29 Jul 2026
If you noticed May and June felt a little quieter on the Green Star front, you're not imagining it. For the first time in a long time, we haven't just wrapped an event series in the middle of the year and we missed your bright faces warming up the winter. But quiet doesn't mean idle. This is what we've come to think of as our listening season: less time under lights, more time on the rating tools and the support you need.
There's been plenty happening behind the curtain. The Green Star Online submission platform for Green Star Fitouts and Green Star Buildings v1.1 launches next week and includes features and updates you asked for, including offline resources, so get your Demo projects running. New resources have also landed to support Buildings v1.1, giving project teams clearer guidance as they move through the rating tool. And if you're still considering Green Star Interiors, take note: registrations close on 1 October, as the pathway completes its transition to Green Star Fitouts.
We've also released new marketing rules for Green Star - part of making sure that when someone makes a claim about a Green Star outcome, it means what it says. It's the same principle underpinning our recent Certification Counts campaign: in a market where sustainability claims are easy to make and harder to verify, the systems behind those claims matter more, not less. Certification amplifies achievements; equivalency dampens them down.
Speaking of listening, our annual Green Star Satisfaction Survey closed with a record number of responses this year, and we mean it when we say we're still working through the comments because there's a lot of considered generous feedback in there. We're paying attention, and you'll see more of that reflected as the year goes on.
So, consider this our mid-year check-in: not an event, but an update from behind the scenes. The platforms, resources and rules above are the groundwork; the survey is us listening to what should come next. Both matter, even when neither one draws a crowd.
There's plenty more happening too, including upcoming courses in August and September and further updates on the way. Green Building Forum is on the horizon, so I hope to see you then. As always, thank you for being a big part in the future we're building together.
The new online submission platform for Green Star Fitouts v1 and Green Star Buildings v1.1 is scheduled to launch from the 4th of August. As part of the transition, there will be a scheduled maintenance period from 31 July 6pm AEST, with target completion by 3 August, during which the platform will be temporarily unavailable. Once live, project teams will be able to prepare and lodge submissions through the new platform, access the latest submission resources and guidance, and create a demo project to explore the system. Project teams using Green Star Buildings v1 will not be impacted and can continue their submission using the current platform.
Building on the foundation of Green Star Interiors, our new Fitouts rating tool provides a clear, practical framework to deliver lower-carbon, lower-waste, healthier and more adaptable fitouts. From 1 October onwards, all new projects will need to register under Green Star Fitouts. During the transition period projects can register under either rating tool. Project teams who are intending to use Green Star – Interiors v1.3 on a project and haven’t yet registered it are encouraged to start the registration process as soon as possible. Registration involves providing us with the project details using the online registration form, agreeing to the Certification Agreement online, and paying the Certification Fee. If you have any questions about registering your project, please contact our Market Engagement team.
Learn moreAre you aiming to achieve Green Star certification for your project? Are you wanting to plan ahead for this year?
We understand that many project teams have timelines set around major events. To support this, we've created the guidelines below (based on typical time frames), which specify the deadlines you'll need to meet to have your project certified in time for key milestones.
Please note that processing times at the end of year, and end of financial year, are extended due to peaks in submissions during these periods. Please be advised these dates are indicative only.
Christmas 2026
Round 1
Submission deadline: 24 July 2026
Results issued (approx.): 18 September 2026
Round 2
Submission deadline: 16 October 2026
Results issued (approx.): 11 December 2026
Christmas 2026 (Round 1 Results Only)
Submission deadline: 23 October 2026
Results issued (approx.): 18 December 2026
EOFY / GRESB Reporting (30 June 2027)
Round 1
Submission deadline: 19 February 2027
Results issued (approx.): 16 April 2027
Round 2
Submission deadline: 14 May 2027
Results issued (approx.): 25 June 2027
Important dates to remember:
GBCA office is closed on all NSW public holidays.
The GBCA office will be closed from Thursday 24 December 2026 and reopen on Thursday 6 January 2027. In addition, the GBCA will pause standard processing from the 14th of December 2026 – 8th of January 2027. You will still be able to submit requests, however processing times will be extended. This includes any requests due during this period.
The GBCA thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions about these deadlines, please talk to your project's GBCA Coordinator - we're here to help!
On 23 July, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water announced the closure of the Climate Active certification program.
A consultation paper has been released, and an eight-week consultation period commenced. A final decision is expected before the end of 2026.
Climate Active certification, the use of the term 'carbon neutral' and the Climate Active trademarks will wind down over a proposed 12- to 18-month transition. A proposed option under consideration is for the Buildings standard to remain, with GBCA and NABERS continuing to certify to it, though under different arrangements, yet to be determined.
To learn more and to make a formal submission, please visit the Have Your Say platform. The Department is seeking input from participants, and your views on the options and transition to inform and shape a final decision, including how building certification are to be handled.
What this means to you
If you're currently registered and are reconsidering your plans, please contact the GBCA. We can talk through your options, such as carrying through or withdrawing from the program at no penalty and can support your project’s climate related goals.
Your input matters to us too. The GBCA will be running a briefing session to walk through the changes and answer your questions. Details will be shared shortly.
Climate Active was a key program in our built environment's decarbonisation strategy. It served to provide an aligned standard that built on the work of Green Star and NABERS to guide action for reducing operating emissions and upfront carbon emissions.
About Climate Active
Climate Active for buildings was a key program in the built environment's decarbonisation strategy. It served to provide an aligned standard that bolstered the work of Green Star and NABERS – to guide action for reducing operating emissions and upfront carbon emissions.
Get in touch
The GBCA continues to be committed to accelerating the decarbonisation of Australia’s built environment. We are proud of the work done with the program and look forward to working with industry to continue driving all electric, highly efficient buildings, built with lower upfront carbon and powered by renewables.
For further questions and to discuss, please reach out.
The new Green Star Marketing Rules are here to help teams tell their project story with more clarity and confidence. Bringing together messaging, guidance and inspiration library in one place, the new Marketing Rules support clearer communications across rating tools, project stages and channels.
Download the Marketing RulesGreen Star certified is a trusted mark of quality that verifies environmental goals are achieved on projects. Our new Certification Counts info pack includes guidance around sustainability language, how to avoid greenwashing and the risks of self-assessment. This is an essential resource for developers, project teams, government agencies and consultants engaged to work on sustainable building projects.
Download the Certification Counts packThe roll out of technical resources for Green Star Buildings v1.1 is nearly complete with a number of key calculators and guides recently added to the Green Star Resources Portal. Project teams are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Buildings v1.1 offline resources as the submission process is evolving for Buildings v1.1. In response to industry feedback, we are providing more offline resources which will be completed and submitted as part of a project’s Green Star Buildings v1.1 online submission with a view to making the process more efficient and user friendly.
Upcoming Greeen Star Training Courses
For any queries, or in house training, contact education@gbca.org.au