NatHERS vs Residential Efficiency Scorecard: Which Should Victorian Homeowners Use? (2026)
Victoria's Residential Efficiency Scorecard closes on 23 June 2026 and transitions into NatHERS Existing Homes. Here's what each scheme covers, how they compare, and what you should book today.
Taylor M
NatHERS & Home Energy Specialist
The short answer
Until recently, Victorian homeowners had two parallel options for rating an existing home: NatHERS (national) and the Residential Efficiency Scorecard (Victoria-only). They produced similar information in different formats — and the duplication created genuine confusion.
That's now resolving. The Victorian Government has confirmed the Scorecard program closes on 23 June 2026, with NatHERS Existing Homes becoming the single national scheme for rating existing dwellings. If you're commissioning a new assessment in 2026, choose NatHERS.
What is NatHERS?
NatHERS is the national thermal-performance scheme used Australia-wide. The newer NatHERS Existing Homes (NEH) pathway, launched in 2024 and expanding through 2026, lets accredited assessors rate existing dwellings on the same 0–10 star scale used for new builds.
NEH uses the same NatHERS-accredited software as new builds (FirstRate5, BERS Pro, AccuRate) and produces a registered, nationally-recognised certificate accepted by all states, councils, lenders and rebate schemes.
What is Scorecard?
The Residential Efficiency Scorecard was launched by the Victorian Government in 2017 to give existing homeowners a quick, on-site assessment of their home's energy performance. It uses a 1–10 star scale and an additional 1–10 'hot weather' rating focused on cooling performance.
Scorecard assessments are conducted by RES-accredited assessors, take about 90 minutes on-site, and produce a one-page report with prioritised improvement recommendations. The scheme has been popular in Victoria but is closing on 23 June 2026.
NatHERS vs. Scorecard: side by side
| Attribute | NatHERS | Scorecard |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | National (all states + territories) | Victoria only |
| Status | Active and expanding | Closing 23 June 2026 |
| Star scale | 0–10 stars (thermal performance) | 1–10 stars + 1–10 hot weather rating |
| Software | FirstRate5, BERS Pro, AccuRate | Scorecard online tool |
| Time on-site | 1.5–3 hours | ~90 minutes |
| Typical cost (existing home) | $300–$550 | $250–$450 |
| Accepted nationally | Yes | Limited (VIC-recognised) |
| Used for compliance | New build, renovations, sales | Voluntary advice only |
| Existing certificates valid? | Yes — for at least 10 years | Yes — until expiry, but no new ones after 23 June 2026 |
When you need NatHERS
- • You're commissioning a new assessment in 2026 or later
- • You want a certificate accepted nationally (sales, lenders, interstate moves)
- • You're in any state outside Victoria
- • You need the rating for a renovation, extension or property sale
- • You want the same scale used by the NCC and rebate schemes
When you need Scorecard
- • You already hold a valid Scorecard certificate — keep using it until expiry
- • You're a Victorian homeowner who booked a Scorecard before 23 June 2026 cutoff
- • You're applying for a Victorian rebate that still recognises Scorecard input
- • Honestly: for any new assessment, choose NatHERS instead
Which one do you actually need?
If you're booking a new assessment in 2026, choose NatHERS Existing Homes. It's the national scheme, will continue past June 2026, and produces a certificate every council, lender and state rebate program recognises.
If you already hold a valid Scorecard certificate, you don't need to re-do it — your existing certificate remains valid until its expiry date. But you cannot get a new Scorecard assessment after 23 June 2026.
Many former Scorecard assessors have already transitioned to NatHERS accreditation, so finding a qualified assessor in Victoria is easier than it has been in years. Demand will spike in May–June 2026 as Scorecard winds down — book early.
Ready to get rated?
Estimate your NatHERS star rating in 2 minutes for free, or find a certified assessor near you.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Scorecard scheme closing?
The Victorian Government confirmed in 2024 that the Residential Efficiency Scorecard would transition into NatHERS to create a single national framework for existing-home ratings. Maintaining two parallel schemes was costly and confused homeowners. The closing date is 23 June 2026.
Will my existing Scorecard certificate still be valid after June 2026?
Yes. Scorecard certificates issued before 23 June 2026 remain valid until their stated expiry date (typically 10 years). You don't need to re-rate your home immediately. After expiry, any new assessment will be a NatHERS Existing Homes rating.
Can I convert my Scorecard rating into a NatHERS rating?
Not directly — they're calculated differently. If you need a NatHERS certificate (for example to sell into another state or apply for a national rebate), you'll need a fresh on-site NatHERS assessment by an accredited assessor.
Is NatHERS more expensive than Scorecard?
Slightly. A NatHERS Existing Homes assessment in Victoria typically costs $300–$550, compared to $250–$450 for a Scorecard. The price difference reflects the more detailed thermal modelling NatHERS produces and the nationally-recognised certificate at the end.
Do I need to find a different assessor for NatHERS?
Possibly — though many Victorian Scorecard assessors have transitioned to NatHERS accreditation. When booking, ask whether the assessor is RES-accredited (Scorecard), NEH-accredited (NatHERS Existing Homes), or both. Our directory lists assessors with both accreditations.
What about the Scorecard's 'hot weather' rating? Does NatHERS have one?
NatHERS doesn't issue a separate hot-weather star rating, but its thermal modelling explicitly accounts for cooling load — and the certificate breaks out summer vs. winter energy demand. You get the same information, just presented differently.
Compare assessors near you
Find a certified NatHERS assessor or use our free calculator to estimate your home's rating first.
Estimate Your Rating
Use our free calculator to get an instant estimate of your home's energy star rating.
Try CalculatorFind an Assessor
Browse certified NatHERS assessors in your area and connect directly.
View DirectoryFind Local Services
Explore energy rating services specific to your city or state across Australia.
Explore LocationsReady to get started? Request free quotes from certified assessors.
Request Free QuotesReady to find out your home's energy rating? Find a certified NatHERS assessor near you
Official Government Resources
Related Articles
Estimate Your Home Energy Rating
Use our free calculator to get an instant estimate of your home's star rating
How to Make an Old Home Energy Efficient: The Right Order of Upgrades
The correct retrofit sequence for an older Australian home — seal, insulate, glaze, electrify, generate — with realistic 2026 costs.
Read full article7 Free Ways to Make Your Home Warmer This Winter
Seven cheap DIY hacks to keep your house warm without touching the thermostat — draught sealing, curtain strategy, ceiling fans, and more
Read full articleWhy Is My House So Cold in Winter?
If your house is freezing in winter, the problem is usually insulation, draughts, glazing or thermal bridges — here's how a NatHERS assessment finds the real culprits
Read full articleGas vs Electric Homes: Why the Switch Is Coming
Victoria and the ACT have banned gas in new builds — what the gas-to-electric transition means for existing homes and your NatHERS rating
Read full article