Green Star FAQs

Yes, projects may exclude emergency lighting from the following criteria where the emergency lighting is not the primary source of lighting in the room, and each regularly occupied area is supplied with a primary light source (e.g. downlights) that meets all criteria requirements: Rating tool Credit Criteria Green Star - Design & As Built,...

No. Under Green Star Buildings, projects that can demonstrate that all contaminated structures or buildings were demolished and fully removed do not need to conduct a Hazardous Materials Survey when targeting the Banned or Highly Toxic Materials Minimum Expectation Criteria. The intent of the criteria is to ensure occupants are not...

***** Updated 17/02/2026 ***** Updated on 17/02/2026 to reflect the process for upgrading to Green Star Buildings v1.1 and the cut off date for Green Star Buildings v1.   The Upgrade Process: 1) Reach out to the GBCA meteam@gbca.org.au and let us know that you are interested in upgrading to Green Star Buildings. The Market Engagement...

Yes, a pro-rata approach to calculating the number of showers required for the number of regular building occupants can be taken per the tables below:  Table 1 – Pro-rata approach for Green Star – Design & As Built and Green Star – Interiors projects  Occupants Showers 0 - 12 1 Unisex 13 - 49 2 50 - 99 3 100...

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...

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. Where a roof terrace or balcony is expected to be occupied or have pedestrian traffic, the roof terrace or balcony must be classified as a hardscape element on the ground floor. 

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...

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, conditionally.  Translucent polycarbonate roof sheeting can be excluded from the calculation of site area percentages under credit 25.0 Heat Island Effect Reduction. The surface area in plan view covered by translucent roof sheeting may be subtracted from the total site area of the project for both the compliant and non-compliant...

The GBCA clarifies that when calculating the Heat Island Effect in line with the credit requirements for the Heat Island Effect Credit, project teams may exclude the skylights from the calculations of the area when assessed in a plan view. Glazing over an atrium or void qualifies as a skylight.  These...

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 cooling properties of artificial water bodies are considered comparable to those of natural water bodies, both having beneficial urban cooling properties contributing to the outcomes of this credit. 

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...