Key findings on energy ratings in property listings

Research completed last month (June 2026) on the views of real estate professionals from across Australia has revealed interesting insights into providing home energy ratings to households at the point of sale or lease. 

Those surveyed agreed the ACT’s current mandatory rating disclosure scheme shows that disclosure in the sales and lease process does work. However, jurisdictions that do not currently require compliance reports before a property is listed would need to work out how disclosure would fit into their processes.

Other views from real estate professionals included that:

• cost-sharing models should be explored to reduce sellers’ costs, for example where the buyer reimburses the seller at settlement for the assessment cost
• ratings could be done earlier, for example at the appraisal or renovation permit stage, to reduce pressure on agents and sellers at the point of sale
• disclosure for sales should come first, with ratings disclosed for rentals over time when sold properties that have already been rated enter the rental market, helping avoid additional compliance for property managers
• a preparation phase, including government-led consumer education, should run ahead of, and not alongside, any state or territory mandatory requirements.

This recent research follows initial testing of the settings outlined in the Home Energy Ratings Disclosure Framework (Disclosure Framework) earlier this year.

The Disclosure Framework sets out a national approach for providing home energy ratings to households at the point of sale or lease, which can be implemented by state and territory governments.