Green Star FAQs

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...

The GBCA defines electric vehicle charging infrastructure as the provision of a standard domestic, commercial or industrial power outlet, or wiring to enable the future installation of electric vehicle charging equipment without the electric vehicle charging equipment itself being installed at the time of practical completion, thus making the project...

The externally provided software the Transport Calculators rely on has recently changed to pay-per-use. As such the Sustainable Transport and Access by Public Transport Calculator outputs will only be available to project teams of registered Green Star Projects until further notice.    UPDATED AUGUST 2022 17A Sustainable Transport Calculator The Sustainable Transport Calculator has been...

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, project teams may target up to three (3) points to determine the points available for 'Walkable location' as an alternative to Walkscore, for the purposes of 17A-Sustainable Transport - Performance Pathway. To ensure that there is a diverse range of amenities available to the building occupants, amenities present around the...

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...

Staff bicycle spaces do not need to be separate from general public spaces, provided they are secure. Visitor spaces do not need to be under cover.

Showers which are located in statutorily required accessible bathrooms cannot be claimed in the count for shower facilities. Extra bathrooms/showers with disability access, not required statutorily, which meet the Sustainable Transport credit requirements can be counted.

Yes. Walk score is determined on two factors: walking distance, and pedestrian friendliness. The GBCA accepts the following alternative approach for determining the walking distance on the condition the project team also meets requirements for pedestrian friendliness outlined below.  Determine the walking distance: Calculate the residential units/houses that can be covered within a...

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...