A 6th star has been added to the NABERS rating, the industry standard for measuring and benchmarking the environmental performance of existing Australian offices, hotels and shopping centres.

The NABERS tools were developed over a decade ago to help building owners and tenants reduce environmental impacts and costs by rating a building's performance compared to other buildings. They previously rated buildings from 0-stars: very poor through to 5-stars: excellent.

The 6th star has been added to encourage continued innovation and environmental improvement. A 6-star rating will be awarded for "market leading" performance that represents a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or water use from a 5-star rating.

All buildings currently rated at 5 stars that are performing at a 5.5 or 6-star level have been issued new certificates to reflect the change.

The existing 0 to 5-stars for each tool will not change and the rating scales for NABERS Waste and Indoor Environment and NABERS tools for homes are expected to be extended by mid-2012.

We have seven accredited NABERS assessors on staff. Phone 9201 0855 for more information.