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2026 terminology guide

Home Energy Rating vs NatHERS vs Residential Efficiency Scorecard

The terms are related, but they are not interchangeable. Use Home Energy Rating for the current assessment of a completed home, use the relevant NatHERS and Whole of Home pathway for a proposed new home, and use Residential Efficiency Scorecard only when discussing the program that closed on 23 June 2026.

Official guidance reviewed 1 September 2026Assessment names, certificate rules and jurisdictional approval requirements can change. Use the official certificate guidance and confirm the project pathway before relying on an assessment.
Compare the pathways

Choose by building stage, output and purpose

Current existing-home service

Home Energy Rating

An assessor records a completed home on site using the current national existing-home method.

Use it when

The home is already built and the household needs current performance information or upgrade guidance.

Certificate includes
  • Home Energy Rating from 0 to 100+
  • Star Rating from 0 to 10
  • Estimated annual energy use
  • Upgrade guidance
Important boundary

This existing-home certificate cannot demonstrate National Construction Code compliance.

Open the existing-home rating guide
Current new-home pathway

NatHERS and Whole of Home

A plan-based assessment models a proposed design before construction using coordinated plans, specifications and fixed system details.

Use it when

A proposed new home or applicable major renovation needs design testing or evidence for the confirmed approval pathway.

Certificate can include
  • Thermal Star Rating from 0 to 10
  • Whole of Home rating from 0 to 100+
  • Modelled design information
  • Certificate status and assumptions
Important boundary

The correct new-home certificate can support National Construction Code evidence when it meets the jurisdiction and approval requirements.

Open the new-home NatHERS guide
Closed legacy program

Residential Efficiency Scorecard

Scorecard was the earlier government-supported existing-home rating program and is still common in older pages, certificates and search queries.

Current status

The program closed on 23 June 2026. No new Scorecard assessment should be advertised or booked.

Use the term only for
  • Historical program information
  • Older Scorecard certificates
  • Explaining the 2026 transition
  • Directing users to the current service
Correct next step

A household seeking a current existing-home assessment should ask about Home Energy Rating.

Read the Scorecard transition guide
Simple decision path

Start with the building stage

  1. 01

    Home already built

    Use Home Energy Rating for a current on-site assessment and upgrade guidance.

  2. 02

    Home still being designed

    Use the relevant new-home NatHERS pathway, including Whole of Home where applicable.

  3. 03

    Old page says Scorecard

    Treat it as legacy information and check the current Home Energy Rating service.

Official source

Existing-home certificate guidance

Home Energy Rating explains the 0 to 100+ rating, Star Rating, estimated energy use, upgrade information and NCC boundary for completed homes.

Read the existing-home certificate guide
Official source

New-home certificate guidance

Home Energy Rating explains the thermal Star Rating, Whole of Home rating and regulatory purpose of a new-home certificate.

Read the new-home certificate guide
Official source

Official Scorecard closure notice

Home Energy Rating recorded that Residential Efficiency Scorecard closed on 23 June 2026 during the transition to the expanded national pathway.

Read the Scorecard closure notice
Clear answers

Home rating terminology questions

Question

Which rating should I ask for if my home is already built?

Ask about the current Home Energy Rating pathway. It assesses the completed home on site and provides a Home Energy Rating from 0 to 100+, a Star Rating from 0 to 10, estimated annual energy use and upgrade guidance.

Question

Is Home Energy Rating the same as NatHERS Whole of Home?

No. Home Energy Rating is the consumer service for a completed home. Whole of Home is the 0 to 100+ rating used with the thermal Star Rating in the applicable new-home NatHERS certificate pathway.

Question

Can an existing-home Home Energy Rating demonstrate NCC compliance?

No. An existing-home certificate cannot demonstrate National Construction Code compliance. A proposed new home or major renovation that needs regulatory evidence must use the relevant new-home certificate and approval pathway.

Question

Can I still book Residential Efficiency Scorecard?

No. Residential Efficiency Scorecard closed on 23 June 2026. The term remains useful for finding historical information, but no new Scorecard assessment should be advertised or booked.

Still unsure?

Describe the building stage and purpose first

Tell the assessment team whether the home is proposed or already built, where it is located and what the rating must support. That is enough to identify the current pathway before detailed evidence is supplied.

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