https://greenchoiceconsulting.com.au/

Green Choice Consulting, Western, Western (2026)

21/05/2026

The May 2026 BASIX tool update changes how production builders process compliance in NSW.

Switching between Simulation and thermal performance methods has become easier:
The tool now retains your project data when changing between the Simulation and DIY thermal performance methods. Previously, switching methods mid-assessment risked losing entered data. This is a practical improvement for projects where the compliance pathway shifts during design development.

Expanded glazing options for alterations and additions:
Low solar heat gain coefficient glazing selections have been expanded. Builders working on renovation projects above the $50,000 threshold now have greater flexibility in meeting thermal targets without over-specifying other building elements.

Low-emissions concrete grades now selectable:
Users selecting low-emissions concrete as an internal wall type can now choose from different grades. This provides more accurate materials reporting and more options for meeting embodied emissions commitments.

Certificates now display thermal method and solar PV detail:
The first page of every new home certificate now shows which thermal performance method was used. Multi-dwelling certificates also display full solar photovoltaic system details where applicable. This improves transparency for certifiers reviewing your documentation.

Accuracy declaration now mandatory:
All users must now confirm the accuracy of entered information before generating a certificate. This is a compliance reinforcement, not a process change, but your team should be aware.

The BASIX standards version has moved from v4.03 to v4.04, though in-progress projects are unaffected. The NSW Planning Portal has also noted some users are experiencing issues since the update, with fixes underway.

When the platform changes, our processes change with it. That is how we keep certificates accurate, current, and moving through approvals without hold-ups..

Questions about how these updates affect your pipeline? Call 1300 864 944

Making compliance simple.

20/05/2026

7 stars without double glazing. The design strategy saving builders thousands.

Most builders hear "7-star NatHERS" and immediately think upgraded glazing. It is the most common assumption in the industry right now.

With the right design, you can reach 7 stars without expensive glazing upgrades.

Here are some practical ways to get there without touching glazing:

1. External window hoods on north and west-facing glass. They block summer sun before it hits the window, reducing cooling loads without touching the glazing spec.

2. The right floor covering matched to climate. Hard floors like polished concrete or vinyl in warmer zones. Carpet in cooler zones where slab insulation matters more. That choice alone can shift a rating by up to half a star.

3. Ceiling fans in every room. One of the simplest upgrades for reaching 7 stars.

4. A lighter roof colour in warm and temperate climates like Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane. Light coloured tiles can lower roof space temperatures by up to 9 degrees compared to dark tiles. Up to a full star difference, at zero additional build cost.

5. Higher openability windows. Casement and awning styles deliver more operable area than sliding windows, improving cross-ventilation and reducing cooling loads.

6. Compliant barrier screens on upper level windows. Under the National Construction Code (NCC), bedroom windows on upper levels often require fall protection screens. Adding a compliant child-proof screen removes these restrictions, increasing ventilation and reducing cooling loads.

None of these require double glazing.

Each one works with the building fabric, the local climate, and the way NatHERS software calculates heating and cooling loads. Stacked together, they can be the difference between meeting compliance with single glazing or requiring expensive glazing upgrades.

Is your current assessor jumping straight to glazing upgrades or are they applying these low-cost, practical changes?

Don't leave savings on the table. Call 1300 864 944 and we will run the comparison for you.

Making compliance simple.

19/05/2026

NCC 2025 is now in effect for residential builders in Victoria.

The scope is narrower than many anticipated.
Here is what your team needs to know:

1) Direct-fix cladding is no longer permitted in climate zones 6, 7 and 8.
Condensation management provisions have been substantially expanded. Mandatory drained and ventilated wall cavities now apply in these climate zones.

3) Cathedral and raked ceilings now carry roof ventilation requirements in zones 4 and 5. Cathedral ceilings, raked ceilings, and skillion roofs require a continuous ventilated air gap between the insulation and the underside of the roof.

4) Rendered insulation cladding systems no longer require a Performance Solution. Lightweight rendered cladding over rigid insulation board (EIFS) now has its own Australian Standard. Builders using compliant products can follow the DTS pathway instead of requiring a Performance Solution.

5) Structural Performance Solutions now require full engineering analysis.
Engineers can no longer sign off on structural Performance Solutions based on Expert Judgement alone. If your project needs one, expect the engineering work to be more rigorous, take longer, and cost more.

6) Plumbing products must be lead-free and WaterMark certified.

7) Residential energy efficiency is unchanged. The 7-star requirements from NCC 2022 remain in place. Proposed changes to Housing Provisions Part 13, EV charging readiness, fire separation for roofed outdoor areas, and embodied carbon were all removed.

Building Ministers have paused further residential changes until mid-2029.

Unsure which new provisions apply to your projects? Call 1300 864 944 to confirm exactly which requirements apply.

Making compliance simple.

15/05/2026

Most builders know they need insulation. Not all of them know which type to use where.

Heating and cooling account for roughly 40% of total energy use in an Australian home. The right insulation can cut that figure nearly in half.

But there is not just one type of insulation. There are four.

1. Loose fill
Cellulose fibre or mineral wool, pumped into ceiling cavities and wall spaces. No cutting, no stapling. It flows into every gap and conforms to every irregular shape. Small gaps in insulation can erode performance quickly, and loose fill eliminates these gaps.

2. Bulk insulation (batts and blankets)
The most common type in Australian homes. Fibreglass, polyester, and glasswool batts fit between ceiling joists or stud wall cavities. They resist heat flow in both directions by trapping pockets of still air. They are effective year-round with only one catch. Compressed or gapped batts lose R-value fast.

3. Reflective foil
Works differently to bulk insulation. It reflects radiant heat away from the building. Needs a minimum 25mm air gap to function. Performs best in hot climates. In cooler zones, foil alone rarely achieves compliance.

4. Rigid boards
Typically extruded polystyrene. These go where batts and loose fill cannot. Under concrete slabs, around slab edges, beneath timber floors, in raked ceilings with minimal clearance. Closed-cell structure resists moisture and maintains R-value for the life of the building. Where in-slab heating is installed, slab edge insulation is required under the National Construction Code (NCC).

No single type covers every scenario. Ceiling insulation alone can save up to 45% on heating and cooling costs. Add walls and floors, and savings climb further.

Need help choosing the right insulation strategy? Call 1300 864 944.

Making compliance simple.

14/05/2026

52 Google reviews. Every single one is 5 stars.

That is not a rounded-up average. It is not "mostly positive." It is a perfect 5.0 from 52 consecutive clients who took the time to write about their experience.

Here is what those reviews actually say when you read them.

The word that appears most is not "energy" or "compliance." It is "communication." Clients mention being kept informed at every stage, receiving near-instant responses, and having complex requirements explained clearly.

The second most common theme is cost savings. Not through cutting corners. Through finding smarter compliance pathways that reduce construction costs while still meeting every requirement of the National Construction Code (NCC).

The third is something you rarely see in consulting: integrity. One client contacted us for an Energy Efficiency Report. After reviewing the project at no charge, we told them a report was not necessary. They did not need to spend the money. That client wrote a 5-star review about business ethics, not about a service we delivered.

Then there are the clients who came to us mid-build, under pressure, with a compliance problem that needed solving fast. One reached out directly because the solution they had been given did not sit right. We ran alternative simulations, found a better pathway, and resolved a long-held design concern at the eleventh hour.

Another client had a project where council requirements went beyond standard compliance. We spent weeks negotiating directly with the local authority to secure an outcome that saved significant time, cost, and effort.

52 reviews. Zero complaints. Builders, homeowners, developers, and property groups across Australia.

The consistency is not luck. It is what happens when a team treats every project, whether it is a single NatHERS certificate or a complex commercial assessment, as if it were the most important one on the books.

If your next project needs an energy assessment that is done right, done fast, and explained clearly, call 1300 864 944.

Making compliance simple.

12/05/2026

Standard aluminium-framed clear float glass no longer complies under NCC 2025.

Not just for shopfronts. Not just in certain climate zones. For all commercial glazing, everywhere.

The new J4D6(2) provision caps Total System U-Value at U5.8 for every individual glazing element in the commercial building envelope. Under NCC 2022, that cap only applied to display glazing. NCC 2025 extends it to every window, curtain wall panel, and glazed opening in the building.

Here is what has changed:

Under the existing facade calculation, the wall-glazing construction U-value is an area-weighted average across walls and glazing combined. That meant a building could carry one or two poorly performing glazing elements and still pass the overall facade calculation, provided the surrounding wall construction compensated in the average. A large warehouse with a single oversized, unimproved window could pass the facade check even though that individual element underperforms.

The U5.8 element cap closes that gap. Every individual glazing element must now sit at or below U5.8 on its own merits, regardless of what the facade average says. No single window gets a free pass.

Single clear float glass in a standard aluminium frame sits between U6.3 and U6.5. That is above the cap.

At minimum, you are now looking at low-E coated or tinted single glazing in a thermally improved frame, or standard double-glazed units.

These alternatives cost significantly more than standard float glass.

For buildings with limited glazing, specifying double-glazed units in the openings is the most direct path. For buildings with significant glazing, the element cap and the wall-glazing construction U-value target are separate requirements that now must both be met. Check them together at specification stage to avoid discovering a conflict late in procurement. Total System U-Values from your glazing supplier before procurement to confirm each element sits below U5.8.

Are your projects ready for U5.8 cap? or have you been relying on the facade average to carry underperforming windows?

Making compliance simple

11/05/2026

Most builders have never laid a mud brick. But this might be worth changing.

Mud brick is one of the oldest construction materials on the planet. In Australia, Mud bricks became popular after WWII when conventional materials were scarce. The method is straightforward: earth mixed with water and straw, pressed into moulds, dried in the sun.

The result is a wall system with genuine advantages over conventional construction.

A 250mm mud brick wall absorbs heat during the day and releases it overnight. Paired with passive solar design, internal temperatures stay remarkably stable with minimal mechanical heating or cooling.

Fire resistance is significant.

A 250mm mud brick wall carries a four-hour fire rating. In extreme heat, mud brick walls can actually harden further, similar to conventional bricks being fired in a kiln. In a country where bushfire resilience matters, this feature is important.

Mud brick outperforms on soundproofing.

A standard timber-framed wall rates around STC 33. A 250mm mud brick wall sits closer to STC 45, meaning roughly 50% less sound passes through mud brick walls.

What are the trade-offs?

1. Like all masonry, mud brick has high thermal mass but low insulation. Additional insulation is needed to meet National Construction Code (NCC) requirements.
2. Production is labour-intensive and moisture management is critical, requiring deep eaves, strong drainage, and careful detailing.
3. Current energy rating tools do not recognise mud brick as a standard wall type, so a skilled assessor is needed to model them correctly.

These three reasons alone do not outweigh the advantages of using mud bricks.

With the right design, climate, and advice, mud brick delivers thermal performance, fire resilience, and acoustic separation that most conventional wall systems do not offer.

For builders willing to think beyond standard construction, mud brick is a material worth considering.

Making compliance simple.

07/05/2026

Two days on the Gold Coast with 500+ building industry professionals from across Australia.

The Green Choice Consulting team attended the 2026 HIA National Conference, one of the peak annual events in the industry for residential builders.

Between sessions on NCC reform, housing supply and the growing role of AI in construction, there was no shortage of valuable discussion. The real standout was the time spent between sessions, reconnecting with clients, builders and fellow consultants about what is next for residential construction and where energy efficiency fits into the picture.

The conference wrapped up with the 2026 HIA Australian Housing Awards. A huge congratulations to Mactech Constructions for taking home four national awards, including the 2026 HIA Australian Home of the Year for their Cloudbreak project on the Gold Coast.

Thank you to HIA for another great event and for the continued advocacy for our industry.

06/05/2026

Case Study: A Boutique Residential Home in Newport, NSW.

Three suspended levels on a hillside. And a 2.4-star NatHERS rating.

That was the starting point.

The design was bold: a large sunroom with adjoining roof terrace, gymnasium, study, lift, external staircase, and a substantial internal void connecting two main living areas.

The kind of project that separates compliance expertise from guesswork

BASIX certification required the Simulation Method, meaning a 7.0-star NatHERS rating was needed.

Straight away we could see the following design issues:
Limited thermal mass across the structure, A reverse-living layout that worked against natural thermal performance, No north-facing living areas and Extensive glazing to the sunroom.

Standard insulation upgrades and improved glazing specs weren't enough. This project needed a deeper, more strategic approach.

We worked directly with the client through an iterative design refinement process, with one goal: achieve compliance without compromising the architect's vision or blowing out the construction budget.

Here's what this looked like in practice:
1) Optimised window dimensions and placements to reduce heat loss without shrinking the views
2) Specified insulated-core entry doors
3) Introduced external shading screens to manage solar gain
4) Increased external wall stud depth to fit R4.0 wall insulation
5) Increased ceiling fan blade diameter for improved internal air movement
6) Specified IC/IC-F rated downlights to reduce ceiling insulation losses
7) Upgraded to uPVC double-glazed windows with Low-E coating

Every recommendation was measured against cost, buildability, and design intent.
We didn't just chase stars.
We found the most practical and cost-effective pathway to get there.

The result: 7.0-star NatHERS rating. BASIX compliant. Design intent preserved.

This is what we do at Green Choice Consulting. We don't hand back a fail and leave you to figure it out. We work through the options, and find the compliance pathway that protects your budget and your build.

If your next project has a challenging design, call 1300 864 944 before it becomes a costly problem.

Making compliance simple.

05/05/2026

NCC2025 has changed the rules for J1V3 Performance Solutions.

If your commercial project uses energy modelling instead of the DtS pathway, the compliance bar is now higher. Here’s what builders need to know:

**3% improvement required**
The proposed building must now achieve greenhouse gas emissions at least 3% lower than the reference building. Under NCC2022, you only had to match it. Projects that previously scraped over the compliance line will no longer pass.

**Solar PV can no longer mask poor building fabric**
The reference building now includes solar PV as standard. Both buildings are compared on a level playing field. Better envelope performance must be demonstrated on its own merits, not offset by solar panels increasing the cost of compliance.

**Modelling now uses 2050 projected climate data**
All J1V3 modelling must use future climate files rather than current conditions. This generally results in higher cooling loads, which makes compliance more difficult and expensive to achieve.

Do you have a commercial project using a Performance Solution? Are you NCC2025 ready? Don’t wait for the additional cost of NCC2025 to hit, engage your ESD consultant early.
Call 1300 864 944

Green Choice Consulting

21/05/2026

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

15/05/2026

14/05/2026

12/05/2026

11/05/2026

07/05/2026

06/05/2026

05/05/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share