Updates to existing home assessor policies and consent forms

As part Stage 2 of the NatHERS expansion for existing homes, there have been updates to the assessor policies and the householder consent forms. 

These updates respond to feedback received since Stage 1 and support assessors to understand their obligations and engage efficiently with clients. The key clarifications include:

• when householder consent must be obtained and who must provide consent. Consent can be obtained once onsite and there is no requirement that all people living in the home need to provide consent.
• that the Client Information and Consent Form must be completed and recorded for all assessments. The form can be converted for electronic or online use but should not be modified.
• assessor obligations to manage personal information and assessment data appropriately. Assessment data and personal information can only be collected and used for certain purposes described in the consent form — to use the data for other purposes (eg, to provide other services or connect clients with other energy businesses), you must have the client sign a separate consent form.
• how to manage conflicts of interest, including that any conflicts must be declared to the client and that the client must provide written acknowledgement of the conflict.
• the use and disclosure of the Home Energy Rating certificate and rating data by the NatHERS Administrator or CSIRO, and how clients can opt-out of having the Home Energy Rating certificate and rating data made public or disclosed.
• that information should be retained for 7 years, unless other laws apply.

To see the updated policies and consent forms, see this page.