Inside Green Star, 26th edition, September2025

17 Sep 2025

Inside Green Star - A word from Elham Monavari, Head of Green Star Strategic Delivery, GBCA

The results are in – overall satisfaction with Green Star has increased to 81%! 

This is a fantastic result and highlights the strong support for Green Star across the industry. 

Here’s what you told us: 

  • You enjoy communicating with GBCA staff (82% satisfaction) 
  • You support the Green Star rating tools (72% satisfaction) 
  • You value the technical service you receive (77% satisfaction) 
  • You find that most technical questions are fair (77% satisfaction) 
  • You’re supportive of the Green Star assessment process (72% satisfaction) 

As it relates to Green Star, you had suggestions for the Green Star submission portal (38% satisfaction), wanted an improvement to the fairness of assessment results (65% satisfaction), and increased timeliness (65% satisfaction).  

To continue building on the success of Green Star, we’re providing additional tailored training for Green Star users. The Green Building Forum is a new event that builds on our other training content, to provide actionable content. Importantly, it will feature a breakout on how to deliver a high performing submission, which will feature assessors to share with you the dos and don’ts when compiling a Green Star submission. This is aimed at helping you not only navigate Green Star’s requirements, but to also present your project’s successes in a way.   

We’ve heard that sometimes it’s hard to find the latest FAQs and resources. To help streamline that search, we’re introducing a Technical Newsletter which will sit alongside Inside Green Star to compile FAQs and resources you need to help with your Green Star submission.   

I’m also pleased to let you know that we’re actively expanding our assessment panel. We’ve added an extra 25 assessors to our Independent Assessment Panel. These industry experts are a critical part of the success of Green Star, and their recruitment reflects the increased number of assessment and certifications.  

Of course, while I welcome these new assessors, I would also like to acknowledge two of our longstanding assessors, who will retire from the assessment panel at the end of the year.  

Jonathan Dalton became an Assessor in March 2008. Known for his exceptional knowledge of energy reports, Jonathan has assessed over 120 rounds of submissions and contributed to the growth of Green Star – especially in Queensland.  

Phil Donaldson, another longstanding assessor joined the Green Star Assessment Panel in October 2014. Over the past 11 years, Phil has assessed over 50 rounds of submission. In addition to assessments, Phil is known for his knowledge and experience in applying sustainability across community precincts.  

On behalf of the GBCA, I thank them for their years of service, and in helping drive sustainability in the built environment.  

Important update on Green Star Buildings 

As we prepare to launch Green Star Buildings v1.1 later this year, the GBCA has extended the current Climate Positive Pathway requirements (the 2023 rules) for new Green Star Buildings v1 registrations until 30 April 2026. Projects registering under Green Star Buildings v1 before 30 April 2026 will be assessed using the current (2023) Climate Positive Pathway requirements. The scheduled 2026 rules will not come into effect for any star rating and from 1 May 2026, all new projects must register under Green Star Buildings v1.1.  

Learn more about the changes

We’re excited to announce the launch of The Green Building Forum! 

More than a rebrand, this is the evolution of Green Building Day. Reimagined with deeper technical insights, a sharper focus on practical application, and more ways to connect with peers and the Green Star team.   

Why attend?  

  • Be first to learn about Green Star Buildings v1.1  
  • Technical deep-dives into Green Star targeting and certified projects  
  • Interactive workshops and structured networking within the program 
  • Exciting new technical case studies 
  • Gain 6 Green Star CPD points   
Find out more and see the exciting speakers and projects we already have confirmed

Green Star Performance v1.2 transition period ending soon 

Close to 50 projects have registered under Green Star Performance version 2 since registrations opened in mid-2024, signalling strong endorsement of the tool and its value in driving more sustainable building operations over time. New projects have already been required to register under v2 since January this year. Now the transition period for existing projects using v1.2 is ending soon, as all projects will be required to register and submit under v2 from 1 January 2026 onwards.  

As we approach one of our busiest periods for Performance submissions it is important to be prepared. Our digital team is currently updating the Green Star Performance v2 online submission platform to enhance your experience. During this time, the platform will remain accessible for demo purposes only, and submissions will need to be made offline. Once registered, project teams should lodge a Fix / Modify Scorecard request to receive the relevant v2 submission templates and calculators. Should you need any support with your submission, please reach out to your Green Star Coordinator at the earliest opportunity. 

Responsible Products Framework – consultation period begins October 

The Responsible Products Framework was developed as part of GBCA’s Green Star Future Focus program in 2018 and released in 2020, in recognition that materials in our built environment have a massive role to play in reducing the environmental impact of our buildings. 

So far, the Responsible Products credits have been included in the Green Star Buildings and Communities tools, with Fitouts to come (currently under development). 

The current version of the Guidelines (Version A) has been used to recognise over 180 product standards, and 10,000 products that can be used to achieve Responsible Products credits. However, since its introduction in 2020, a lot has changed in the sector. The consultation paper is the result of a year’s long review of global product and governance frameworks in consultation with product certification initiatives, product manufacturers and industry, to understand drivers that are impacting our built environment, and more specifically the products and materials that make up our buildings, communities and fitouts. 

The drivers and the proposed changes have influenced the significant changes to the proposed Responsible Products Guidelines – Version B including: 

  • Minimum expectations 
  • Governance principles 
  • Technical criteria 

GBCA is holding a webinar on 7th October to release the Framework for consultation. We seek feedback from industry including: 

  • Product certification initiatives 
  • Product and material suppliers 
  • Environmentally sustainable design (ESD) consultants 
  • Subject matter experts i.e. Modern Slavery experts 
  • Peak bodies 

New Green Star resources 

Calculators 

  • Life Cycle Impacts Calculator - Green Star Buildings  
  • 15B GHG Building Energy Baselines Calculator - Green Star - Performance 
  • 17A Sustainable Transport Calculator - Green Star - Design & As Built  
  • Energy Use Calculator - Green Star Buildings 

 

Challenges 

  • Leadership Challenge: Time of Energy Use Template - Green Star Performance 
  • Leadership Challenge: Time of Energy Use - Grid Data - Green Star Performance 

 

Submission Template 

  • Carbon Neutral Submission Template - Green Star - Performance  

 

Other Resources 

  • Green Star Performance v2 Guidance on Submitting - Green Star Performance  
  • Green Star Communities v2 Guidance on Submission - Green Star Communities  
Available on the resource portal