Seven stars has been mandatory for new homes in Victoria since 1 May 2024. The star rating covers building fabric only, so solar will not lift it. Solar counts toward the separate Whole of Home rating instead.
What the NatHERS star rating actually measures
The National House Energy Rating Scheme rates a home out of 10 stars using accredited software that models how the building will perform in each Australian climate zone. What it measures is the thermal performance of the building fabric: floor, walls, windows and roof.
That is worth being clear about, because plenty of marketing suggests otherwise. Insulation, orientation to the sun, glazing, shading, airtightness and thermal bridging move the star rating. Appliances and rooftop solar do not.
Where does solar fit if it cannot raise the star rating
Alongside the star rating, a new home has to meet a separate Whole of Home rating, scored from 0 to 100 and up. That one covers fixed appliances, and it also counts onsite renewable generation and battery storage.
So the honest version of the solar story for builders is this. A rooftop system will not add a star. It is one of the main ways to meet the Whole of Home requirement, and the alternative is spending more on the appliances and equipment counted in that same assessment.
How the step from six stars landed
Six stars was the minimum for years, so moving to seven meant real changes to how homes are designed and detailed. Victoria then adopted NCC 2025 on 1 May 2026 with no residential energy efficiency changes, so the framework carries over unchanged.
What a genuine 7-star home gives the buyer
- More comfort through cold Bendigo mornings and hot summers
- Less energy used for heating and cooling
- Lower running costs
- Fewer greenhouse gas emissions
What the 2027 electrification dates mean for your builds
Two Victorian dates are worth designing around now. From 1 January 2027, all new homes in Victoria must be built all-electric. From 1 March 2027, existing homes replacing a gas hot water system at end of life must fit an efficient electric alternative, such as a heat pump.
For a new build that means no gas connection, so hot water, cooking and heating all sit on the electrical load. Sizing a solar system around that load, and leaving switchboard and wall space for a battery even if the buyer adds it later, is far cheaper at frame stage than as a retrofit.
Rebates on a home under construction
The Solar Victoria solar panel (PV) rebate is open to homes under construction, not just existing homes. It is worth up to 50% of the purchase cost to a maximum of $1,400, calculated after other discounts including small-scale technology certificates. Income and property value tests apply, and rebates are released in capped monthly batches, so timing matters on a build program. Worth flagging with your clients: the hot water rebate is for existing homes only.
Talk to us before the roof goes on
We have been installing solar around Bendigo for over 10 years, with our own team rather than subcontractors, and most installs are finished in a single visit. If you are planning a development or a single new home, get in touch and we will work through the panel, inverter and battery options that suit the roof you are building. Call (03) 5439 5317 or use our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How does NatHERS check energy efficiency?
NatHERS uses accredited computer software to model how a house will perform in different climate zones across Australia. It assesses the thermal performance of the building fabric, not the appliances.
Does solar count toward a 7-star rating?
No. Rooftop solar cannot raise a NatHERS star rating, because the star rating covers building fabric only. Solar counts toward the separate Whole of Home rating, which does include onsite generation and storage.
How much does it cost to get a 7-star energy rating?
It depends on the design, and anyone quoting a flat figure is guessing. The cost sits in the things that move the rating: glazing specification, insulation levels, orientation, shading, airtightness and thermal bridging. Getting orientation and window sizing right early is usually the cheapest path, because it reduces what you have to spend everywhere else.
What are some requirements for a 7-star home?
Orientation to the sun, insulation, window size and shading, ventilation, airtightness and thermal bridging.
