Hotels check in to NABERS

Hotel operators around Australia are finding value in NABERS not just as a performance benchmark, but as a strategic tool to cut costs and win bookings. 
 

Booked and rated: NABERS and hotels 

• 90 hotels with NABERS Energy ratings and 85 with NABERS Water in FY24
• 70% increase in guest rooms certified since 2023
• Average NABERS Energy rating: 4.3 stars
• NABERS ratings now displayed on Google Travel, with more booking platforms to follow
• Australian Government employees required to consider NABERS Energy ratings when booking accommodation
• Around 88,530 hotels and serviced apartments prioritised for mandatory energy disclosure. 

The first hotel checked into NABERS in 2009. Now, rising costs, tightening policies and greener guest expectations mean sustainability credentials are the new five-star standard.

“NABERS is fast becoming a commercial differentiator for hotel operators – with the number of hotels being rated up 50% in the last year,” says Andrew Buchel, Sector Lead at NABERS.  

“NABERS ratings are live on Google, with other booking sites to follow. Government policy is shifting. Procurement guidelines are tightening. Market leaders are picking up the pace. Every signal is pointing in the same direction.”

NABERS rates hotel energy and water efficiency on a six-star scale — three stars is average, six is market leading. Australian Government employees are now required to consider that star rating when booking hotels, as part of the federal government’s Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy. Minimum standards for NABERS rated hotels are likely to be set by 2026-27.

NABERS has recently signed partnership agreements with EarthCheck, Ecotourism Australia and Green Key to explore opportunities for streamlined pathways that simplify the process for hotel operators to demonstrate sustainability leadership. This collaboration aims to accelerate sustainability outcomes in the tourism sector.

Mandatory NABERS ratings for hotel are also looming, through the likely expansion of the national Commercial Building Disclosure program. KPMG’s feasibility study identified Australia’s more than 88,000 hotels, motels and serviced apartments as a “top priority”.

First in, switched on: Schwartz Family Company

The Schwartz Family Company, Australia’s largest privately owned hotel group, was the first to achieve a NABERS rating for a hotel back in 2009.

With 14 hotels across 4,000-plus rooms, Schwartz Group has made deep investments in solar, smart systems and energy upgrades — all guided by NABERS data.

“We like to be first – not just to lead the pack, but to show what’s possible,” says Paul Briggs, Schwartz Group’s Sustainability & Projects Coordinator. “NABERS gives us the granular insight to keep improving every year.”

In 2025, hotels were included in the NABERS Sustainable Portfolio Index for the first time. Schwartz Group and CapitaLand, with nearly 6,000 rooms between them, were the first hotel operators to participate. 

Since setting benchmarks through NABERS, Schwartz Group has installed energy-efficient chillers and room controls, cutting power consumption by up to 40% in some properties. Two 5 MW solar farms now power all 14 hotels, offsetting around 35% of total portfolio energy use, with surplus energy fed back to the grid. Learn more about the NABERS Renewable Energy Indicator.

Paul says the federal government’s new accommodation policy is already shifting the market. “If you don’t have a NABERS rating, you’ll miss out on government bookings. As simple as that. Our hotels are NABERS rated, so we are already one step ahead.” 

Benchmarked, better, booked: Accor Pacific 40

With more than 5,500 hotels worldwide – including nearly 400 in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji – Accor is the largest hotel operator in the region.

“We’ve made a clear commitment to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46% by the end of 2030,” says David Young, Director of Sustainability for Accor Pacific. “And NABERS is a key part of that strategy.”

Accor already has 40-plus properties rated with NABERS, with more on the way. Each rating begins with a detailed audit which uncovers ways to reduce energy use. “The more efficient our hotels become, the less we need to rely on green energy purchasing,” David says.  

Accor’s portfolio spans managed and franchised hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, airline lounges and commercial buildings. Selling the sustainability message across a diverse ownership base can be challenging — but David says the commercial benefits speak for themselves.

The Accor Pacific business has set itself the ambitious target of having all its premium and mid-scale hotels enrolled in NABERS programs in 2025, representing 50% of the network. 

Accor sees NABERS as more than a compliance tool — it’s a way to prepare owners for what’s ahead. With federal procurement policies evolving and sustainability reporting requirements expanding, David believes mandatory NABERS hotel ratings are coming  

“It’s inevitable. NABERS is becoming as essential for hotels as it is for office buildings. We’re positioning our owners now so they’re ready when it happens.” 

What hotel operators can do next

For hotel operators looking to improve performance and meet growing sustainability expectations, getting started with NABERS is a simple and structured process.

1. Plan your approach

   Work with a NABERS-accredited assessor to confirm the scope of your ratings and collaborate with your sustainability or asset team.

2. Collect your data

   You’ll need 12 months of utility data and details about your hotel’s size, amenities and operations. Your assessor will guide you through what’s needed.

3. Get certified

   Your assessor will visit the site, validate your data and submit your NABERS rating. This will give you a clear performance benchmark.

4. Lift your rating

   Use your results to target upgrades or efficiency measures. Track progress, reduce costs and re-rate to show your impact over time.

NABERS gives hotel operators a practical edge – helping them stay ahead of regulation, save money, cut emissions and optimise assets. “Market leaders are already using NABERS to unlock value. We’re here to help others do the same,” concludes Andrew Buchel.

Whether you’re managing a boutique hotel or a global portfolio, NABERS can help you measure what matters – and act with confidence. Talk to the NABERS team to understand your options and start your journey today.