WELS – Green Star & NABERS Ratings

Author : Gentec

The WELS scheme, Green Star, and NABERS are integral components of Australia’s approach to water conservation and sustainable building practices.

Each operates at different levels—product, building design, and operational performance—but they are interconnected in promoting water efficiency.

Incorporating WELS-rated products into building designs can enhance both Green Star and NABERS Water ratings by reducing water consumption, leading to operational cost savings and contributing to environmental sustainability goals.

SCHEME	FOCUS	WATER EFFICIENCY ASPECT	INTERNCONNECTION
WELS	PRODUCT	Individual product ratings	Provides data for Green Star & NABERS assessments
GREEN STAR	DESIGN	Building water efficiency	Utilizes WELS data in Potable Water Calculator
NABERS	OPERATION	Actual building performance	Reflects outcomes of WELS rated products in operation

WELS and NABERS Ratings and their interconnection

The WELS scheme is a mandatory labeling program that rates the water efficiency of individual products, such as toilets, taps, and showerheads. Products are assigned a star rating from 1 to 6, with 6 stars representing the highest level of water efficiency. This rating helps consumers make informed choices about the water efficiency of products they purchase. WELS Rating: Assesses the water efficiency of individual products used within the building.

The NABERS Water rating assesses the actual water usage and recycling practices within a building over a 12-month period. It provides a performance-based evaluation, offering a star rating from 1 to 6. This rating considers factors such as water consumption, water recycling, and the implementation of water-saving strategies within the building’s operations. NABERS Water Rating: Evaluates the overall water performance of a building, including operational practices and water management strategies.

In practice, Products that enhance water efficiency, such as low-flow fixtures, can improve a building’s NABERS Water rating. This is particularly relevant for buildings aiming for high NABERS scores. For example, installing 6-star WELS-rated toilets and taps can contribute to a building’s water-saving goals, positively impacting its NABERS Water rating.

Embodied Carbon: NABERS incorporates embodied carbon assessments through tools like the National Emission Factors Database. Manufacturers can contribute by providing EPDs that detail the carbon footprint of their products.

The WELS scheme is a mandatory labeling program that rates the water efficiency of individual products, such as toilets, taps, and showerheads. Products are assigned a star rating from 1 to 6, with 6 stars representing the highest level of water efficiency. This rating helps consumers make informed choices about the water efficiency of products they purchase WELS Rating assesses the wsdater efficiency of individual products used within the building. WELS provides the tools to select water-efficient products.

Green Star is a comprehensive sustainability rating system for buildings. Within its framework, the Potable Water Calculator assesses a building’s water usage, awarding points based on the efficiency of installed fixtures and systems. To demonstrate compliance, project teams must provide documentation such as WELS certificates, which detail the flow rates of fixtures like toilets, taps, and showers Green Star assesses the collective water performance of a building. Incorporating high WELS-rated products into a building’s design and operations can enhance its Green Star rating by reducing overall water consumption, thereby contributing to sustainability goals. Green Star offers a framework to evaluate and improve a building’s water performance.

The Green Star and WELS schemes are integral to promoting water efficiency in Australia, each serving distinct yet complementary roles.

Both together, they support the creation of sustainable, water-efficient environments.

Product Certification: Certifying plumbing products through recognized programs can contribute to a project’s Green Star rating. For instance, products like low-flow faucets or water-efficient pipes can help projects earn credits under the Water Efficiency category.

WHAT IS GREEN STAR?

–>An internationally recognised Australian sustainability rating and certification system setting the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places.

–> Founded in 2003 and managed by Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)

–> A Certification Trademark registered by GBCA. Only projects that have been assessed and certified by GBCA can use the Green Star Trademark or claim to be Green Star projects.

–> Green Star: Ideal for developers and designers aiming to achieve high levels of sustainability in new buildings or major refurbishments with the aim of:

•Reducing the impact of climate change

•Enhancing our health and quality of life

•Restoring and protecting our planet’s biodiversity and ecosystems

•Driving resiliency in buildings, fitouts, and communities 

•Contributing to market transformation and a sustainable economy

GREEN STAR – Benefits

Made for the Australian industry, by the Australian industry with foundations built on collaboration with industry and government. Each Green Star rating tool is designed, tried and tested for the Australian environment by leading sustainability and property experts.

Build for the future and demonstrate leadership with financial and environmental Bbenefits

Investing in Green Star-certified buildings can lead to substantial long-term savings. For instance, a study on a $900,000 Sydney apartment indicated potential savings exceeding $110,000 over 30 years, attributed to reduced energy bills, discounted home loans, and increased property value.

Respond to your occupants’ needs and attract tenants that hang around longer.

Green Star is robust, user-tested and built for versatility. 

Join business from around the globe by stepping up to the climate challenge.

Certification you can trust and an independent way to verify the environmental and social outcomes you’ve set out to achieve. They operate a quality management system which complies with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 for the development, upkeep and delivery of Green Star certification.

GREEN STAR – Rating tools

The Green Star rating system and rating tools may be subject to further development in the future.

The rating tool will be updated regularly as follows:

• Annual revisions (minor updates) – will result in a release of a revised rating tool. Additional reviews will occur throughout the year should a correction be deemed necessary. e.g. v1.1, v1.2.
• 3 yearly rating tool overhaul (major updates) – will result in a release of a new rating tool version. e.g. v1.0, v2.0.

When a new rating tool is released projects remain able to register under the previous version of the tool for a specified period of time. Once this period ends, the most current rating tool must be used.  

While each rating tool will be updated from time to time, project teams are only required to adhere to the Submission Guidelines for the rating tool that their project is registered under.

GREEN STAR – Eligibility

Eligibility for Green Star certification is based on the Green Star rating tool and the project undertaking certification. Any new or existing building, new fitout, or master-planned precinct can achieve a Green Star rating using our internationally-recognised certification system.

• Green Star Buildings: Evaluates the design and construction of new buildings or major refurbishments.
• Green Star Homes: Launched in August 2021 for volume home builders. Green Star Homes is a standard assessing the health, resilience and energy efficiency of the places where we live.
• Green Star – Communities: Certifies precinct-scale developments, encompassing planning & delivery.
• Green Star – Performance: Assesses the building operational performance 
• Green Star – Interiors: Focuses on the interior fitout of buildings.
  https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/certification-process/eligibility-criteria/
  

GREEN STAR – Certification Levels ?

• Evaluates/focuses on the sustainability of a building’s design and construction: various categories such as energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and the building’s impact on its surroundings.
• Green Star employs a points-based system to determine certification levels:
  • •1 Star: Minimum practice.
  • •2 Stars: Average practice.
  • •3 Stars: Good practice.
  • •4 Stars: Best practice.
  • •5 Stars: Australian excellence.
  • •6 Stars: World leadership.
• Achieving a higher star rating indicates a more sustainable and environmentally responsible project.

GREEN STAR – ✅ Certification Process

The Green Star certification process involves:

1.Registration: Project teams register their intent to pursue certification.

2.Assessment: A third-party assessor evaluates the project against the relevant Green Star rating tool.

3.Certification: If the project meets the required criteria, it is awarded a Green Star rating.

This process ensures transparency and credibility in the certification of sustainable building practices .

GREEN STAR – ✅ Certification Time lead

Green Star certification is a simple but robust online process managed by GBCA.

1.  Contact Market Engagement team at GBCA to find the tool and approach that’s right for you

2.   Register your project with GBCA, the earlier you do this the easier the process will be. Once your project is registered you can share the Green Star ambitions you’re targeting with your networks.

3.   Get familiar with submission guidelines and the documents needed to show your project meets their benchmarks, then submit them to GBCA using Green Star Online (Round 1 submission).

4.   An Independent Panel of sustainability experts will assess your submission, give it a score and a Green Star rating. While some projects can achieve their desired certified rating at Round 1 assessment, a Round 2 assessment may be required to allow the project team to address the items listed as ‘point(s) to be confirmed’. It takes up to 6 weeks.

5.   The project team is requested to resubmit documentation for these credits in the Round 2 submission. Additionally, the project team can claim new credits at Round 2.

6.   Round 2 assessment – The Assessment Panel conduct an assessment and takes up to 4 weeks.

5.   Green Star certification gives you the rights to use the Green Star trademark. Once you’re certified, GBCA will send you a certificate and marketing guide so you can share your achievement with the world!

GREEN STAR – ✅ Why Certification matters

–>Green Star Certification is trust. It verifies the environmental and social outcomes you’ve set to achieve. 

–>The Green Star rating system and certification process is built on a quality process accredited to ISO9001 and is developed and regularly updated in consultation with industry and government stakeholders.

–>Achieving certification guarantees that projects are compared against the most appropriate and up-to-date benchmarks and standards available. 

“Green Star ratings have become a trusted industry hallmark of quality design, effective delivery and efficient operation. The market now talks in ‘stars’. It has become a trusted currency of the property sector and its customers who recognise these benefits and the future value that they represent.”

Cate Harris, Group Head of Sustainability and Lendlease Foundation

“Green Star’s final stamp of approval is unarguable – you have either built it right or you haven’t. The only way to get true confirmation that you’ve met the Green Star benchmarks is to get a rating.”

Patrick Campbell, Operations Sustainability Manager for Building, John Holland

WHAT IS NABERS?

–>NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) is a standardised building rating system that evaluates the sustainability performance of commercial buildings across Australia. 

–>NABERS focuses on the operational performance of buildings, including energy and water usage, indoor environmental quality, and waste management.

–>NABERS utilizes a star rating system to indicate performance levels (from 1 to 6 stars):

•1 Star: Making a Start

•2 Stars: Below Average

•3 Stars: Average

•4 Stars: Good

•5 Stars: Excellent

•6 Stars: Market Leading

–>NABERS ratings are valid for 12 months.

–>NABERS: Best suited for building owners and managers looking to improve operational performance and demonstrate sustainability efforts to tenants and stakeholders.

NABERS – Benefits  

• NABERS has partnered with Climate Active to provide a Carbon Neutral certification.
• Compare: The basis of a robust sustainability strategy.
• Validate and communicate/Increased Building Value: Provides cost-effective, high-trust, and independent validation of sustainability data, ensuring confidence in reporting it publicly and communicating it simply.
• Environmental Impact: Contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions and water usage.
• Operational Efficiency: Identifies areas for energy and water savings.
• Competitive edge/Market Recognition: Enhances building value and attractiveness to tenants with a lower environmental impact and running costs to prospective buyers, renters, procurement teams or hotel guests.
• Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with environmental standards and regulations. For instance, buildings using NABERS to measure their environmental performance have reported an average improvement in emissions of 11.5% and a 9% increase in water efficiency.
• Track and improve: An essential framework for annual reporting and sustainability strategies.

NABERS – Why need to rate building?

• Buildings are responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions and use approximately:
  • 40% of the world’s energy
  • 30% of the world’s available drinking water.
• Environmentally friendly buildings are better for the bottom line, better for staff and clients, and better for the planet.
• NABERS is built on the following 7 KEY PRINCIPLES which help to maintain their quality of service.
  • •t measures actual impact, not intent
  • We are relevant to building operations
  • The ratings are meaningful
  • Simple and easy to perform
  • Reliable
  • NABERS management is trustworthy
  • Its development is collaborative.

NABERS – Process  

NABERS rating in 5 simple steps:

1. Learn more: If you’re looking for more information on how NABERS works, its benefits and what’s involved in the rating process, we have a wealth of resources including fact sheets, case studies and videos.
2. Check the spaces we rate: See if your building is in a sector we currently rate. We are constantly expanding to new sectors, se please contact us if we’re not operating in your sector yet.
3. Estimate your rating: Use the NABERS rating calculators to get an idea of how well your building or tenancy is performing. Results are an indication only and cannot be promoted or published.
4. Find an Assessor: Search for a NABERS Assessor to complete your accredited rating.
5. See our pricing and offers: Understand costs involved and see what offers are currently available.