Green Star FAQs

Yes, for the purposes of the Potable water credit, the following fixtures and fittings may be excluded, as the water consumption will not be altered significantly by reducing the water flow:  Bath taps, laboratory taps, and taps dedicated to cleaning and facility management for container filling e.g., cleaning buckets. Kitchen or café...

No, the GBCA clarifies that projects targeting Credit 18B.5 Fire Protection System Test Water from Green Star - Design & As Built should include water consumption calculations for each relevant system used during fire protection testing, such as sprinkler, hose reel and hydrant systems. The intent of the credit is to...

No. The GBCA confirms that the requirement to achieve within one (1) star of a 6 star WELS rating (in Green Star - Communities, Green Star - Design & As Built and Green Star - Interiors) or within one (1) star of a 4.5 star WELS rating (in Green Star...

The GBCA has no specific requirement as to when registered projects should submit for a Designed Assessment. Below is some guidance to help establish the best timing for your project. This supplements information provided in the rating tool Submission Guidelines.  Purpose A Designed Assessment (or Design Review under the Legacy rating tools)...

The GBCA recommends that, when a contractor, sub-contractor, consultant, or other party involved in a Green Star registered project is unable to complete project works or provide documentation for the Green Star submission due to insolvency or another unforeseen event, the project team should contact the GBCA as soon as...

Technical questions related to Innovation were previously marked as free of charge. However moving forward Innovation related technical questions will be charged the standard fees of $220 (excl. of GST) as per a technical question. The following is a list of all places in the rating tool where a technical...

Yes. Where a landscape zone does not require irrigation, project teams may include this zone under section 5 'Landscape Irrigation' of the Green Star - Design & As Built Potable Water Calculator and nominate a negligible crop coefficient to represent the non-irrigated zone. The GBCA clarifies that the intent is to recognise...

Yes, project teams may use the Performance Pathway to size the rainwater tank for 18B.2 Potable Water Prescriptive Pathway - Rainwater Reuse from Green Star - Design & As Built. The project team must demonstrate that the rainwater tank is appropriately sized to the building. At a minimum, the project team...

Shower benchmarks for hotel developments in the Potable Water credit have recently undergone internal and external review. The current benchmark for showers is set at 3 star WELS (>7.5L but <=9L/min).   All other benchmarks in the calculator remain unchanged, as does the methodology for populating the calculator.  The relevant potable water calculator...

Yes. The GBCA clarifies that the wording as per Design & As Built v1.3 is correct and that project teams may target one (1) point under 18B.5 Fire Protection System Test Water by demonstrating that one of the following conditions is met: The fire protection system does not expel water for testing; The fire protection...

We’ve developed a short guidance document for project teams on what level of documentation is acceptable for Design Review – Green Star Design & As Built and Green Star – Interiors. This Design Review Guidance provides answers to common questions asked by project teams. The Guidance - Submitting for Design Review document is...

Yes. The GBCA requires evidence that the drawings supplied are as constructed, whether they have an ‘As Built’ stamp or not. 'For Construction' drawings are acceptable provided they are accompanied by formal confirmation from the head contractor or other relevant professional(s) that the For Construction drawings depict the site as-built...

Before achieving certification you can promote your Green Star registered project in writing, but cannot use the Green Star logo or Green Star certification trade mark. The Green Star certification trade mark can only be used once the project is certified. The Marketing and Style Guide explains how Green Star certified projects can...

No. All supported documentation listed for each credit in the Submission Guidelines are suggestions only, unless specified otherwise. Alternate documentation to those listed can be used by project teams to demonstrate credit compliance if it adequately supports the claims made within the Submission Templates.

Documents can be referenced, rather than duplicated in credits, as long as the Submission Templates include both: hyperlinks to the relevant document(s); and references to specific page numbers within the document(s) which demonstrate compliance with the specific credit. Page numbers are likely to change for each credit submission, as appropriate to the credit compliance being demonstrated. Please note...

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) does not normally certify Green Star projects outside of Australia. If you believe your project should be considered as an exception circumstance, please complete an Eligibility query and provide details of your project and why this should be considered for Green Star certification. Alternatively, we...