Find an Accredited
ESD Consultant
Near You
We connect homeowners, builders, and developers with accredited energy assessors for NatHERS ratings, BASIX certificates, Section J reports, and more. Every state, every service.
Residential Services
Energy ratings and assessments for homes — new builds, renovations, and existing properties across Australia.
Why Choose Us
Accredited Professionals
Every consultant in our network holds current ABSA, NABERS, or GBCA accreditation and professional indemnity insurance.
Australia-Wide Coverage
From Sydney to Perth, we connect you with local ESD consultants who understand your state's specific requirements.
Fast Turnaround
Most assessments completed within 5-10 business days. Urgent services available for tight DA deadlines.
Competitive Pricing
Get free quotes from multiple accredited consultants. Compare pricing and choose the best fit for your project.
Commercial Services
NCC compliance, energy modelling, and sustainability ratings for commercial buildings and developments.
NSW & BASIX
BASIX certificates, compliance, and requirements for New South Wales building projects.
State-by-State Requirements
Energy efficiency requirements vary by state. Find out what applies to your project.
What Our Clients Say
We needed a NatHERS assessment and BASIX certificate for our new build in Sydney's Inner West. The consultant we were connected with was incredibly responsive, turned the reports around in three days and even suggested design tweaks that saved us money on glazing. Highly recommend this service to anyone building in Sydney.
Sarah M.
Homeowner · Sydney, NSW
Our architect was struggling to meet the 7-star requirement for our renovation in Fitzroy. The ESD consultant we were connected with reviewed the plans and identified practical insulation and glazing changes that brought us from 5.8 to 7.2 stars without significantly increasing the build cost. Excellent expertise and communication throughout.
James T.
Homeowner · Melbourne, VIC
We regularly use this service to connect with ESD consultants for Section J reports on our commercial projects across Brisbane. The consultants are professional, know the regulations inside out and always deliver on time. They've become an essential part of our project workflow.
David R., Building Corp
Builder / Developer · Brisbane, QLD
As first-time builders, the energy rating process was confusing. The consultant we were connected with explained everything clearly, worked directly with our builder and made the whole thing stress-free. We achieved a 7.4-star rating and the report was accepted by council without any issues.
Karen L.
Homeowner · Adelaide, SA
Ready to Get Your Energy Rating Sorted?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from an accredited ESD consultant. We’ll match you with the right professional for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
<p>A NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) assessment rates the energy efficiency of a home's building envelope on a scale of 0 to 10 stars. An accredited assessor uses approved software like FirstRate5 or BERS Pro to model your home's thermal performance, considering insulation, glazing, orientation, ventilation and your local climate zone. The assessment is required for all new residential buildings to demonstrate compliance with the National Construction Code.</p>
<p>From October 2023, the National Construction Code (NCC 2022) requires all new residential buildings to achieve a minimum 7-star NatHERS energy rating. This is an increase from the previous 6-star minimum. Some states may have transitional provisions, so we recommend checking with an accredited ESD consultant for the current requirements in your area.</p>
<p>BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) is a NSW-specific planning requirement for all new residential developments, including new homes, alterations and additions valued over $50,000, and swimming pools/spas over 40,000 litres. A BASIX certificate assesses your project's water, thermal comfort and energy performance and must be submitted with your Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC).</p>
<p>Residential energy ratings typically cost between $600 and $1,500 depending on the complexity of the project, house size and location. Simple single-storey homes are at the lower end, while large or architecturally complex designs cost more. We connect you with accredited ESD consultants who provide competitive quotes tailored to your specific project.</p>
<p>Ideally, you should engage an ESD consultant early in the design process, before plans are finalised. Getting an energy assessment early allows your assessor to suggest cost-effective design improvements that can significantly improve your star rating without expensive changes later. At a minimum, you will need an energy rating before submitting for a building permit or construction certificate.</p>
<p>Section J of the National Construction Code (NCC) sets the energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings, including offices, retail spaces, industrial buildings and public buildings. A Section J report assesses your commercial building's compliance across building fabric, sealing, air-conditioning, lighting, hot water and power. There are two compliance pathways: Deemed-to-Satisfy (prescriptive) and JV3 (performance-based simulation).</p>
<p>Common strategies to improve your star rating include: upgrading insulation (ceiling, walls, floor and under-slab), selecting higher-performance glazing (double glazing, low-E coatings), improving building orientation and window placement, adding external shading to north and west-facing windows, sealing air leaks, and choosing lighter-coloured roof materials. An accredited ESD consultant can model different options and recommend the most cost-effective improvements for your specific design and climate zone.</p>
<p>For a residential energy assessment, you typically need to provide: architectural floor plans (including dimensions), elevations showing window sizes and positions, a site plan showing orientation, a specification or schedule of materials (insulation, glazing, wall and roof construction), and any relevant council or planning requirements. Your ESD consultant will advise on the exact documentation needed for your project.</p>
<p>NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) measures the environmental performance of existing Australian buildings across energy, water, waste and indoor environment. NABERS ratings are mandatory for commercial office buildings above certain size thresholds under the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) program. A NABERS rating benchmarks your building against similar buildings nationwide on a scale of 0 to 6 stars.</p>
<p>A standard residential NatHERS assessment typically takes 3 to 5 business days from receipt of complete plans and specifications. More complex projects, commercial assessments or JV3 modelling may take 1 to 3 weeks. Turnaround times can vary depending on the assessor's workload, so we recommend engaging a consultant early to avoid delays in your building permit timeline.</p>