21 Oct 2025
Updated rating tool strengthens action on carbon, nature and circular economy while simplifying delivery for project teams.
As governments tighten disclosure rules and investors demand stronger sustainability credentials, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has launched Green Star Buildings v1.1, to ensure Australia’s built environment stays ahead of the curve.
Unveiled at the Green Building Forum in Brisbane, the updated tool for new buildings and major refurbishments builds on the success of Green Star Buildings v1 – which has already driven major progress on carbon – while reflecting the latest thinking on climate action, nature, and circular economy. It also responds directly to feedback from the people who use it.
Green Star Buildings is already used by hundreds of projects across commercial, residential, health, education and public infrastructure.
Developed with input from more than 700 project teams and aligned with global best practice, Green Star Buildings v1.1 ensures Australian buildings continue to meet evolving investor, government and market expectations.
“Green Star Buildings v1.1 is designed for what’s next,” said Jorge Chapa, Chief Impact Officer at GBCA.
“It builds on the strong carbon outcomes of v1 and brings nature and circularity to the forefront –making it easier for teams to deliver buildings that are low-carbon, nature-positive and future-ready.”
Building on strong climate foundations
The update strengthens the Climate Positive Pathway, building on the success of Green Star Buildings v1 to close key emissions gaps and give projects a clearer, more consistent path to decarbonisation.
“We’ve focused on a new set of issues, from refrigerants to energy flexibility, and a continued focus on upfront carbon, to help set up the sector to succeed through to 2030,” Mr Chapa said.
Bringing nature to the forefront
Green Star Buildings v1.1 introduces a Nature Positive Pathway, helping projects actively enhance biodiversity.
· From 2028, projects pursuing a 6 Star rating must demonstrate a 10% net gain in biodiversity, or no net loss where sites are greenfield.
· All projects will be required to report nature-related metrics in line with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).
· Updated credits support outcomes on light pollution, waterway protection and long-term stewardship.
“It’s no longer enough to focus on carbon, the next generation of buildings must put nature at the forefront too,” Mr Chapa said.
Circular design gets a boost
A new Design for Circularity credit encourages smarter material choices, adaptability and reuse from day one. It helps project teams get ahead of emerging circular economy regulations, improve asset resilience, and reduce waste.
Samantha Peart, Chair of the Technical Advisory Group Global and Head of Sustainability, Hassell said v1.1 keeps the focus firmly on the areas that matter most, from cutting carbon and restoring nature to embedding circular design.
“It gives project teams the tools to meet investor expectations, respond to policy shifts, and create places that are resilient, low-carbon and future-ready,” Ms Peart said.
More flexibility, less friction
Green Star Buildings v1.1 includes over 100 usability improvements, simplifying technical language, reducing interpretation risk, and improving clarity. Several credits now offer stepped point structures to allow for better recognition of project outcomes.
Simpler access to sustainable finance
All buildings rated under Green Star Buildings v1.1 – no matter the star rating – are aligned with the climate mitigation new construction criteria in the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
Aligned with policy, backed by industry
Green Star Buildings v1.1 is designed to support upcoming regulatory moves, including:
· mandatory carbon disclosure (Scope 1 and 2)
· circular economy policies
· nature reporting frameworks (TNFD)
· National Construction Code updates focused on energy and performance.
It also aligns with the NABERS upfront carbon tool, creating consistency across government and private sector standards.
Patrick Campbell, Chair, Sustainable Buildings Expert Reference Panel said Green Star Buildings v1.1 comes at the right time.
“It reflects the real-world shifts we’re seeing in investment, policy, and procurement. The updates will help projects stay ahead of regulatory change, while aligning with frameworks like NABERS and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD). It’s a future-proofed framework that balances ambition with practicality,” Mr Campbell said.
Supporting industry through the transition
GBCA is providing a full suite of updated resources to help project teams make the switch including updated submission guidelines, calculators and tools, and a refreshed training program.
Green Star Buildings v1.1 is now open for registration. All new projects will be required to register under the updated tool from 1 May 2026.
The transition period to register projects under Buildings v1 will end 30 April 2026. Projects already registered under v1 may voluntarily upgrade to v1.1.
You can learn more here