NABERS is Australia’s national system for measuring the actual operational performance of buildings. Unlike design-led rating tools, NABERS looks at how a building is really performing once it is occupied – using real data on energy, water, waste and indoor environment quality.
It is widely used to benchmark, compare and improve the ongoing performance of commercial buildings, and plays a central role in Australia’s transition toward lower-carbon, more efficient building operations.
The ratings for NABERS are based on verified operational data, typically covering a full year. As a result, NABERS is often used alongside design-led systems (such as Green Star) to close the gap between intent and reality.
What it measures
NABERS is outcomes-focused. It rates buildings based on measured performance, not design intent.
Depending on the rating type, it measures:
Energy: Actual energy use, normalised for climate, building type and hours of operation
Carbon: Operational greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use
Water: Measured water consumption and efficiency
Waste: Waste generation and diversion from landfill
Indoor environment quality (IEQ): Air quality, thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics (where assessed)
Operational performance: How efficiently a building is run over a 12-month period
Ratings are expressed on a 0–6 star scale, with higher stars indicating stronger performance relative to similar buildings.
What it doesn't measure
NABERS has a deliberately narrow scope.
It does not assess:
Embodied carbon or material lifecycle impacts
Material sourcing, toxicity or circularity
Design quality or architectural merit
Construction practices
Social sustainability or occupant wellbeing beyond IEQ metrics
Future performance potential – only past, measured outcomes
A high NABERS rating reflects how a building has performed, not how it was designed or what it is made from.
Who it’s for
NABERS is primarily used by:
Building owners and asset managers
To benchmark performance and identify efficiency improvements
Commercial tenants
As a signal of running costs, comfort and operational quality
Developers
To demonstrate operational credibility post-completion
Government and large organisations
For procurement, leasing and minimum performance requirements
Facilities managers
As a practical tool for continuous improvement
It is most commonly applied to commercial offices, but also covers hotels, shopping centres, data centres, schools and hospitals.
Geographic relevance
Australia-specific
NABERS is calibrated to Australian climate zones, energy grids and building use patternsMandatory in some contexts
Required for certain government-owned or leased buildingsNot transferable internationally
While respected globally, NABERS ratings cannot be directly compared to overseas systems
