BASIX Higher Standards are expected in late 2022 state-wide

After a consultation period the standards of the Building Sustainability Index, BASIX, are expected to rise later this year, in line with the NSW goal to Net Zero Home by 2050 and the federally agreed Trajectory for a Low Energy Buildings. The national plan aims to achieve zero energy and carbon-ready buildings, meanwhile building more comfortable homes and cutting energy costs.

The Higher Standards propose to increase the criteria for energy efficiency and thermal performance in the National Construction Code (NCC), for all new residential developments, except for apartment buildings of up to five storeys and homes in the North Coast climate zones.

The new standards will result in cheaper energy bills, more comfortable homes and fewer carbon emissions.

Overall, the occupants of homes meeting the proposed higher standards will use less energy, estimated energy bill savings, based on forecast 2022 energy prices, will vary with locations and building types:

The higher BASIX thermal performance standards will be at least 7 stars, based Department of Planning, Industry and Environment | Sustainability in Residential Design 3 on the star-rating scale defined by the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. As it is stated in the Planing Portal of NSW, this is consistent with what the Federal government proposes for the National Construction Code for 2022. Currently, homes that comply with BASIX have been achieving 5.5 to 6 NatHERS stars on average.

Basix water standards will stay the same.