Don't Let Energy Efficiency Requirements Derail Your Queensland Build
October 13, 2025
Navigating the NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Requirements
Building a new home in Queensland has become more complex since the introduction of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 energy efficiency standards. Since May 2024, all new homes must achieve a 7-star energy equivalence rating – and frankly, it's catching a lot of families (and builders) off guard.
Getting the details right from the start means smoother approvals and fewer surprises down the track. It’s the difference between costly hold-ups and a build that stays on schedule — creating a home you’ll love living in for years to come.
Here's what we've learned from helping families navigate these new requirements and how you can avoid the common mistakes that can delay builds.
Don’t let Energy Efficiency be a second thought
When it comes to energy efficiency, it can’t be determined until your design plans are complete and late-stage redesigns can easily push out timelines and budgets. That’s why we've learned that understanding these requirements upfront isn't just helpful – it's essential to keeping your project on track.
When poles cost you stars
If you're planning a Granny Flat, here's something that might surprise you. When your build isn't on a concrete slab and goes up on poles or stilts instead, you typically lose 2-3 energy efficiency stars. The exposed underfloor area creates thermal issues that hurt your overall rating.
We get it, sometimes you need to build on poles due to flood requirements, slope, or just personal preference. But factor this into your energy strategy from day one. There are design solutions to help compensate, but they need to be planned from the start, not discovered during assessment.
Orientation can be your saving grace
Queensland's climate can work for you or against you, and it all comes down to smart design choices. Orientation is critical to hitting your 7-star rating.
Northern-facing living is essential. They capture the gentle winter sun while being easier to shade in summer. Plus, if you’re building on poles and your floor plan has a northern aspect living area, you will claw back at least 1.5 stars.
Western windows likely require shading devices as they let in the afternoon sun right when you need your home coolest.
If your block or design means you need western windows, bigger eaves can save the day. It's a simple design tweak that prevents you from needing expensive fixes elsewhere.
We've seen families stress about complex solutions when smart orientation and window placement could have solved their energy challenges from the beginning and it’s these simple solutions that we too have learnt along the way.
Small changes = big impact
Energy efficiency isn't just about the big structural stuff. Some of the most effective improvements come from thoughtful details:
Accessibility features: Wider doorways improve air circulation, and the 1-metre square bathroom requirement often leads to better ventilation design overall.
Insulation: We're seeing 6-star ceiling batts become standard practice to help hit overall building performance. Combine that with ceiling fans and quality internal blinds, and you're creating a comprehensive climate control system.
Colour choice: Roof and external wall colours impact your rating. Light colours reflect Queensland's intense heat, while dark colours absorb it – something that can make or break your assessment.
Waterproofing: Quality waterproofing isn't just about preventing damage, it's integral to achieving your energy rating by stopping thermal bridging and air leakage.
How we help families avoid the Energy Efficiency trap
We've invested heavily in understanding these requirements because we know your approval timeline directly impacts your family's plans. Energy efficiency isn't something we tack on at the end – it's woven into every design decision from the start.
We work with energy assessors who understand Queensland's unique challenges. We factor in everything from your block's orientation to your roof colour choices, treating it all as one integrated system rather than separate boxes to tick.
When council or certifiers come back with questions about energy performance, we're ready with clear, complete answers that keep your project moving forward.
Don't navigate this alone
The 7-star requirement can be overwhelming, and if you hit roadblocks, this can cost months and thousands in additional fees.
If your project is facing energy efficiency challenges, or if you want to get it right from the start, you don't have to battle it alone. Our team has decades of experience, and we know building in South-East Queensland can be confusing, and energy efficiency adds another layer of complexity that most people shouldn't have to navigate solo.
Ready to ensure your Queensland build meets all the energy efficiency requirements without delays? Let's talk about how we can help you create a home that's comfortable, efficient, and approved the first time around.
Book in a discovery call and let’s build your dream into a reality.
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