Mandatory disclosure — Commercial building energy efficiency

Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) program

The Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) program is a national regulatory program established by the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010 (Cth) (the Act).

Subject to some exceptions, in most cases where commercial office space with a net lettable area of 1000 sq m or more is offered for sale, lease or sublease:

• a building energy efficiency certificate (BEEC) must be obtained prior to the space being offered or offers being invited;
• the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) energy for offices efficiency star rating must be included in any advertising for the space; and
• the BEEC must be provided on request to most prospective buyers or tenants.

See more detailed information on the application of the CBD program and disclosure requirements below.

The program aims to provide prospective purchasers and tenants of large commercial office space with access to credible and meaningful energy efficiency information and contribute to the achievement of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The Act is managed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Under the Act, the minister is entitled to make determinations regarding core issues.

Since 1 July 2017, the Act has applied to commercial office space offered for sale, lease or sublease with a net lettable area of 1000 sq m or more (strata title offices excluded). Formerly, the threshold for the Act was 2000 sq m.