What Is Green Star?
Green Star is Australia’s leading sustainability rating tool for buildings and communities. Developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) in 2003, it evaluates and improves operational performance, design, and construction practices. This green star rating system aims to lower environmental impact, promote healthier spaces, and support best practices in the built environment.
Why Is Green Star Important?
The built environment accounts for over 25% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Green Star principles reduce these impacts while improving efficiency and comfort. A Green Star certification can offer multiple benefits:
Environmental Responsibility
Encourages sustainable materials, low-carbon construction, and waste reduction.
Energy & Water Efficiency
Lowers resource use and operating costs.
Health & Well-Being
Focuses on indoor environment quality, ventilation, and thermal comfort.
Resilience & Climate Adaptation
Prepares buildings for climate action and extreme weather.
Market Value & Future-Proofing
Increases property appeal and supports notable projects seeking 6 Star or 5 Star ratings.
How Does Green Star Work?
Green Star rating tools assign points in areas like Energy, Water, Materials, Indoor Environment Quality, Emissions, and Innovation. Projects earn a 4 Star, 5 Star, or 6 Star rating based on these points:
4 Star Green Star
Best Practice
5 Star Green Star
Australian Excellence
6 Star Green Star
World Leadership
This rating tool measures operational performance and design and construction features, guiding sustainable outcomes through benchmarks set by the GBCA.
What is a Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP)?
A Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) is certified by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). They know the ins and outs of the Green Star rating system and help guide projects through the certification process.
GSAPs work closely with the design and construction team to align the project with Green Star goals—looking at things like energy use, water efficiency, materials, and indoor environment quality. A GSAP helps identify which credits are achievable, offers advice to improve the project’s sustainability performance, and ensures the right documentation is in place for certification.
- Help identify which credits are achievable and aligned with your project's goals
- Guide project teams through the documentation and submission process
- Provide strategic advice to maximise your project's rating potential
- Ensure the design and delivery align with Green Star benchmarks
A GSAP is your go-to expert for navigating Green Star and making sure your project gets the best rating it can.
What Types of Buildings & Projects Can Be Rated?
Green Star rating tools cover a wide range of project types:
Green Star – Buildings
New buildings and major refurbishments of existing buildings across commercial, industrial, multi-residential sectors, etc.
Green Star – Homes
Sustainable residential housing.
Green Star – Communities
Larger developments and master-planned precincts.
Green Star – Performance
Ongoing operational performance for existing buildings seeking improvements.
Green Star & The Future of Sustainable Construction
As Australian demand for sustainability grows, Green Star certification plays a critical role. It helps new buildings, and in some cases existing buildings, achieve applicable green star benchmarks in design, construction, and operational performance. It also drives climate action and resource conservation, setting a sustainability rating standard.
architects, builders,developers and investors see the value of Green Star in green star-certified projects. It showcases a commitment to sustainable practices and enhances long-term operational efficiency. By following Green Star guidelines, you can meet future needs, lower impacts, and increase asset appeal.
At SUHO, our GSAPs (Green Star Accredited Professionals) guide you through Green Star requirements, helping you achieve a Green Star rating. Our experts simplify certification, ensuring compliance with GBCA standards and maximizing outcomes. Get in touch to learn how Green Star can benefit your project.
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Ensure your project is built on sustainable principles.
Contact us today to see how we can tailor our services to meet your project's needs.
Contact us today to see how we can tailor our services to meet your project's needs.