Reliable national ratings

A trusted way to compare dwelling types

Home Energy Ratings provide a nationally consistent benchmark that allows professionals to understand and compare the energy performance of different homes. They are also a valuable tool to verify that a property meets the standards required for a green loan.

Home Energy Ratings are developed and maintained by the NatHERS Administrator and CSIRO, to ensure national consistency and quality assurance. They provide a trusted source for both regulatory compliance and market analysis.

Rating types

There are two types of Home Energy Rating assessments – those for new homes and those for existing homes. 

New homes assessments are for homes or major renovations that are yet to be constructed and based on house plans. 

Existing homes assessments are for homes already built. 

Each assessment provides two ratings that together indicate how much energy a home uses and how efficiently the energy is used. For more information on how ratings work, see Understanding Home Energy Rating.

Why ratings matter for valuers and lenders

Ratings provide a standardised way to understand how a home is likely to perform over time. 

A higher rating generally indicates lower expected energy costs, which supports affordability, as well as improved comfort for occupants. From a valuation perspective, this can contribute to stronger demand, improved marketability and more stable long-term value. 

By contrast, a lower rating generally indicates higher expected energy costs and reduced comfort for occupants, particularly in extreme temperatures.

Comparing a property’s rating against local averages helps to identify whether it performs above or below the typical housing stock. This allows ratings to be integrated alongside other financial considerations such as location, dwelling age, renovation history and construction quality.

Rental markets are also responding, with higher-performing homes attracting tenants faster, offering potential for improved value for owners and better prospects for retaining longer term tenants.

For valuers, recognising how Home Energy Rating assessments influence demand ensures valuations better reflect today’s buyer and renter preferences. 

For lenders, this insight helps in evaluating risk, identifying opportunities and supporting products that encourage investment in energy efficient housing.