New buildings will need to go further in reducing environmental impact and bringing nature into the built environment if they are to achieve Green Star ratings under the latest updated version of the rating tool.

And the tool allows more opportunities for circular design, a clear and simplified structure and better access to sustainable finance.

The Green Building Council of Australia has launched the Green Star Buildings v1.1.

Changes under the updated tool include:

  • Further strengthening of the Climate Positive Pathway that was introduced in Green Star Buildings v1
  • Introduction of a Nature Positive Pathway
  • A new Circular Design Credit
  • More than 100 changes to improve usability.
  • Alignment with the climate mitigation new construction criteria in the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
  • Alignment with government policies and upcoming regulatory changes.

Developed with input from more than 700 project teams, the new version of Green Star Buildings aims to build upon the original Green Star Buildings v1.

Launched in October 2020, Green Star Buildings provides a comprehensive sustainability rating tool for new buildings and major refurbishments.

Since its launch, more than 400 buildings have been registered under the tool.

 

Areas of change

As outlined above, changes in the updated version spread across six areas.

A key change involves strengthening the Climate Positive Pathway that was introduced in Green Star Buildings V1.

Changes in this area aim to close key emissions gaps and to provide projects with a clearer and more consistent pathway toward decarbonisation.

Under these changes, all-electric buildings will now be a minimum expectation for all projects.

There will also be more ways to demonstrate energy efficiency and to use electricity at times when the grid is at its greenest, greater focus on low-impact refrigerants and greater emphasis on energy demand reduction.

Another change involves the introduction of a ‘Nature Positive Pathway’.

This aims to provide project teams with clear steps to support and enhance nature and biodiversity within the built environment in a manner which is consistent with the Kumming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Under this new pathway:

  • From 2028, projects which pursue either a 5 or 6 star rating must demonstrate a 10 percent net gain in biodiversity, or no net loss where sites are greenfield.
  • All projects will be required to report nature-related metrics in line with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

There are also updated credits to support outcomes on light pollution, waterway protection and long-term stewardship.

A third change involves a new Design for Circularity credit that will encourage smarter material choices and design decisions in terms of adaptability and reuse.

With this credit, projects have the option of being recognised for implementing circular design strategies or measuring the circularity of key materials in the building.

Measured improvements in circularity across the whole building are also rewarded.

Fourth, there are more than 100 changes to improve usability.

These include simplifying technical language, greater clarity and fewer areas of interpretation risk.

Several credits now offer steeped point structures to allow for better recognition of project outcomes.

Fifth, the new version will ensure that all new rated buildings will be aligned with the climate mitigation new construction criteria in the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.

This will help to ensure easier access to sustainable finance.

Finally, the newly updated tool has delivered alignment with government policies and potential upcoming regulatory changes.

These include mandatory carbon disclosures (scope 1 and 2), circular economy policies, nature reporting frameworks (TNFD) and National Construction Code updates which are focused on energy and performance.

The new tool will also align with the NABERS Embodied Carbon Rating Tool.

 

Future ready buildings

Jorge Chapa, Chief Impact Officer at GBCA, said that the changes will help to ensure that Green Star rated buildings continue to meet evolving expectations from investors, government and the market.

“Green Star Buildings v1.1 is designed for what’s next,” Chapa said.

“It builds on the strong carbon outcomes of v1 and brings nature and circularity to the forefront –making it easier for teams to deliver buildings that are low-carbon, nature-positive and future-ready.”

The newly updated rating tool is now open for registration. All new projects will be required to register under the updated tool from 1 May 2026.

The transition period to register projects under Buildings v1 will end 30 April 2026. Projects already registered under v1 may voluntarily upgrade to v1.1.