A NABERS Water rating helps you understand, measure and improve your building’s water efficiency using real usage data, the same way a NABERS Energy rating helps you reduce your energy bills.
Why water efficiency is important
Prioritising water efficiency in your building can help you:
- cut operating expenses with cheaper water bills
- reduce the energy needed for heating, pumping and treating water
- decrease pressure on local water supplies, reducing vulnerability to drought and supply interruptions.
- reduce the environmental footprint of your building.
Water efficient buildings are also more attractive to potential buyers and tenants.
Learn more about how you can improve water efficiency in your building with our Water Efficiency Fact Sheet.
About the NABERS Water rating
NABERS provides an easy-to-understand rating (0–6 stars) of how efficiently your building uses water.
A NABERS Water rating covers the water consumption from externally supplied water sources, and all water uses within the building. A NABERS Water rating:
- measures potable and externally supplied recycled water use
- is based on real operational data
- is benchmarked against similar buildings
- is third-party verified and nationally recognised.
Benefits of a NABERS Water rating
- Benchmark performance. Compare your building’s water use against similar properties nationwide.
- Enhance reputation. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability to tenants, investors and the public.
- Access expert insights. Your NABERS Assessor may offer a detailed report to guide improvement strategies.
- Stay informed. Understand your building’s current water efficiency and potential for savings.
- Helps track your progress. Use a rating to monitor your water efficiency journey and the effects of building improvements.
On-site treated rainwater
Where water is collected or recycled at a premises (e.g. by rainwater harvesting or by the treatment of wastewater), it can be considered a water efficiency measure. An improved NABERS Water rating can be expected when such capturing and recycling of water is either:
- connected on the user side of the meter which records the relevant external water supply; or
- used within the premises independently of utility-supplied systems.
Externally supplied recycled water
A NABERS Water rating shows how efficiently your building uses water by measuring all water it consumes, including both potable and externally supplied recycled water. This gives you a clear picture of your building’s total water footprint, helping you plan for sustainability and resilience.
Your certificate also shows a version of the rating that excludes recycled water use, which often results in a higher star rating and highlights the benefits of reducing reliance on potable water.
Eligible building types
You can get a NABERS Water rating for:
- Offices
- Shopping Centres
- Hotels
- Hospitals (Public)
- Apartment Buildings
- Residential Aged Care
- Retirement Living
- Schools
Select a building type above to learn more about NABERS ratings for your building.
Can't find your building type? Get in touch to explore your options.
How to get started
- Get ready: Source quotes from a few NABERS Accredited Assessors to understand the scope of work (site hours and consulting hours).
- Gather your data: Collect 12 months of historical water consumption data and details about the size and features of your building. Your Assessor will be able to guide you.
- Achieve NABERS Certification: Organise access for your Assessor to conduct a site visit to validate your rating.
- Improve your rating: Your NABERS rating lasts for 12 months. Take action to reduce your water consumption during the next 12 months and enjoy the savings. Collect data to feed back into your next rating to track your performance.
Learn more and build skills
- Water Efficiency Fact Sheet - contains practical advice on how you can improve water efficiency in your building and how you will benefit.
- Training: Influencing Sustainability Outcomes in the Built Environment
