Victoria’s 7-Star Homes:

Q: Q: When do these updated standards come into effect?

Victoria and Queensland adopted the rules from 1 May 2024 , South Australia from 1 October 2024 , and Western Australia from 1 May 2025 .

Smarter Living, Lower Bills, Cleaner Future

Today, we’re exploring Victoria’s 7-Star Homes. New rules and smart technologies are changing how homes are built and upgraded. Whether you’re building, renovating, or investing, these updates matter.

At HP Energy, we help homes and businesses across Victoria, NSW, QLD, and SA save energy and money. With 14 years of experience and a team combining over 50 years of expertise, we know one thing: the future of homebuilding is efficient, durable, and renewable.

What’s Changing:

VIC's Updated Building Standards

Victoria’s National Construction Code 2022 (NCC 2022), which came into effect on 1 May 2024, now mandates:

A 7-Star NatHERS Standard (up from 6 stars) for all new homes, boosting comfort and lowering energy costs.
A Whole-of-Home Annual Energy Use Budget, including fixed appliances like heating, lighting, and hot water, with solar panels able to offset usage
Future-ready infrastructure, making it easier to retrofit solar PV, EV chargers, and batteries in apartments and commercial buildings
Removal of older mandates like solar water heaters or rainwater tanks, giving homeowners real flexibility in hot water system choice

Starting 2027:

New Electrification & Efficiency Standards

Victoria is phasing in sweeping electrification reforms for buildings—residential and commercial:

Application Type	Key Changes Starting From
New builds	All-electric systems mandatory (incl. kitchens) from 1 Jan 2027
Owner-occupiers	From 1 Mar 2027, broken gas hot water systems must be replaced with electric alternatives (e.g., heat pumps)
Rental properties	From 1 Mar 2027, upgrades required include: • Efficient electric heating or RCAC, • 4-star showerheads, • Ceiling insulation (if missing) From 1 July 2027, draughtproofing will be mandatory. By 1 July 2030, all rental properties must have efficient electric cooling in living areas.

These reforms are designed to slash energy bills, reduce emissions, and improve living conditions—while being rolled out progressively and including exemptions where changes are highly impractical.

Why Victoria’s 7-Star Homes Matter

Homeowners

Convert to all-electric with solar and save up to ~$1,820/year; new all-electric homes alone can save ~$880/year.

Renters

Stricter energy standards mean healthier, more comfortable, and cheaper-to-run homes—especially in older rental stock.

Builders & Investors

Get ahead by designing energy-efficient, future-compliant homes that command higher value and deliver long-term resilience.

The HP Energy Advantage

We don’t just install tech—we design, guide, and optimise:

FAQs

Q: What’s changing for new homes under the updated energy-efficiency standards?

The NCC 2022 now requires a minimum 7-Star energy rating for all new homes. Homes must meet a Whole-of-Home energy budget covering heating, cooling, lighting, and hot water. In addition, homes need to be ready for EV chargers, solar panels, and batteries for future upgrades.

Q: Why is a 7-star home standard necessary?

Homes with a 7-Star rating use 20–25% less energy for heating and cooling than 6-Star homes. Therefore, occupants enjoy lower energy bills, greater comfort, and improved resilience during extreme weather.

Q: When do these updated standards come into effect?

Victoria and Queensland adopted the rules from 1 May 2024, South Australia from 1 October 2024, and Western Australia from 1 May 2025.

Final Word:

Are You Ready for Victoria’s 7-Star Homes?

Homes in Victoria are becoming smarter, greener, and cheaper to run. Whether you’re building, renovating, or investing, it’s time to take action. Let HP Energy help you create a future-proof home—efficient, comfortable, and clean.

Learn more at the Victorian Government’s site:

Official VIC Gov Energy Standards & Regulations