Green Star FAQs

Yes, projects may exclude decorative lighting from the following criteria where the decorative lighting is not the primary source of lighting in the room, and each regularly occupied area is supplied with a primary light source (e.g. downlights) that meets all criteria requirements: Rating tool Credit Criteria Green Star - Design & As Built,...

Yes. Class 2 and Class 3 buildings may target the Ventilation System Attributes criterion in Minimum Expectation under the Clean Air credit from Green Star Buildings v1 by using the following minimum separation distances.   Airflow rate within the minimum distance (L/s) Minimum separation distance from discharges to intakes, or natural ventilation opening of...

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)...

Yes, projects may use printing and/or photocopying equipment certified in accordance with DE-UZ 219 when targeting the 9.3A Removing the Source of Pollutants pathway. This is on the basis that projects may use the latest criteria from Blue Angel for Office Equipment with Printing Function (Printers and Multifunction Devices), which was formerly...

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...

Yes, for projects with skylights that are not directly over a primary space, the project may use a nominated plane that is at ground level beneath the skylight, 1.5m from the edge of the skylight in the nearest primary space. This approach is applicable to the Fixed Shading Devices pathway from Visual...

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, a project may use a sample approach to model daylight for ascending uniform floorplates for the purpose of demonstrating compliance where: Each distinct floorplate and residence is modelled in totality. Each distinct floorplate and residence is modelled at the lowest possible opportunity. The approach is allowed where: No recognised surrounding infrastructure or landform...

Yes, Class 3 hotel rooms may demonstrate compliance by addressing the residential requirements for the credits listed below: 10.2 Reverberation (refer to FAQ F-00061) 10.3 Acoustic Separation 11.1 General Illuminance 11.2 Surface Illuminance 11.3 Localised Lighting Control 12.0 Glare Reduction 12.1 Daylight   Public spaces such as foyers and staff office spaces must comply with the most appropriate credit...

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...

No. There is no requirement to use a dynamic simulation software where the Visual Comfort credit is met through the Compliance Using Daylight Factor option.  This is clarified in response to a formatting change that was included in the most current version of the Submission Guidelines under the Visual Comfort -...

For the following Indoor Environment Quality credits, compliance need only be demonstrated across 95% of the nominated area: Indoor Air Quality: Provision of Outdoor Air Acoustic Comfort: Internal Noise Levels  Reverberation Lighting Comfort:  Minimum Lighting Comfort  General Illuminance and Glare Reduction  Surface Illuminance  Localised Lighting Control  Visual Comfort: Glare Reduction Thermal Comfort: Thermal Comfort Advanced Thermal Comfort For residential buildings, please note that the 95% compliance...

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...