Certification fees
A certification fee applies to projects pursuing a Green Star certified rating and covers the standard
Green Star certification process. The fees are based on the rating tool and Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) membership status of the applicant.
The fees on this page are valid until 30 June 2021.
What’s included in your Certification Fee?
The following items are included:
- The standard certification services from GBCA
- Access to a technical coordinator for your project
- The certification certificate
- License to use the certification trade mark once certified, to promote your project
- A decal recognising the Green Star certification for use in your building, precinct or fit-out for ratings 4 star and over.
Please see ‘Additional Fees’ below for a list of other fees that may arise, and ‘Things you need to know’ before proceeding with registration.
Additional benefits for members:
Where the applicant is a GBCA member at the time of registering the project, the following inclusions apply.
- For projects where the certification fee is over $10,000, we will provide two hours of technical support to be selected by the project team from the following options:
- a two hour ‘on-boarding’ workshop to introduce project teams to the process; or
- two free technical questions; or
- two hours of coaching.
- Potential eligibility for Volume Certification (for Design & As Built, Interiors and Communities ratings) and Portfolio Certification (for Performance ratings) approaches.
- For projects where the project value is over $200M, or deemed highly complex/unusual, four hours of technical support will be provided.
To become a member you need to register your organisation (which includes a membership fee).
Fees are based on the rating tool and the applicant's membership status, as outlined below:
- Green Star – Communities: for communities, precincts and neighbourhoods
- Green Star Buildings and Green Star – Design & As Built: for new buildings and major refurbishments
- Green Star – Interiors: for fit-outs
- Green Star – Performance: for building operations
Green Star – Communities certification fee
For communities, precincts and neighbourhoods
Fees excl. GST.
Please note GBCA member discounted fees apply for Green Star Communities projects in New Zealand, where the applicant is a member of the New Zealand Green Building Council.
| Project type | GBCA member discounted fee | Non-member full fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single project certification | $48,800 | $53,800 |
| Government single project certification | $36,600 | $41,600 |
| University Campus | $36,600 | $41,600 |
Additional certification options
Multiple project certification options are available for Green Star – Communities.
Recertification fees
Green Star – Communities certifications expire 5 years from date of certification.
Projects must register for recertification in the Green Star Project Manager portal, agreeing to a new certification agreement and payment of the recertification fee.
Projects can use the version of the rating tool they were previously certified under, or they can upgrade to the current version (or upgrade some of the credits to the current version).
Recertification fees for Green Star – Communities: $15,300 (GBCA Member discounted fee); $20,300 (full fee). Fees excl. GST.
Green Star Buildings and Green Star – Design & As Built certification fees
For new buildings or major refurbishments
The certification fee for Green Star Buildings and Green Star – Design & As Built are based on the project’s contract value. Fees excl. GST.
| Contract value ($ million) | GBCA member discounted fee | Non-member |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $1m | $8,200 | $13,200 |
| $1 - $3m | $11,250 | $16,250 |
| $3 - $5m | $13,300 | $18,300 |
| $5 - $10m | $15,300 | $20,300 |
| $10 - $20m | $18,400 | $23,400 |
| $20 - $30m | $20,400 | $25,400 |
| $30 - $50m | $23,400 | $28,400 |
| $50 - $75m | $27,500 | $32,500 |
| $75 - $100m | $31,100 | $36,100 |
| $100 - $150m | $34,900 | $39,900 |
| $150 - $200m | $38,400 | $43,400 |
| $200 - $250m | $42,200 | $47,200 |
| $250m+ | $45,750 | $50,750 |
Additional certification options
Multiple project certification options are available for Green Star Buildings and Green Star – Design & As Built and must be agreed to with GBCA before registration.
If you have a question about fees, registration or for more information, contact the Market Engagement team.
Green Star - Interiors certification fees
For new fitouts
The certification fee for Green Star – Interiors is based on the project’s contract value. Fees excl. GST.
Contract value | GBCA member discounted fee | Non-member full fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $1m | $8,200 | $13,200 |
| $1 - $3m | $11,250 | $16,250 |
| $3 - $5m | $13,300 | $18,300 |
| $5 - $10m | $15,300 | $20,300 |
| $10 - $20m | $18,400 | $23,400 |
| $20 - $30m | $20,400 | $25,400 |
| $30 - $50m | $23,400 | $28,400 |
| $50 - $75m | $27,500 | $32,500 |
| $75 - $100m | $31,100 | $36,100 |
| $100 - $150m | $34,900 | $39,900 |
| $150 - $200m | $38,400 | $43,400 |
| $200 - $250m | $42,200 | $47,200 |
| $250m+ | $45,750 | $50,750 |
Additional certification options
Multiple project certification options are available for Green Star – Interiors.
Green Star – Performance certification fees
For building operations
The certification fee for Green Star – Performance is based on the project’s Gross Floor Area (GFA).
Single building certification
Standard fee option
Paid every three years. Fees excl. GST.
| Building size (Total GFA) | GBCA member discounted fee | Non-member full fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 9,999m² | $7,150 | $8,500 |
| 10,000 - 29,999m² | $7,900 | $9,400 |
| 30,000m² + | $8,650 | $10,300 |
Green Star – Performance ratings are valid for three years. In order to maintain your rating during this period, your project team must meet complete mandatory performance check-ups at 12 and 24 months. Prior to the end of your certification period, you can begin a new performance period and register for re-assessment. This will allow you to maintain or improve your Green Star – Performance rating. The check-ups at 12 and 24 months are included within the certification fee above.
Annual fee option
Paid yearly. Fees excl. GST.
GBCA member discounted fee | Non-member full fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Single certification | $3,050 | $3,600 |
Portfolio of buildings certification
Portfolio certification is available to members only.
Required fees
The fees below include assessment of all portfolio level credits (e.g. policy based credits) as well as ‘Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ and ‘Potable Water’ and provide you with a portfolio rating, and a basic rating for each building. Fees excl. GST.
| Standard fee* | Annual fee† | |
|---|---|---|
| Flat fee per portfolio | $16,100 | $5,560 |
| Buildings with NABERS Energy rating | $275 / building | $120 / building |
| Buildings without NABERS Energy rating | $460 / building | $170 / building |
* Paid every three years.
† Paid yearly
Optional fees
The additional fees below allow you to submit all other credits unique to the building rather than the portfolio (e.g. ‘Daylight’) and provide that building with a full rating.
| Standard fee* | Annual fee† | |
|---|---|---|
| Additional fee to assess individual building credits | $1,950 / building | $670 / building |
* Paid every three years.
† Paid yearly.
Large portfolios
Additional discounts are provided for portfolios with over 80 buildings.
Portfolio Performance Fee Calculator
To help applicants model fees, including discounts, a fee calculator has been made available on our website.
Additional fees
These fees are for services in addition to the standard certification process with the certification fee addresses.
| Item | Fee (excl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Technical question (formerly known as CIR and Technical Clarification) | $200 per query |
| Credit-by-Credit Assessment | Ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per credit, depending on credit being reviewed. |
| Licensing Agreement | $800 per agreement |
| Novation Agreement | $400 per agreement |
Things you need to know
- Prices shown are excluding GST. Be sure to add GST.
- Fees are subject to change without notice and are reviewed at least once every financial year.
- Once a project is registered there is a no-refund policy.
- Assessments will not be scheduled until payments for all project invoices have been received.
- Items you receive as part of your certification fee are not transferable, exchangeable or refundable. All items are valid while the project is registered. Once a project is certified any unused items are forfeited.
Project contract value
The project contract value is defined as the dollar value required to complete the works for the entire project, including site works. The following may be excluded when determining total contract value:
- demolition works.
- consultants, design fees, project management fees.
- works outside the site area.
- buildings or areas within the site that are not being assessed for purposes of Green Star.
Where a number of amenities or services are shared between stages in a larger development, GBCA expects that the cost apportioned to the rated stage is equivalent to the use that the stage will have of these facilities.
If you have a question about fees, registration or for more information, contact the Market Engagement team.
Contact us Register your project