements in the Commissioning and Tuning criteria from Green Star Buildings v1, or the credit criterion 2.2.3 Air Permeability Performance Testing from Green Star - Design & As Built, where these warehouse spaces are not conditioned by any equipment. All other...

No, all apartments are not required to be tested for air-tightness in Green Star. Project teams may test a minimum of 10 dwelling units or 10% of the total number of dwelling units, whichever is greater as sample units to satisfy the Testing Area Requirements. The sample units selected must include: A representative...

Yes, as an alternative to using AS5334:2013 'Climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure - A risk based approach', project teams may use ISO 14090:2019 'Adaptation to climate change - Principles, requirements and guidelines' and ISO 14091:2021 'Adaptation to climate change - Guidelines on vulnerability, impacts and risk assessment' when...

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...

Yes, a project may utlise a dedicated online facilities management system designed to coordinate building information in lieu of a traditional fitout log book on the condition that the online system: Provides similar functionality to a log book developed in line with CIBSE TM31 Building Log Book Toolkit; Covers all nominated systems;...

Yes. Green Star Accredited Professionals (GSAPs) who have a valid accreditation under the Green Star Buildings GSAP program may use this certification when targeting Credit 1 - Green Star Accredited Professional for the Green Star - Design & As Built rating tools. 

Projects pursuing whole building airtightness testing may target one (1) point through Market Transformation under Green Star - Design & As Built in the Innovation category.  It cannot be used for Green Star Buildings Leadership. Note that, when targeting this Market Transformation point through Green Star - Design & As Built,...

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...

When pursuing the "Supplementary or Tenancy Fitout Systems Review credit"  under the Improving on Green Star Benchmarks Innovation pathway, the following are documentation requirements apply:   Design Review Submission Submission Template CV of the project’s Commissioning Agent; and Confirmation from the building owner that indicates the building owner’s commitment to incorporate the Supplementary or Tenancy...

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...

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...

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...