size.They are prone to problems of grid connections (water, energy, waste disposal), and if built on land not owned by the homeowner, owners can find themselves summarily “homeless” if the land they occupy is sold. Houses with a NatHERS rating of ten stars have been built in Australia. One is at Cape Paterson, near Wonthaggi on the Bass Strait coast of Victoria. (climate zone 5) Josh Byrne's house is an experimental and demonstration house in Perth Western Australia. (climate zone 5) Another is in Caloundra, in South East Queensland (climate zone 2) The Ten Star House in Woodforde, Adelaide (climate zone 5) was exhibited at Sustainable House Day, 2021 and can be seen in a video tour and series of professional photographs online. Passive houses, which use solar energy for space heating and cooling, were invented in Germany as Passivhaus are gaining in popularity. Standards for sustainability Australia Australia's climate zones. The National Construction Code has eight climate zones (as published by the Australian Building Codes Board) The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) It generates a star rating of a home's energy efficiency, out of maximum of ten. After a long campaign, new houses are required to reach a star rating of seven under the National Construction Code. BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) is a mandatory planning tool for new homes and renovations in New South Wales worth more than $50000. Housing Industry Association GreenSmart program This program provides a training program for HIA members in sustainable building design and techniques. Awards are given annually for the designers and builders of the most environmentally sustainable homes. The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards is a labelling scheme to allow consumers to choose the most efficient water using devices, and conserve water in home use. The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) is a consumer labelling scheme for window energy efficiency and its impact on the whole house. It is managed by the Australian Glass and Window Association. Energy Rating A consumer labelling scheme for energy efficient appliances. Good Environmental Choice Australia certifies consumer products in general for environmental sustainability. BERS (Building Energy Rating Scheme) Pro is based on the same underlying CSIRO engine as NatHERS. It rates the energy efficiency of Australian homes in all climate zones, from the tropics to the mountains. This tool is far better for rating a home, unit or townhouse energy performance than the alternative prescriptive method.