Beyond 7 Stars: Passive Design Tactics That Actually Work in NatHERS

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A$99.00

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Course Content

I. Introduction (5 mins)
II. Learning Objectives (5 mins)
III. Module 1: High-Impact Passive Design Principles (10 mins)
IV. Module 2: Effective Passive Design Strategies (15 mins)
V. Module 3: Modelling and Simulation in NatHERS Tools (12 mins)
VI. Module 4: Real-World Case Studies — Beyond 8 Stars (12 mins)
VII. Case Study (3 mins)
VIII. Summary and Key Takeaways (2 mins)

★★★★★

This CPD course explores the passive design strategies that have the greatest impact on NatHERS star ratings and residential energy performance in Australia. It explains how orientation, zoning, glazing, shading, thermal mass, and airtightness influence heating and cooling loads under NCC 2022 and NCC 2025 requirements. Participants learn how accredited NatHERS tools model passive design decisions and how to identify common compliance risks through accurate simulation and documentation practices. The course also examines real world case studies of homes achieving more than 8 stars across different Australian climate zones using practical and cost effective design solutions. Designed for energy assessors, architects, and building designers, the course provides applied guidance for improving compliance outcomes, thermal comfort, and long term building performance.

This CPD provides general guidance on professional responsibilities and documentation practices. It does not constitute legal advice or replace project-specific contractual or statutory obligations.

  • CPD Points: 1 Formal CPD Point
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Certificate Upon Completion
  • Difficulty Level: Intermediate
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This session is designed for

Energy Assessors
Architects
Building Designers
Residential Builders
Building Surveyors

By the end of this course, you will be able to explain the passive design principles that most strongly influence NatHERS star ratings and residential energy performance. You will understand how to apply orientation, zoning, glazing, shading, and thermal mass strategies for different Australian climate conditions. You will also be able to interpret NatHERS modelling outputs, identify common compliance risks, and improve the accuracy of simulation inputs and documentation. The course will help you evaluate heating and cooling load caps under NCC 2022 and NCC 2025 requirements while understanding the role of Whole of Home assessments. You will gain practical insights from real world case studies to support better design decisions, stronger compliance outcomes, and higher performing residential projects.

  • Explain the passive design principles that most strongly influence NatHERS star ratings and residential energy efficiency outcomes.
  • Identify common modelling and documentation errors that can affect compliance accuracy and building performance.
  • Analyse how orientation, zoning, glazing, shading, and thermal mass strategies perform across different Australian climate zones.
  • Apply passive design strategies to improve thermal comfort, reduce energy demand, and support NCC compliance outcomes.
  • Interpret NatHERS modelling outputs, including star ratings, heating and cooling loads, and load cap compliance requirements.
  • Evaluate real world case studies to understand cost effective approaches for achieving high performing residential designs.

This ensures that CPD efforts align with professional regulatory requirements.

Framework/Body

Relevant Sections

Focus Areas

National Construction Code (NCC 2022 & NCC 2025)

Volume Two Energy Efficiency Provisions; NCC 2022 Section 13; NCC 2025 Housing Provisions Part H6; Whole-of-Home pathway; climate-specific heating and cooling load caps

Passive solar design, thermal performance, glazing and shading compliance, NatHERS verification pathway, conditioned vs unconditioned zoning, airtightness, energy efficiency strategy integration

NatHERS Protocols

NatHERS accredited software modelling requirements; thermal load calculations; star rating methodology; MJ/m² load assessment; modelling verification and certificate accuracy

Orientation modelling, glazing inputs, shading geometry, thermal mass simulation, zoning classifications, modelling accuracy, compliance risk identification

ABSA CPD Competency Area

Thermal performance assessment; NatHERS software application; residential energy efficiency assessment; compliance verification

Passive design optimisation, NatHERS assessment methodology, certificate accuracy, compliance documentation, interpreting modelling outputs

Building Designers

Concept design and passive design integration; climate-responsive residential design; NCC energy efficiency compliance

Orientation strategy, zoning layouts, glazing selection, shading geometry, thermal comfort outcomes, residential compliance pathways

NSCA 2021 (Architects)

PC18, PC24, PC28, PC31, PC33

PC18 applies because the course focuses on refining and evaluating passive design strategies such as orientation, glazing, shading, and thermal mass to improve residential building performance outcomes. PC24 is relevant due to the analysis of design options and trade-offs in response to climate, compliance, and performance objectives within NatHERS and NCC frameworks. PC28 strongly aligns with the course’s emphasis on building sciences, thermal performance, environmental design principles, and the interaction between passive systems and occupant comfort. PC31 is directly addressed through the course’s focus on energy efficiency, reduced heating and cooling loads, Whole-of-Home performance, and environmentally sustainable residential design. PC33 is relevant because the course examines the integration and modelling of sustainable environmental systems, including thermal performance, glazing behaviour, shading systems, and passive energy management strategies within NatHERS software environments.

Engineers Australia (Stage 2)

Sustainable building systems; building physics; environmental performance analysis; risk and systems integration

Thermal performance analysis, building envelope optimisation, passive environmental systems, energy modelling interpretation

Licensed Builders (State CPD)

NCC residential energy efficiency obligations; construction detailing affecting thermal performance; airtightness and insulation continuity

Buildability of passive design measures, thermal bridging awareness, insulation installation quality, shading implementation, compliance outcomes

Building Surveyors

NatHERS certificate verification; NCC compliance assessment; load cap compliance review; documentation verification

Compliance auditing, energy efficiency assessment review, certificate accuracy, performance pathway validation

Urban Planners & Landscape Architects

Climate-responsive site planning; solar access and orientation considerations; environmental sustainability integration

Site orientation, solar access protection, passive environmental planning, shading from landscape elements

What’s Included

This course explores practical passive design methods that help residential projects achieve stronger NatHERS results across different Australian climate zones. Participants will learn how design choices such as building orientation, glazing placement, shading systems, and thermal mass influence indoor comfort and energy efficiency. The course also explains how NatHERS software evaluates thermal performance and highlights common issues that can affect compliance outcomes. Real project examples are used to demonstrate how thoughtful design adjustments can improve star ratings while remaining cost effective. It is intended for professionals involved in residential energy assessments, architectural design, and NCC compliance documentation.

  • A 1-hour video session covering NCC-aligned strategies and real-world case studies.
  • An interactive quiz to test and reinforce knowledge.
  • An audio summary version via NotebookLM for flexible, on-the-go learning.
  • A downloadable certificate of completion for CPD compliance reporting.
  • Centralised CPD tracking dashboard to support audits and personal recordkeeping.
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Why Take This CPD Session?

Stay up to date with the latest NCC 2022 and NCC 2025 energy efficiency requirements affecting residential projects across Australia.

Learn practical passive design strategies that improve NatHERS performance, reduce compliance risks, and enhance thermal comfort outcomes.

Gain real world insights into modelling, documentation, and design decision making that support more efficient and cost effective residential buildings.

Professional development is an investment in career growth and regulatory compliance. Take the next step today.

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