12 points by your renewal: a NatHERS assessor’s CPD plan
In short
- Every accredited NatHERS assessor must complete at least 12 CPD points in each year of accreditation, under the NatHERS Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations.
- At least 6 of the 12 points must be technical training, such as the Technical Note, accredited software, the NCC energy provisions or appliances and on-site generation.
- One point equals at least one hour, and up to 3 points can roll over in any one year.
- Your CPD year follows your own year of accreditation, which your AAO sets. Miss the 12 points and your AAO can suspend your accreditation until you catch up.
- ABSA, Design Matters National and HERA each apply the protocol their own way, so check how your AAO labels and records points.
Correct as at September 2026.
Twelve points does not sound like much. Then the renewal email lands, you open your CPD record, and there are four points on it.
If that has happened to you, you are in good company. Here is what the rules actually say, and a simple plan to get to 12 without the last-minute scramble.
What the protocol requires
The rules come from the NatHERS Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations, clause 4.5. It binds the Assessor Accrediting Organisations (AAOs), and they pass it on to you.
- At least 12 CPD points in each year of accreditation, with one point equal to at least one hour.
- At least 6 points in technical training.
- Up to 3 points can roll over in any one year.
- An AAO may suspend your accreditation until you have achieved the 12 points.
Two further rules matter if things go wrong. If you let accreditation lapse with CPD outstanding, you must complete the missing CPD before you can be reaccredited, with your old AAO or a new one. AAOs share that information. And if you have been out of the industry for more than 12 months, you must pass a benchmarking exercise and do any training required.
What counts as technical training
Clause 4.5(5) lists six areas:
- The NatHERS Technical Note and Assessor Handbook.
- NatHERS accredited software, including formal training from AAO approved mentors.
- Other residential energy efficiency software or assessment methods, such as blower door testing.
- Improving building envelope thermal performance.
- The NCC energy efficiency provisions and other regulatory instruments relevant to NatHERS.
- The efficiency of fixed appliances and the impact of on-site energy generation and storage.
The protocol does not label the other 6 points. Your AAO may. Whether a particular course counts as technical is your AAO’s call, so check before you rely on it.
How each AAO applies it
| AAO | What it publishes |
|---|---|
| ABSA (Australian Building Sustainability Accreditation) | 6 formal points (technical knowledge) and 6 informal points (general knowledge). The CPD period aligns with your ABSA accreditation cycle. |
| Design Matters National | At least 6 points from training deemed NatHERS Technical. Accreditation is renewed annually from your acceptance date (1 July by default for assessors accredited before March 2020). DMN may require a specific CPD unit before renewal. |
| HERA (House Energy Raters Association) | At least 12 points in each year of accreditation, renewed annually. The 6 technical points come from the protocol. |
A simple 12-point plan
The easiest way to hit 12 is to stop treating it as one big task. Split your accreditation year into quarters and aim for three points each.
| Quarter from renewal | Target | Suggested focus |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1 to 3 | 3 points (at least 2 technical) | Software or Technical Note updates, and anything your AAO has flagged as required. |
| Months 4 to 6 | 3 points (at least 2 technical) | NCC energy efficiency provisions, especially if your state is moving editions. |
| Months 7 to 9 | 3 points (at least 2 technical) | Envelope performance, appliances, or whole-of-home. |
| Months 10 to 12 | 3 points | Business, audit readiness or client skills, and log everything. |
That gives you six technical points by month nine, with room to spare. If you finish the year over 12, up to 3 points can carry into the next.
Two habits make this painless. Upload each certificate to your AAO’s recording system the day you finish, because the protocol requires AAOs to give you a way to record attendance for validation. And keep your own copy, so an audit request or a change of AAO does not leave you rebuilding the year from memory.
Where CPD On Demand fits
CPD On Demand courses are recognised CPD designed for assessors, and each certificate is issued the moment you finish and stored in your account. Whether a course counts toward your technical points is up to your AAO. These live courses are a good starting point:
- What to Expect From a NatHERS Audit
- Designing Thermal Zones for Better NatHERS Performance
- Home Energy Rating Disclosure: What Assessors Need to Prepare For
Know your date, then plan backwards. Our CPD requirements guide sets out the rules for every profession, and the CPD deadlines calendar shows the dates coming up. Browse all energy assessor courses.
Frequently asked questions
How many CPD points does a NatHERS assessor need?
At least 12 CPD points in each year of accreditation, under clause 4.5 of the NatHERS Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations. One point equals at least one hour.
How many NatHERS CPD points must be technical?
At least 6 of the 12 points must be technical training. That includes the Technical Note and Assessor Handbook, accredited software, blower door testing, envelope performance, the NCC energy provisions, and appliances and on-site generation.
When is my NatHERS CPD due?
Assessor CPD is counted in each year of accreditation, so it follows your own accreditation year rather than a common deadline for everyone. Check your renewal date with your AAO.
Can I carry NatHERS CPD points over to next year?
Yes. The protocol allows up to 3 CPD points to be rolled over in any one year.
What happens if I do not complete 12 CPD points?
Your AAO may suspend your accreditation until you have achieved the 12 points. If your accreditation lapses with CPD outstanding, you must complete the missing CPD before you can be reaccredited with any AAO.
Do CPD On Demand courses count as technical points?
Your AAO decides what counts as technical training. CPD On Demand courses are recognised CPD for assessors, but check with ABSA, Design Matters National or HERA before relying on a course for your technical points.
Sources
- Home Energy Rating (NatHERS), Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations, Version 2.2 (clause 4.5)
- Home Energy Rating (NatHERS), Become an assessor (list of AAOs)
- BDAA, CPD Opportunities (ABSA assessor CPD)
- Design Matters National, CPD and EEA Code of Conduct v2.5
- HERA, HERA accreditation