Building Energy Ratings & Advice

08/10/2026

A big thank you to Hoek Modular Homes for inviting us into their space, and giving us a lovely tour of the homes we certify for energy efficiency!

01/10/2026

30/09/2026

100%!

Do you know what's using the most energy in your home? 🏡

Heating, cooling, and hot water are some of the biggest energy users, but you don't need a major renovation to make a difference.

That's one of the ideas behind Big Little Reno, a new TV show exploring practical and affordable ways Australians can make their homes more comfortable, energy efficient and cheaper to run.

We contributed to the pilot episode, with our Energy Social Scientist Dr Danie Nilsson bringing research on household energy decisions.

The episode also features our Energy Researcher Dr Andrew Law (pictured here with host Jenny Edwards) exploring why choosing energy efficient appliances matter.

Their top tips 👇

🔋 Assess your home's performance with a Home Energy Rating assessment to help prioritise improvements.
🧊 Improve insulation and draught sealing.
📈 Choose energy efficient appliances.
☀️ Consider solar and battery storage.

17/09/2026

A practical example of Queensland’s new formula method for Alts & Adds.
We’ve been completing a number of Alterations & Additions assessments under Queensland’s new formula method, and this recent project provided a particularly interesting example.
The existing dwelling was an older Queenslander that rated at 0 Stars.
Using the formula, we calculated the target Star Rating based on the existing part of the dwelling and the proportion of the proposed alterations and additions.
Rather than requiring the renovated dwelling to achieve 7 Stars, the calculated target was 4.7 Stars.

The design improvements included:
• Insulation to the new walls
• Insulation throughout the ceiling
• Appropriate glazing
• Improved ventilation

It’s a useful real-world example of how the new formula method can affect the energy efficiency assessment of renovation projects, particularly where a significant portion of the existing dwelling is retained.

Reach out if you have any questions.

15/09/2026

NCC 2025 is bringing major changes to commercial building energy efficiency.

From building fabric and glazing to roof design, solar PV requirements, mechanical plant efficiency and J1V3 Performance Solutions, for many projects, the practical impact will be substantial, with NCC 2025 becoming mandatory in most states from 1 May 2027.

Join David Walker, Commercial Lead at BERA, as he breaks down the key changes and compares NCC 2022 and NCC 2025 outcomes using real project examples.

This practical session will explore:
🔹 Which design elements are likely to be most affected
🔹 Where flexibility remains
🔹 What designers and consultants should consider now
🔹 How to prepare for NCC 2025

🗓️ Thursday, 24 September 2026
🕛 12:00–1:00 pm
💻 Online via Zoom

📲 Register via the link in our bio or use the link below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3017889076909/WN_5zHlxHS3TiuzoHZjqIeWOg #/registration

03/09/2026

🚨 Energy efficiency requirements have changed in Queensland. Are you across the new rules?

Join BDQ & Victoria Walker from BERA for a practical lunchtime session unpacking the latest changes to QDC MP 4.1 and what they mean for new builds and renovations.

This session will cover:

✔️ The latest QDC MP 4.1 changes
✔️ Which dwellings may qualify for reduced Star Rating requirements
✔️ What the removal of heating and cooling load caps means for certain dwellings
✔️ The new requirements for energy efficiency assessments of renovated dwellings

Free Webinar in partnership with BDQ.
Bring your lunch, bring your questions, and leave with a clearer understanding of what these changes mean for your projects.

Register via the link in BIO or:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/i2Ilm6UASpCgBfgkcpzk7A #/registration

🗓️ Thursday, 10 September 26

🕛 12 pm

💻 ZOOM Meeting

1CPD Point for BDQ members

More info:
https://bdqld.com.au/event/bdq-online-cpd-masterclass-with-bera/
https://www.housing.qld.gov.au/initiatives/modern-homes/transitional-arrangements



Free webinar.

01/09/2026

Kallara Cabin by Aphora Architecture | 2026 Australian Institute of Architects Awards

We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of Kallara Cabin by Aphora Architecture, which has received multiple prestigious accolades across the 2026 Australian Institute of Architects Awards.

🏆 2026 Darling Downs & West Moreton Regional Architecture Awards
House of the Year
People’s Choice Award
Residential Architecture – Houses (New) — Commendation
Small Project Architecture — Commendation

🏆 2026 Queensland Architecture Awards
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Located in the Darling Downs & West Moreton region of Queensland, Kallara Cabin is a thoughtful project exploring meaningful occupation of site and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

We’re proud to have contributed to Kallara Cabin as the Energy Efficiency Consultant, working alongside the project team to support its performance outcomes.
It’s great to see this project receive such well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations to all teams involved 👏

Architecture: Aphora Architecture
Builder: Alan Bell Builder
Photographer: Andy Macpherson Studio
Engineer: Westera Partners
Energy Efficiency Consultant: BERA

28/08/2026

Fun times at the HIA Building Women awards - thanks for the invite Building Approvals and Advice !

23/08/2026

It's quite a long document. We are here to explain and apply it for you.

We’ve simplified the building requirements in the Queensland Development Code for the Modern Home Standards.

This means:
✅ Simpler, more flexible design requirements: suited to different lot sizes, housing types and renovation stages across Queensland’s varied climate.

✅ Less red tape and more guidance: new compliance pathways in the Queensland Development Code, supported by practical resources, case studies and drawings.

✅ Greater certainty and buildability: clearer requirements that are easier to apply on the ground.

For more information, visit: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/building-property-development/building-construction/laws-codes-standards/queensland-development-code

21/08/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 🏆

On Friday 7 August, we had the pleasure of attending the Building Design Queensland 2026 Awards at the Heritage Room, Cloudland, Fortitude Valley.

It was a fantastic evening celebrating the outstanding talent, creativity and dedication within Queensland’s building design community.

We’re fortunate to work with many talented designers, and we genuinely love seeing our clients succeed and receive recognition for their work.

A huge congratulations to all of the 2026 winners, including:

𝐂𝐔 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧
• Commercial Alterations and Additions – Ivy Rose
• Commercial Interiors – Ivy Rose
• Residential Interiors – Snow Drop
• Best Bathroom – Buttercup
• Best Kitchen – Snowdrop
• Best Space – Ivy Rose
• Conceptual Design – Residential – Summit Ash
• Conceptual Design – Interior – Summit Ash

𝐆𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐎'𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧
• Residential Renovation up to $750K – Project Elson
• New Home up to $1M – Fernlea

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
• Small Home Design – Moon Court Project

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧
• Small Lot Design – APEX
• New Home $1M–$2M – VERVE
• New Home $2M–$3M – BLACKPOOL

𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧
• Resilient Building Design – Kedron Beauty

Congratulations to all the winners and everyone involved in making these projects happen! 👏