What is a NABERS rating?

NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) is a national rating system that measures the environmental performance of existing buildings using actual operational data. NABERS ratings cover Energy, Water, Indoor Environment, Waste, Embodied Carbon and Climate Active Carbon Neutral certification.

What buildings can get a NABERS rating?

NABERS ratings are available for offices, hotels, shopping centres, apartment buildings, data centres and more. Ark Resources delivers NABERS assessments across commercial, residential and mixed-use building types throughout Australia.

What NABERS certifications can Ark Resources deliver?

Ark Resources delivers the full suite of NABERS certifications: NABERS Energy, NABERS Water, NABERS Indoor Environment, NABERS Waste, NABERS Embodied Carbon, NABERS Energy Performance Indicator (EPI), and Climate Active Carbon Neutral Certification.

How is a NABERS Energy rating calculated?

A NABERS Energy rating is calculated using actual electricity and gas consumption data from utility bills over a 12-month period, normalised for building size, occupancy, hours of use and climate. A 6-star NABERS Energy rating represents market-leading performance. Ark Resources guides clients through data collection, calculation and certification submission.

NABERS Consultant Melbourne | IDR & Energy Ratings

Q: What is a NABERS Independent Design Review (IDR)?

NABERS IDR is a process that allows building developers to obtain a predicted NABERS rating at the design stage, before construction is complete. It involves independent third-party review of energy models. Ark Resources' Daniel O'Loughlin is an accredited NABERS IDR panel member, one of a small number nationally.

Our Capability

Ark Resources & NABERS IDR

NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) is Australia's national rating system for measuring and comparing the environmental performance of buildings. It provides simple, reliable, and comparable sustainability performance ratings across energy, water, waste, indoor environment, and embodied carbon.

Ark Resources has been delivering NABERS assessments and reports for a number of years, spanning energy, embodied carbon, and a full range of NABERS ratings. Our team has the technical depth to support projects from early-stage design through to formal rating submissions.

Daniel O'Loughlin is Ark Resources' in-house NABERS Independent Design Review (IDR) panel member. The IDR process requires an independent third party to review and verify energy modelling and design documentation, ensuring that projects are on track to achieve their targeted NABERS rating before construction commences. Daniel provides this independent evaluation service for commercial projects across Australia.

About NABERS

NABERS is Australia's national rating system for measuring and comparing the environmental performance of buildings. The Independent Design Review process provides independent verification of energy modelling, ensuring projects meet their targeted ratings.

Visit nabers.gov.au

What We Deliver

NABERS Consulting Services

NABERS Energy IDR

NABERS Independent Design Review for new commercial buildings, verifying that the design is on track to achieve the target NABERS Energy star rating before construction.

NABERS Water IDR

NABERS Water Independent Design Review assessing the building's water efficiency design against target NABERS Water ratings for office, retail and hotel buildings.

NABERS Embodied Carbon

NABERS Embodied Carbon assessments measuring upfront carbon embedded in a building's materials, structure and facade, a new rating available from 2024.

NABERS Star Rating Strategy

Strategic advice on achieving target NABERS ratings for new and existing buildings, covering energy, water and indoor environment quality across all building types.

Whole-of-Building Assessments

NABERS Whole-of-Building Energy ratings measuring total building energy consumption including tenancy and base building, required for government leasing compliance.

Government NABERS Compliance

Support for Commonwealth and State Government tenancy and base building NABERS obligations under the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) program and government leasing policy.

Common Questions

NABERS FAQs

What is a NABERS Independent Design Review (IDR)?

A NABERS Independent Design Review (IDR) is a voluntary assessment that evaluates a building's design against NABERS energy and water performance benchmarks before construction begins. It provides early assurance that the design is on track to achieve a target NABERS rating, and helps identify risks before they become costly to resolve. IDR is increasingly required by government clients and sustainability-focused developers.

When should I undertake a NABERS IDR?

NABERS IDR is most valuable at design development or construction documentation stage, before the building's technical systems are finalised. Early engagement allows design changes to be incorporated at minimal cost. Ark Resources can also undertake staged IDR reviews at multiple design milestones to track progress toward target ratings.

What NABERS ratings can Ark Resources assess?

Ark Resources provides IDR services for NABERS Energy (office, retail, data centre, hotel, apartment), NABERS Water, and NABERS Embodied Carbon. We are accredited NABERS assessors and Independent Design Reviewers, and can provide assessments for both new and existing buildings.

What is the difference between NABERS and Green Star?

NABERS measures actual operational performance of an existing building: energy, water and waste consumption measured over 12 months. Green Star assesses design and construction quality against a credit-based framework. The two are complementary: Green Star provides design-stage certification, while NABERS validates real-world operational performance. Many premium office developments pursue both.

How does NABERS Embodied Carbon work?

NABERS Embodied Carbon is a new rating introduced in 2024 that measures the upfront carbon emissions embedded in a building's materials and construction. It covers the full lifecycle of structural, facade and fit-out materials. Ark Resources provides NABERS Embodied Carbon assessments and can coordinate with your structural and facade consultants to identify material substitutions that reduce embodied carbon.

Get in Touch

Our NABERS Team

Our NABERS specialists are available to discuss IDR requirements, energy modelling reviews, ratings submissions, and embodied carbon assessments across all building types.

Daniel O'Loughlin

Senior ESD Engineer / NABERS Accredited

Email Daniel

Alistair Forster

Senior ESD Engineer

Email Alistair

Vincent Logarzo

Green Star / ESD Engineer

Email Vincent

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Need a NABERS Independent Design Review?

Ark Resources provides NABERS IDR services for commercial projects across Australia, with an in-house panel member to guide your project to its target rating.

NABERS Consultants Melbourne