Built for what's next
Green Star Buildings is Australia’s trusted sustainability rating tool for new buildings and major refurbishments. Since launch, over 700 projects have been using v1 as their roadmap to deliver better, healthier and more responsible places — and v1.1 builds on that foundation.
Developed in close collaboration with industry, it continues the natural evolution of Green Star by sharpening the focus on climate action, nature and circularity, and introducing new flexibility to make certification more accessible.
It’s a practical, future-focused update, shaped by five years of project experience, policy alignment, and feedback from the people delivering buildings today.
Whether you’re registering your first Green Star project or raising the bar again, v1.1 keeps you aligned with what’s next.
What's new in v1.1
We’ve introduced targeted updates across key areas.
Building on strong climate foundations
The Climate Positive Pathway now reflects the advances industry has made with electrification. All-electric buildings are now a Minimum Expectation, and there are more ways to demonstrate energy efficiency and to use electricity at times when the grid is at its greenest.
Bringing nature to the forefront
Green Star Buildings v1.1 introduces a new Nature Positive Pathway from 2028, helping project teams actively enhance biodiversity, and report on nature-related metrics.
Circular design gets a boost
A new Design for Circularity credit rewards project teams for making circular choices from day one — driving smarter material use, adaptability, and reuse.
More clarity, less friction
Usability improvements provide clearer guidance and language to reduce interpretation risk across the tool. Several credits now offer stepped point structures to allow more projects to be recognised for performance between levels.
Aligned with policy, backed by industry
Green Star Buildings v1.1 supports upcoming regulatory moves on carbon disclosure, circular economy and nature reporting (TNFD). It also aligns with NCC 2022 and the NABERS Embodied Carbon tool.
Simpler access to sustainable finance
All buildings rated under Green Star Buildings v1.1 - no matter the star rating - are aligned with the climate mitigation new construction criteria in the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
Explore the updates in detail
The Climate Positive Pathway in v1.1 now reflects the advances industry has made.
- All-electric buildings are now a Minimum Expectation, reflecting industry standard.
- Energy efficiency is separated from on-site renewables, encouraging genuine demand reduction
- Building systems and equipment are selected for lower-impact refrigerants, with consideration for how replacement options will impact the building’s design
- Biogenic storage and nature-based offsets are recognised separately, similar to NABERS, in a more transparent, tiered Upfront Carbon Compensation credit
- Embodied carbon reporting is aligned with NABERS, helping standardise data and improve benchmarking
The infographic shows the key requirements at a glance. For full requirements, please see the Submission Guidelines.
From 1 January 2028, a new Nature Positive Pathway will come into effect, giving project teams clear steps to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of creating a nature-positive built environment.
- Projects pursuing a 5 or 6 Star rating must demonstrate a 10% net gain in biodiversity (when registering from 2028).
- All projects will be required to report nature-related metrics in line with TNFD’s draft guidance.
This infographic shows the key requirements at a glance. Please see the Submission Guidelines for full requirements.
A new Design for Circularity credit encourages reuse, adaptability and smarter material choices from day one. This helps teams get ahead of emerging regulations on circular economy and waste, and improves long-term asset resilience.
Projects have the option of being recognised for implementing circular design strategies or measuring the circularity of key materials in the building. Measured improvements in circularity across the whole building are also rewarded.
Please see the Submission Guidelines for full details.
Green Star Buildings v1.1 introduces stepped points for selected credits with quantitative benchmarks. This allows projects to be recognised for performance achieved between levels.
Stepped points will apply to:
- Responsible Structure
- Responsible Envelope
- Upfront Carbon Reduction
- Upfront Carbon Compensation
- Energy Use (performance pathways only)
- Water Use
- Procurement and Workforce Inclusion
- Biodiversity Enhancement (performance pathway only)
Previously, projects could only earn full points at each level. With stepped points, whole points can now be awarded for performance between benchmarks. This is an example of how it works.
How we're supporting you through the transition
Updated submission guidelines
The new Green Star Buildings v1.1 Submission Guidelines are now officially available. Visit the Green Star Manager to download the latest version today.
Calculators and tools
A full suite of resources will be released to support the transition, including a credit substitution guide, updated guidance for key credits and updated calculators.
A refreshed training program
We’ll be running a refreshed training program to help project teams navigate v1.1. This will include sessions at the Green Building Forum, followed by webinars and updated learning modules.
FAQs
Green Star Buildings v1.1 is now open for registration. During the transition period, projects may choose to register under v1 or v1.1. From 1 May 2026, all new projects will be required to register under v1.1.
Yes. Projects already registered under v1 may apply to upgrade to v1.1, subject to some conditions. Projects wishing to upgrade should apply before lodging their Round 1 submission by submitting an Eligibility Query via the Green Star Manager. The Market Engagement team is available to discuss upgrading your project should you have any questions.
No. Projects already registered under Buildings v1 can continue under that version. However, they are expected to submit for assessment within three years of registration to meet the timing to certify requirements.
No, once an upgrade is approved and processed, it cannot be reverted to an earlier version.
GBCA intends to allow credits from v1.1 to be adopted by v1 projects however is still working through the details of the credit substitution. A guide will be released early next year to confirm this.
The adoption of stepped points in Green Star Buildings v1 is currently being reviewed alongside the details of the credit substitution. A guide will be released early next year to confirm this.
Yes. Projects that are subject to NCC 2019 or an older version of the NCC may register for v1.1 however will be required to comply with the requirements in v1.1 as prescribed i.e. where NCC 2022 is to be used to determine the baseline for specific credits, the relevant sections in NCC 2022 or the latest version must be used.
Submissions for projects registered under v1.1 will be open early next year (2026).
You can start submitting TQs for v.1.1 projects once the registration is finalised (i.e. the online registration application has been lodged, and the certification fee is paid).
Now – 30 April 2026: Projects may register under either Buildings v1 or v1.1.
From 1 May 2026: All new projects must register under Buildings v1.1.
The full requirements, including the updated Climate Positive Pathway and new credits, are outlined in the Green Star Buildings v1.1 Submission Guidelines, available to download in the resources portal, accessible via the Green Star Manager, (for members) or for purchase from the GBCA shop (for non-members).
A full suite of updated resources will be released to support the transition, including a credit substitution guide and a gap analysis between v1 and v1.1. Guidance for key credits and updates to the calculation guides will also be available.
Yes. To start, we encourage project teams to join us at the Green Building Forum to hear directly from the team behind the changes. Following the Forum, GBCA will host webinars and updated training to walk you through the updates in detail. The Green Star Buildings Advanced Course will be updated to reflect the v1.1 requirements.
Transition Journey
Start the journey towards better
Find out more about Green Star Buildings and how it can support your projects.