What Is a Green Star Rating System?

Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system that sets the standard for buildings and places that are sustainable, healthy and durable. It was founded by the Green Building Council of Australia in 2003 and now in 2022, there are 55.5 million square metres of Green Star-certified building space. The Green Star system is rated on a 6-star system, and you need to be rewarded at least 4 stars to be Green Star certified.

The Green Star system was created with various goals in mind, including:

• Improving Australia’s quality of life
• Protecting and preserving the earth’s natural resources
• Creating a sustainable economy
• Improving resilience in Australian buildings and places
• Minimising the impacts of climate change

The Different Green Star tools

The Green Star rating system is versatile and can be applied to many different projects, including:

• Green Star Buildings: Applies to all building types and is constantly evolving to take into account both current and future demands. A Green Star building should have high-quality insulation, sustainable appliances and durable materials, to name a few. You’ll be able to find these materials and products through both electrical wholesalers and manufacturers with a focus on environmental protection.

• Green Star Communities: Improving the sustainability of large-scale projects taking place within a neighbourhood or community. Green Stars community certifications last for a maximum of 5 years before they’ll need to be recertified.

• Green Star Homes: Assesses the health, durability and sustainability of homes and apartment buildings. This division launched in 2021 and is an excellent way to make yourself stand out in the marketplace and appeal to the growing number of buyers looking for green, sustainable properties.

• Green Star Interiors: Reworking the interior fit-outs in offices, hotels, shops and more to help both clients and project teams achieve their goals and have clear advice on how to follow sustainability best practices.

• Green Star Performance: Improving the efficiency of already existing buildings by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and helping them transition towards a net zero society.

Green Star benefits

Whether your next project involves a home, place of business or community centre, there are countless benefits of prioritising its Green Star rating, such as:

Building for the future

A high Green Star rating shows your tenants, investors and community members that your project or business is putting in the effort to reduce their carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the world. With 80% of Australians believing that taking action against climate change is important, this can help to boost confidence in your project, attract new clients or tenants and help it withstand the challenges of the future.

Meeting the needs of occupants

Tenants that are happier are more likely to stick around for longer. By keeping their energy bills low and their home comfortable at all times of the year, your current tenants will be happy to stay put and you’ll have better luck attracting new tenants, too.

Joining a like-minded community of businesses

When you become Green Star certified you join countless businesses around the globe that are making a difference and doing their part to fight climate change by following the Paris Agreement, which plays a large role in the Green Star certification process. Being a part of the Green Star family makes it easier than ever to track your progress, set goals and implement new strategies to continue fighting the good fight.

Be part of a trusted and internationally recognised certification

The Green Star certification process is strictly followed and monitored, and any unverified projects that use the Green Star rating to mislead audiences are in breach of trademark rules and may face swift legal repercussions. When you’re Green Star certified, this instantly signals that you have high environmental and social standards that you follow and will continue to follow long into the future.