Stay current, credible, and recognisable with the Green Star CPD Program
The Green Star Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program provides a clear pathway for industry professionals to build and maintain expertise in the Green Star rating system.
Stand out in the market
Accreditation signals to clients and employers that you have verified expertise in applying Green Star, giving you and your organisation a genuine competitive edge when tendering or pitching for work.
Credentials you can show off
Receive an official certificate and accreditation logo to display on your LinkedIn, work profiles, and tender documents — so your expertise is visible wherever it matters most.
Contribute to real projects
As a GSAP you can claim the industry credit point on any Green Star project you work on — directly adding value to your clients' ratings through your involvement
Join a searchable directory
Get listed in the Green Star Accredited Professional Directory — putting you in front of project teams and organisations actively seeking qualified professionals.
The CPD deadline is approaching
Earn your CPD points by 30 June to maintain your Green Star accreditation.
Not sure how many points you need?
Log in to your portal to see how many points you currently have and see the requirements below to explore the many ways to earn points including online learning, events, and Green Star project work.
How to become accredited
Firstly, you need to select the level of accreditation that best reflects how you engage with Green Star, and which Green Star tool you would like to become accredited in.
Green Star Associate (GSA)
Support sustainable design, construction and operations
GSA accreditation is for professionals who contribute to sustainable design, construction, and operations but aren’t directly leading Green Star project submissions. GSAs play a strong role in driving organisational commitment to sustainability and communicating its value.
To become accredited
Step 1: Attend a Green Star foundations course
Step 2: Attend a Green Star advanced course for the Green Star tool you wish to become accredited in.
Step 3: Enrol into the CPD program in your portal
Your CPD points will automatically be uploaded into your portal where you can download your certificate and GSA logo.
Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP)
Lead and deliver Green Star certified projects
GSAPs are at the forefront of sustainability in the built environment. You’ll have the knowledge to lead project teams, manage submissions, and engage directly with the Green Star assessment process.
To become accredited
Step 1: Attend a Green Star foundations course
Step 2: Attend a Green Star advanced course for the Green Star tool you wish to become accredited in.
Step 3: Enrol into the CPD program in your portal
Step 4: Take the GSAP online exam within your portal.
Step 5: Pass the GSAP online exam within one month of completing the advanced course.
Your CPD points will automatically be uploaded into your portal where you can download your certificate and GSAP logo. You will be added to the Green Star Accredited Professional Directory once you opt in and update your profile
Your first year’s CPD enrolment
Your first year’s enrolment in the CPD program is included in your Green Star Advanced course fee, there is no additional charge.
Your enrolment in the CPD program starts on the date GBCA receives payment for your courses and ends 30 June of that financial year. However, if you enrol between 1 April and 30 June, your enrolment automatically extends to 30 June of the following year, giving you more than 12 months in your first enrolment.
How to maintain your accreditation each year
The CPD program runs by financial year. To remain accredited, you must earn the minimum CPD points for your Green Star accreditation level by 30 June each year.
Green Star qualification
Minimum CPD points required by annum
Green Star Associate
8
*Including a minimum of 4 Green Star points
Green Star Accredited Professional
15
*Including a minimum of 5 Green Star points
*CPD points exceeding the minimum Green Star point requirement can be earned as sustainable development points
You will then need to re-enrol in the CPD program within your portal and pay your annual CPD re-enrolment fee between 1 July and 30 September. For group enrolments over 10, please contact Education@gbca.org.au.
Annual re-enrolment fees
Ways to earn CPD points
In your first year, CPD point requirements are pro-rated based on your enrolment date. Points exceeding the minimum Green Star points requirement can contribute towards your total CPD point requirement.
CPD points fall into two categories: Green Star points (GBCA-delivered activities) and Sustainable Development points (broader sustainable learning). The table beside is a guide only, final allocations are determined by GBCA in accordance with the CPD Policy.
Green Star Points
GBCA Courses
CPD points for GBCA courses are automatically added to your portal
Green Star foundations | 4 points
Green Star advanced | 5–6 points
Online courses | 2–4 points
Webinars* | 1–2 points
Green Star on-demand learning* | 1–2 points
Presenting at a GBCA course | 1 point/ course
*Please note: not all GBCA webinars or on-demand learning offer a Green Star point. Please refer to the individual course listing for details.
GBCA Events
CPD points for GBCA events are automatically added to your portal.
Site tours & FGL events | 1 point/ hour
TRANSFORM Conference (held in March annually) | 8 points
Green Building Forum (held in October/November annually) | 6 points
Presenting at a GBCA event | 1 point/ course
Green Star Project Work
Green Star project work listed below must be submitted for CPD point approval, unless you are a Green Star Assessor or part of a Technical, Advisory, or Expert panel, which is automatically recognised.
Participation in a registered Green Star project* | 1 point/ project
Project achieving Green Star certification in the current financial year*| 2 points/ project
*Limited to 3 projects per year.
Green Star Assessor | 1 point/ assessment
Technical / Advisory / Expert Panel participation | 1 point/ 6-month period
Sustainable Development Points
External Non-GBCA Learning
All external (non-GBCA) learning activities listed below must be submitted for CPD point approval via your portal.
Face-to-face conferences & courses | 1 point/ hour | max 6 points (single day) / 8 points (multi-day)
University or TAFE study | 6 points/ subject | max 10 points
Online eLearning | 1 point/ hour | max 8 points
Presenting or facilitating | 1 point/ hour | max 10 points
Authoring an industry article | 2 points
Authoring a book | 6 points
Sustainable site tour (educational) | 1 point/ visit
Upcoming Courses & Events
6 events found.
Events
List of events in Photo View
If you have any questions about the CPD program, please contact us via email Education@gbca.org.au.
You can also view the FAQs below for more information.
FAQs
Getting started & enrolment
Where can I find upcoming Green Star foundations and advanced courses?
Head to our What’s on page and filter for Green Star courses to find our upcoming courses. We run the Green Star foundations and Green Star advanced Buildings course every month. We run Green Star advanced courses in Green Star Performance V2, Communities V2 and Fitouts twice per year. Make sure you opt into receiving our weekly newsletters in your portal for the latest course updates.
How do I know if I am enrolled in the CPD program?
Head to your portal at CPD Program > CPD overview. If you are enrolled, you will see a banner that says “You are enrolled in the CPD program” and your accreditation level.
How do I find my GSAP exam?
The GSAP exam can be found on your GBCA Portal > Courses & events > on-demand
What does the GSAP online exam include?
It’s a 50 question multiple choice, open book exam designed to test your knowledge of the submission guidelines (provided with your advanced course booking). You have 1 month to complete from your advanced course and 2 hours to complete once started.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You will have a second attempt at the exam should you fail.
How do I opt in to be included in the GSAP Directory?
Once you have passed your GSAP exam and enrolled in the CPD program, you will be eligible to be part of the GSAP directory. Simply log into your Portal and go to the CPD portal > GSAP directory profile section to opt in to show your profile and update your details for the directory.
Once I receive accreditation, am I accredited for all Green Star tools?
No, you only receive accreditation in the Green Star tool in the Green Star advanced course you attended. To become accredited in another Green Star tool, you will need to undertake the advanced course, and exam in the case of GSAP, for any other Green Star tool you wish to become accredited in.
How do I find my GSA or GSAP certificate and logos?
Head to your Portal > Profile > Certificates and logos. You can also find your course and event attendance, exam completion certificates and GSA/GSAP logos to promote your accreditation.
I enrolled in the CPD program for the first time in April, how long is my free enrolment?
If you enrol from April to June, your CPD enrolment will roll over to the following CPD period. For example, if you participated in your Green Star advanced course, passed your GSAP exam, and enrolled in the program in April 2026, your CPD enrolment would cover April 2026 – end of June 2027 and you would have a minimum points requirement of 18 (with at least 6 Green Star points)
Earning & managing CPD points
What is the difference between Green Star and Sustainable Development points?
Green Star points – points are earned through GBCA-run course, event or Green Star project work.
Sustainable development points – points earned through activities outside of the GBCA that demonstrate a continued learning in broader sustainability education.
How do I claim my CPD points?
CPD points will be automatically assigned should you attend a GBCA course, event or a Green Star assessor or part of an expert group. Please submit for Green Star project work and sustainable development points in your portal in CPD program > CPD points request Please refer to the ‘ways to earn’ section above for detail on each CPD activity.
Where do I find my points tally?
Head to your portal CPD Program > CPD overview
I attended a GBCA course/event, so why are my points not appearing?
Check that the invoice has been paid. The point will automatically appear after payment is received. If you attended an on-demand course, ensure that you passed the quiz to earn your CPD points. If you’re still not seeing your points, please contact the education team.
I submitted a CPD points request for a sustainable development point, but I can't see it in my points tally?
You will receive an email notification when you submit a CPD points request and when it has been approved. It can take up to 5 days to approve your points so please wait until the 5 days. If you still don’t see an approval notification, please contact the education team.
Which activities do not qualify for CPD points?
- Reading articles in industry publications or journals
- Attending roadshows, exhibitions, or sales presentations
- Research activities
- Ad hoc site visits
- Project work that is not Green Star
- Networking events
- Courses that aren’t related to sustainability in the built environment
Can I claim CPD points from courses/events I attended last financial year?
No. If you were enrolled into the CPD program last financial year, CPD points from courses/events would have already contributed to your accreditation for that year.
Is there a record of the courses/events I attended last financial year?
You can find courses & events you’ve taken since July 2024 in the portal in Course & event bookings > Past courses & events. For any courses prior to that, please see a link at the bottom of the page to your historical booking and attendance information.
Meeting requirements & renewals
How do I know if I've met my minimum CPD points requirement?
Head to your portal at CPD Program > CPD overview. If you have met your minimum CPD points requirement, you will see a banner that says “Congratulations, you have met your minimum CPD points requirement”
What if I don't meet the minimum CPD points requirement by 30 June?
If you haven’t accrued the minimum CPD points by 30 June, your accreditation will lapse and you will need to cease any reference to being accredited. If your accreditation remains lapsed for more than 24 months, you’ll need to meet all eligibility requirements again before you can re-enrol.
If I've exceeded the minimum CPD points requirements, do my excess CPD points roll over to the next CPD period?
The CPD program is designed to recognise continued learning in each year therefore CPD points will not roll over to the new CPD period.
What if I'm taking extended leave?
If you are taking extended leave due to parental leave, long service leave, taking a career break or serious illness, you are eligible to pro-rata your CPD points for a maximum of one year.
Please provide a letter from your employer confirming the dates of your leave to the education team and we will update your enrolment. Note re-enrolment fees are not pro-rated and can be paid when you return from leave should your leave overlap with the re-enrolment period.
I am working part-time, am I able to prorate my CPD points?
To maintain the integrity of the CPD program, all CPD participants must meet the same minimum CPD points requirements each year regardless of working hours.