The NSW and Australian Governments are making it easier to understand how energy efficient a home is.
In NSW, we’re introducing a new scheme where people selling or leasing homes can choose to share a home’s energy rating. This is called voluntary disclosure of home energy ratings. It’s important because it helps buyers and renters know how much energy the home might use, and how much it might cost to run. It could also make the home more attractive, which will benefit people selling and leasing properties.
This is a key action under the Consumer Energy Strategy.
Why home energy ratings are important
Home energy ratings show how well a home stays warm or cool and how much energy it’s likely to use. They’re like the star ratings you see on appliances like fridges or washing machines. Many homes, especially older ones, don’t have this information.
Knowing a home’s energy rating helps people to:
- choose a more comfortable, energy efficient home
- understand how much the home costs to run
- understand the greenhouse gas emissions the home produces
- feel empowered to make energy efficient upgrades to save on energy costs and improve the homes comfort.
The Australian Government is expanding home energy ratings for all homes. Visit the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) website to learn more about the rollout and find an accredited assessor near you.
How the rollout will work in NSW
- From September 2025
We’ll run a series of trials to help design a scheme that works well and is fair for everyone. This will include live testing, research projects and targeted stakeholder engagement with industry groups.
- From mid-2026
We’ll start the voluntary rollout of home energy rating disclosure in NSW. This rollout will include everything we’ve learnt from the trials.
- Later (date to be determined)
We’ll aim to transition to mandatory disclosure once we’ve reviewed the voluntary rollout and the market is ready. This would mean the home’s energy rating must be shared publicly with potential buyers or renters when it’s advertised for sale or lease.
This work is led by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, with help from other government agencies and industry partners.
The home energy rating trial
Our first trial will be with the real estate sector. It will run from September to late 2025, led by our research partner Instinct and Reason.
This trial is run in partnership with the Australian Government. What we learn in the trials will help shape the future of home energy ratings in NSW and across Australia.
We’ve worked with the real estate sector to create training and resources about home energy ratings to empower real estate agents to have conversations with their clients. If you work in real estate and want to learn more or get access to training materials, please contact us.
Eligibility for the trial
We’re working with a small select group of real estate agents and property managers to deliver this trial.
If you’re selling, buying or leasing your property in the next 4 - 6 months with a participating agent or property manager, they may invite you to participate in the trial.
If you choose to participate, they’ll guide you through the process and arrange for an accredited home energy assessor to visit your home. It’s a similar process to getting a building or pest inspection.
More information for participating households is available in the frequently asked questions below.
Contact us
For more information about this trial or the other trial projects, please contact [email protected].
Frequently asked questions for participating households
If you have been approached by your real estate agent or property manager to participate, here’s what you need to know.
Participating in the trial requires minimal effort. You’ll need to:
- be home during the assessment (depending on the size of your house, this usually takes up to 2 hours). You could also send a representative like your property manager to attend the assessment.
- agree to share your Home Energy Rating Certificate with the NSW Government for research and monitoring
- provide feedback about your experience.
You’ll also need to complete two consent forms – one provided by your real estate agent or property manager to participate in the trial and the other from your accredited home energy assessor about the home energy rating assessment. The consent forms explain how your information will be collected, used and stored.
After your free home energy assessment, you’ll receive:
- A Home Energy Rating Certificate showing your home energy rating and upgrade guidance. You can learn more about the certificate on the NatHERS website.
- Practical tips for upgrades to save on energy costs and improve the comfort of your home.
By participating in the trial, you’ll also help inform the design of a future program that will benefit householders across NSW.
Only NatHERS accredited home energy assessors will conduct the assessment during this trial. Accredited home energy assessors are professionals and follow strict standards under a code of practice.
You can check they are accredited on the NatHERS assessor register
During the visit, the accredited home energy assessor will inspect all areas of your home. This includes attached garages and shading structures.
To help the process runs smoothly:
- make sure all rooms and areas are easily accessible and free of clutter
- secure any pets and open window coverings for clear visibility
- provide information and evidence for recent upgrades, such as insulation improvements or receipts for renovations (if available).
Disclosure of your rating is voluntary. You’re not obligated to share your rating with potential purchasers or renters, if you choose not to. Don’t worry if you get a low rating. Most homes in NSW were built before modern building standards were introduced and will likely have a low home energy rating.
As part of the home energy rating assessment, the NatHERS accredited assessor will collect property information. Your property’s data will be held by the NatHERS administrator.
Our research partner will collect some personal information. This way you can provide feedback about your experience (through surveys, interviews and/or focus groups). They will also tell you about how your privacy and household data is managed during the trial.
The feedback you provide about your experience will help shape the future roll-out of home energy ratings.
If you have privacy related concerns, or wish to request removal of your personal information, please contact [email protected].
The trial is only available to a limited number of home buyers, sellers and rental providers who are clients of selected real estate agencies trained in Home Energy Ratings and participating in the trial. If you are not already working with one of these agencies, you won’t be able to take part in the trial.
NatHERS provides reliable home energy ratings and information on how to improve the energy performance of Australian homes. NatHERS is currently expanding to provide ratings for existing homes. Visit the NatHERS website to read about the expansion and availability of assessors.