Climate Resilient Homes

Beyond 6-star for new homes

There’s been no substantive increase in efficiency performance requirements for new homes since the current 6-star standard was introduced in 2010. More than half the homes standing in 2050 will have been built after 2019, meaning today’s standards will continue to influence liveability for millions of Australians for decades to come.

We can’t afford to miss the next opportunity to raise standards for new homes in the 2022 update of the National Construction Code.

Industry leaders are already building higher performing homes with annual energy bills of less than $500 (representing savings of more than $2,000 a year) for as little as $6,000 additional cost (often much less). In many cases, a 1-star improvement can be achieved through better design alone.

Small business leading the way

Bringing existing homes up to scratch

The vast majority of Australian homes were built before minimum efficiency regulations were introduced in 2003, and average only 1.7 stars in terms of energy efficiency. Without action, this large stock of homes will continue to impose significant energy hardship, health and climate risks into the future. Efficiency upgrades for the average home could cut household energy bills by up to $1,300 a year depending on region.

People on low incomes, renters and social housing tenants are more likely to live in poor quality housing and rely on inefficient appliances that are cheap to buy but expensive to run. But those most in need are typically locked out of access to efficiency upgrades because they can’t afford the upfront costs, face language, cultural or other barriers, or rent their homes. Renters face a ‘split incentive’ whereby landlords have little incentive to invest in efficiency because the benefits largely go to tenants.

We’re working with our community coalition partners to call for a range of policy measures to drive improvements in our existing housing. These include setting minimum efficiency standards for rental homes, requiring homes for sale to disclose their efficiency rating, raising appliance standards and improving information and incentives for households.