In its second year, Green Building Forum is the evolution of Green Building Day. The program examines the trends impacting our industry today with deeper technical insights, greater focus on practical Green Star application and enhanced networking opportunities.
Group discounts:
Groups of 3-6 receive a 10% discount and are bookable through our website.
Groups of 7+ or groups of any size across multiple cities, please contact us directly at education@gbca.org.au.
Future Green Leaders:
The Future Green Leader discount is offered in addition to member and group discounts. If you are a Future Green Leader, please apply the code GBFFGL in the cart to receive 20% off your booking. Other discounts cannot be used in conjunction with Future Green Leader or group discounts.
Please see our booking terms and conditions for further information. Please email us at education@gbca.org.au or call us on 02 8239 6200 if you have any further booking queries.
In its second year, Green Building Forum is the evolution of Green Building Day. The program examines the trends impacting our industry today with deeper technical insights, greater focus on practical Green Star application and enhanced networking opportunities.
Group discounts:
Groups of 3-6 receive a 10% discount and are bookable through our website.
Groups of 7+ or groups of any size across multiple cities, please contact us directly at education@gbca.org.au.
Future Green Leaders:
The Future Green Leader discount is offered in addition to member and group discounts. If you are a Future Green Leader, please apply the code GBFFGL in the cart to receive 20% off your booking. Other discounts cannot be used in conjunction with Future Green Leader or group discounts.
Please see our booking terms and conditions for further information. Please email us at education@gbca.org.au or call us on 02 8239 6200 if you have any further booking queries.
Embodied carbon represents a significant proportion of whole-life building emissions, and is set to climb dramatically by 2050. Eliminating embodied carbon from the supply chain is critical, but the pathways to achieve this are complex, requiring new design thinking, innovative technology, and strong industry collaboration. How can we work together to overcome barriers and accelerate change to remove embodied carbon from the built environment and drive towards a net-zero future?
In this masterclass our speakers will help you understand the scale and importance of focusing on embodied carbon, examine drivers and barriers for reducing it, and explore practical examples of how to reduce this through materials selection, building design and project management.
A combination of experts join us for a panel, hear practical case studies, and join interactive discussion groups that will allow you to take a deep dive into this critical topic.
Join your peers to share experiences, discuss challenges and have your burning questions answered, as we examine how to eliminate embodied carbon from the built environment.
What you’ll learn:
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how to measure embodied carbon, what methodologies and tools are available, and what data to collect
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Discover new innovations in low carbon materials and what manufacturers are doing to further reduce embodied carbon
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Examine availability and supply of reduced carbon materials and how to make smarter choice when selecting materials for projects
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Discuss when to engage and invest in different parts of the supply chain to ensure optimal decarbonised design
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Hear about experiences and lessons learned from managing low embodied carbon projects
Who is it for:
Sustainability practitioners, architects and designers, engineers, project managers, construction and development managers, property owners and investors and anyone in a role driving net zero and ESG initiatives
Speakers:
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Katie Eyles, Sector Lead, NABERS
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Nicole Sullivan, Impact Director, thinkstep-anz
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Katherine Featherstone, Senior Manager – Products & Materials, Green Building Council of Australia
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Hudson Worsley, Chair, MECLA
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Hannah Jones, Sustainability Lead, TTW
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Bronte Kerley, Sustainability Consultant, AECOM
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David Bell, Manager Sustainability & Insights, Infrabuild
Launched in February 2025, Green Star Communities v2 is a comprehensive rating tool designed to guide the planning, design and delivery of master planned precincts and communities. It responds to the evolving needs of the built environment by promoting healthy, resilient and thriving places for people to live, work, learn and connect.
This course is a must-have for professionals planning to use this new version of the rating tool. By completing this training, you will be positioned to confidently deliver projects seeking recognition of sustainability outcomes through Green Star.
We will explore the most significant credits and share practical guidance for using the rating tool.
This course will cover:
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the category framework
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credit structure and scoring mechanism
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minimum expectations
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the annual assessment cycle
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significant credits
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tips from assessors
What’s included in the course:
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online learning modules
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Green Star Communities v2 submission guidelines
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enrolment into the CPD program
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access to the online Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) exam
*Please note, capacity is capped so we can deliver a collaborative course with opportunities for discussion throughout.
Accreditation pathway
It is essential to complete the Green Star foundations course prior to attending any advanced rating tool training courses.
This advanced course is the next step to becoming a Green Star Accredited Professional in the Green Star Communities v2 rating tool. Find out more about our accreditation pathway here.
FAQ
I am targeting the Green Star Accredited Professional criteria under the Industry Development credit for a Green Star Communities v2 project. Do I need to complete v2 training?
Yes to claim the Industry Development credit in GSCv2, you will need to complete the Advanced day training and pass the online exam.
When must new projects register under Green Star Communities v2?
From 1st July 2026, new projects must register under Green Star Communities v2. During the transition period, projects may choose to register under v2 or Green Star Communities v1.1.
To be considered registered under Green Star Communities v1.1 prior to 1 July, both of the following must be completed by 30 June 2026:
– The Green Star Certification Agreement must be executed by lodging the online project registration application
– The certification fee invoice must be paid.
If you’re planning to register under Green Star Communities v1.1, we recommend starting your registration as soon as possible.
Become an expert in the Green Star Buildings rating tool.
Launched in October 2020, Green Star Buildings is designed for new buildings and major refurbishments. It responds to the critical issues of the next decade by pushing industry to deliver high-efficient buildings, fully powered by renewables.
We will explore the new stepped point structures and usability improvements designed to offer greater clarity and flexibility for project teams and learn what these changes mean for your project pipeline and how to confidently transition from v1 to v1.1
This course is a must-have for professionals currently using this tool or planning to use it in the near future. By completing this training, you will be positioned to confidently deliver projects under this tool.
We will explore the most challenging credits and share practical guidance.
This course will cover:
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the category framework
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the minimum expectations
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credit structure and scoring mechanism
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challenging credits
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net zero carbon pathway
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changes to certification
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tips from asessors
What’s included in the course:
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online learning modules
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an expert-led online live session
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Green Star Buildings submission guidelines
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enrolment into the CPD program
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access to the online Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) exam
*Please note, capacity is capped so we can deliver a collaborative course with opportunities for discussion throughout.
Accreditation pathway

FAQs
Do I have to complete the Green Star Buildings: advanced training?
If you are planning to work on a Green Star Buildings project, we strongly recommend that you become accredited in the Green Star Buildings rating tool to be better equipped in leading and working on Green Star Buildings projects.
How is Green Star – Design & As Built different from Green Star Buildings advanced training?
Green Star Buildings is our biggest overhaul of our rating tool. There are new categories, minimum expectations, credits and more. Our updated Green Star advanced training reflects these changes.
I am targeting the Green Star Accredited Professional criteria under the Industry Development credit for a Green Star Buildings project. Do I need to also become accredited in the Buildings tool if I am already accredited under the Design & As Built tool?
Yes, you will be required to complete both the Green Star Buildings advanced course followed by the GSAP Buildings exam in order to meet the criteria.
When must new projects register under Green Star Buildings v1.1?
From 1st May 2026, new projects must register under Green Star Buildings v1.1, and updated Climate Positive benchmarks will apply. This includes the requirement for all buildings to be all-electric regardless of the targeted star rating (a change that would have come into effect on 1st January 2026 under Green Star Buildings v1). Projects registering under Green Star Buildings v1 before 30th April 2026 will be assessed using the current (2023) Climate Positive Pathway requirements.
Developed for those who work on a Green Star Buildings v1 project on site – whether a contractor, subcontractor and part of the wider project team. This course has been developed to help your business prepare for compliance, increase your knowledge on how to manage your risk from the tendering stage through to how you can review data sheets and manage the documentation for compliance.
We will be exploring the contractor-centric credits and take a deep dive into the materials credits, such as Responsible Structure, Envelope, Systems and Finishes as well as the Exposure to Toxins credits. You’ll learn how construction materials must be vetted for compliance against VOC and Formaldehyde content as well as the responsible products framework that offers points for materials with higher consideration to environmental sustainability. Take away essential information to improve your processes, making them more efficient and effective.
Key areas of learning include:
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the what and how of Green Star – and how you contribute to a project
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what are the tools for the most effective approach to Green Star
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understanding Green Star requirements from start to finish
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the materials-related credits and how you demonstrate compliance
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hints and tips from past projects and how to ensure the best assessment outcome
Places are limited.
Developed for those who work on a Green Star Fitouts v1 project on site – whether a contractor, subcontractor and part of the wider project team. This course has been developed to help your business prepare for compliance, increase your knowledge on how to manage your risk from the tendering stage through to how you can review data sheets and manage the documentation for compliance.
We will be exploring the contractor-centric credits and take a deep dive into the materials credits, such as Responsible Finishes and Joinery, Partitions, Fixtures and Equipment as well as the Low Toxin Materials credits. You’ll learn how construction materials must be vetted for compliance against VOC and Formaldehyde content as well as the responsible products framework that offers points for materials with higher consideration to environmental sustainability. Take away essential information to improve your processes, making them more efficient and effective.
Key areas of learning include:
• the what and how of Green Star – and how you contribute to a project
• what are the tools for the most effective approach to Green Star
• understanding Green Star requirements from start to finish
• the materials-related credits and how you demonstrate compliance
• hints and tips from past projects and how to ensure the best assessment outcome
Places are limited.
Achieving circular outcomes requires more than good intentions – it demands clear strategies, informed decision-making, and a commitment embedded from the very beginning of a project.
This short course offers a practical, grounded exploration of how to move from ambition to action. Drawing on project examples and initiatives, the session unpacks how circular strategies are identified, prioritised, and successfully implemented across the full project lifecycle from concept through to operation and end-of-life.
With a focus on design intent, waste and material use participants will learn how to apply circular principles in ways that are both achievable and impactful. The course also addresses the complexities of stakeholder engagement, cost considerations, and whole-of-life thinking, equipping attendees with the tools to make confident, informed decisions.
What you’ll learn:
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Core circular design principles and practical pathways to implementation
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How to identify, assess, and prioritise circular strategies within projects
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The role of stakeholders and effective decision-making frameworks
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Approaches to whole-of-life costing and carbon assessment
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Insights and lessons from leading circular projects and fitouts
Who is it for:
This session is ideal for professionals seeking to translate circularity from concept into measurable outcomes, while navigating the constraints of design, delivery, and operations.
Our speakers:
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Karolina Bäckman Faulkner, Associate, Circular Design Specialist, 3XN
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Clayton Bristow, Managing Director, FF&3
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Tom Dean, Director, Carbon Planning, Slattery
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Sophie Kebbell, Senior Interior Designer, Hassell
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Dr. Jim Goddin, Head of Circular Economy, thinkstep-anz
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Renae Tapley, Founder, Future Materials & Perth Studio Director, Foolscap
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Lucy Borota, Senior Consultant, Circular Economy and Waste Advisory, Arcadis Australia Pacific
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Katherine Featherstone, Senior Manager – Products and Materials, Green Building Council of Australia
This course will be recorded and made available for those that cannot attend in our on-demand library for purchase . Note, group discussion and group work will not be included in the recording.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world around us, transforming how decisions are made, how systems are managed, and how industries operate. From prediction and automation to generative design and real-time optimisation, AI is becoming a general-purpose capability with wide-ranging implications for efficiency, productivity, and innovation.
But what does this mean for us in the built environment as we pursue our sustainability objectives?
This session provides insights into how AI is beginning to change the way buildings are designed, delivered, and operated. It focuses on practical applications emerging across the sector and how organisations are using AI to improve building performance, support better decision-making, and unlock operational efficiencies.
It explores AI as a decision-support tool that augments human expertise in managing complex building systems, rather than replacing it, while also examining what is required to enable AI at scale, including structured data environments, system integration, and organisational readiness. It also considers the sustainability implications of these developments, including opportunities to accelerate decarbonisation and improve energy performance, alongside the governance, privacy, and ethical considerations that must be addressed as adoption increases.
What you’ll learn:
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Where AI is being applied in buildings today across design, delivery, and operations and the types of problems it is being used to solve.
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How AI supports sustainability outcomes including improvements in building performance, energy efficiency and emissions reduction opportunities.
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What is required to enable AI at scale including data structure, system connectivity and organisational capability.
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The key risks and governance considerations associated with AI adoption including data quality, privacy and human oversight.
Ideal for:
Professionals working across sustainability, design, engineering, development and operations in the built environment. It is intended to provide insights into how AI can be applied to improve building performance, support operational decision-making, and enable more sustainable outcomes.
The construction sector is projected to contribute around one-third of Australia’s total emissions, and that share is continuing to grow. As pressure increases to deliver lower-carbon projects, accelerating the adoption of low-emission construction practices has become critical. While many of the technologies and approaches needed to reduce site emissions already exist, uptake is often slowed by practical, financial, and knowledge barriers.
This session explores what decarbonising construction sites looks like in practice today, how solutions are being deployed at scale, and how organisations are measuring, evaluating, and justifying the impact of change as we seek to deliver on our sustainability goals. It also considers emerging developments in electric equipment and renewable diesel, and what they mean for future site operations.
What you will learn
• How low-emission construction practices are being implemented on live projects today, including real-world challenges, constraints, and successes across different site types.
• The range of practical solutions available to reduce construction emissions, including electrified plant and equipment, hybrid systems, and alternative fuels such as renewable diesel.
• How current and emerging electric equipment can meet operational requirements, including charging infrastructure, battery compatibility, and expected future developments in the market.
• How to measure construction-related emissions and assess the financial implications of low-emission site operations, including approaches used to support investment decisions and track performance improvements.
Who this course is for
This course is designed for construction and project professionals, developers, contractors, and consultants involved in delivering or influencing project outcomes, as well as sustainability practitioners seeking practical insight into emissions reduction, technology adoption, and cost implications in construction site operations.