Media Release
From the Building Commissioner
28 January 2010
Sustainability stars in home building and renovating
If you build a new home or renovate an old one in Victoria, it must comply with energy efficiency
and water saving regulations, known as 5 Star.
Almost all building or renovation projects that involve new building work or home extensions will
need to comply with 5 Star. Minor work that does not require a building permit is not required to
meet the 5 Star Standard.
When planning to build a new home or renovate or relocate an existing house in Victoria, you
should contact a building designer, a builder or a building surveyor for advice on 5 Star
compliance. Before you start any building work, you will need to demonstrate that your plans
meet these requirements. Your council or private building surveyor will then issue a building
permit and can conduct inspections during the construction, making sure it complies. On
completion you will benefit from a greater range of energy efficiency and water saving features,
increased comfort and reduced household energy bills.
The requirements to meet 5 Star are straightforward. New homes must meet the 5 Star standard
for the thermal performance of the roof, external walls and floors, plus include a rainwater tank
for toilet flushing or a solar hot water system.
Home alterations and relocations only require 5 Star thermal performance and are not mandated
to install a rainwater tank or a solar hot water system.
5 Star is flexible with considerable choice to meet the requirements. Conventional, readily-
available materials and building techniques can easily meet 5 Star, which means homeowners,
builders, and designers have almost infinite options in the design and construction of their
homes to comply. Simply:
Design your home to suit its construction. Houses with concrete slab floors and those
with suspended timber floors each perform differently in summer and winter. For
example, carpet can provide timber floored homes with extra floor insulation for warmth
in winter whereas tiles on a concrete slab will make it easier for the floor to store solar
energy collected through good passive design
Insulate walls, ceilings and suspended timber floors to reduce heat losses in winter and
heat gains in summer
Consider the internal layout of your home to enhance energy efficiency, such as locating
windows opposite one another to create cool breezes, and minimising large stairwells so
your home does not loose valuable warmth
Utilize windows to improve energy efficiency by making use of the large range of high
performance energy efficiency glazing products on the market
Consider your home’s orientation by having living spaces positioned to make the most of
northerly sunlight through appropriate window orientation, sizing and shading
Make better use of the sun by shading windows in summer with eaves, verandahs
external blinds and tailored landscaping
Install the best available water-saving showerheads, taps and fittings.
The key to 5 Star is good design, so work closely with your designer or builder, and remember to
use a registered builder for all work over $5,000.
For more on the 5 Star Standard contact the Building Commission on 1300 815 127 or visit
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