Green Star accreditations
Join our growing community of Green Star Professionals
Green Star provides a holistic framework for non-residential building design and construction. Training is available for those wanting to find out the fundamentals covered by the Green Star rating tool, as well as those wanting to be actively involved in Green Star submissions and project certification.
Undergoing training and successful becoming Green Star accredited, you will be joining a growing community of professionals leading sustainable buildings throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Benefits of accreditation include:
- An Associate or Accredited Professional logo
- An online certificate to evidence your accreditation and support project applications or tenders
- Professional profile listed on the New Zealand Green Building Council online professionals directory
- Access to technical resources including submission guidelines.
- Green Star Accredited Professionals are able to make Green Star certification submissions.
Green Star Fundamentals
This is a self-paced, online course.
Green Star Fundamentals training is for professionals who don’t intend to make Green Star submissions, but need to be up-to-date with green building practice, and/or be able to work successfully within a Green Star project.
This training provides a good understanding of the suite of Green Star tools, certification categories and credits, the assessment process, as well as the business case for green building.
The Fundamentals course allow's professionals to demonstrate they have knowledge of Green Star and healthy, low carbon, socially responsible green building practices.
This course takes approximately 6 hours to complete.
$675 Member price
$1,015 Non Member price
$560 Future Thinkers
There is no exam but the course is a pre-requisite for attending the Green Star Advanced course (to become a GSAP or Green Star Associate).
Green Star Advanced
This is an in-person or online course.
This course is targeted at those who wish to make Green Star project submissions to the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC). Generally, potential Green Star Accredited Professionals (GSAPs) will hold professional qualifications in related industries such as engineering, building science, quantity surveying, architecture, project management, or similar professional expertise. However, other relevant experience and skills may also be acceptable. If you are uncertain whether your background is appropriate, please contact us.
Green Star Fundamentals is the first entry-level course, after which people can take a Green Star Advanced course. By completing an Advanced course, you automatically become a Green Star Associate, which you can upgrade to a Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) accreditation by taking and passing an exam. The accreditation showcases in-depth knowledge of Green Star and is perfect for industry professionals who intend to act as the core member of a Green Star project team and collate and manage Green Star project submissions.
Please note: The Green Star Advanced course is the pathway for becoming a GSAP in Green Star Buildings, Green Star Performance, or Green Star Communities. However, in New Zealand, we currently offer only Green Star Advanced - Buildings and Green Star Advanced - Performance.
If you are interested in becoming a GSAP in Green Star Communities, you will need to complete the relevant course through the Green Building Council Australia. (GBCA). Once completed, please send education@nzgbc.org.nz your certificate, and we will transfer the accreditation to NZGBC.
This pathway is aimed at professionals working on commercial new buildings or major refurbishments during the design and construction phase, targeting a Green Star rating. Completing this course and passing the exam leads to GSAP - Buildings accreditation, preparing participants to manage and lead Green Star submissions for commercial developments.
This pathway focuses on the sustainability of existing buildings and their ongoing operations. It is ideal for property professionals, facilities managers, asset managers, and sustainability consultants.
This pathway is designed for professionals involved in precinct- or community-scale developments. To become a GSAP – Communities, you must complete the relevant course through the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Once completed, send your certificate to NZGBC to transfer your accreditation.
Course prices vary depending on the specific Green Star Advanced pathway and delivery format. For the most up-to-date pricing information, please check out our upcoming training page or contact us directly. We regularly update course offerings and fees to reflect current market conditions and demand.
Yes, all Green Star Advanced pathways follow the same general accreditation process:
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Green Star Associate accreditation is awarded to participants who complete the course but do not take the exam.
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To achieve Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) accreditation, participants must complete the course and sit for, and pass, an online exam.
For our Green Star Advanced courses, the online exam requires additional time beyond attending the course and must be completed within four weeks after the course date. Successfully passing this exam upgrades your status from Green Star Associate to GSAP, demonstrating a deeper level of expertise in your chosen pathway.
By attending the Green Star Advanced course and completing the exam, you are agreeing to the Green Star Accreditation Terms.
Green Star Accredited Energy Modeller
Accredited Energy Modellers are experts in energy modelling and have been recognised by the NZGBC as leading professionals.
Accreditation is through application only, with professionals selected based on the quality of their energy modelling reports, and the modeller’s ability to explain their assumptions, rather than the number of models submitted.
Accredited Energy modellers can issue Producer Statements for Green Star submissions, in lieu of a full energy report.
Upon receipt of the initial application email the NZGBC will generate an invoice for the application fee and email this back to the applicant. Upon receipt of the application fee ($510 excl. GST) the NZGBC will start the review process.
The NZGBC and the Modelling Assessor Panel will review the documentation submitted and determine whether or not the applicant demonstrates the qualities required to be an AEM.
If it is agreed by NZGBC and the Modelling Assessor Panel that the applicant is eligible to become an AEM, then the NZGBC will advise the applicant of the success of their application (via email) and issue their biennial certification fee invoice ($750 excl. GST) minus the application fee of $510 excl. GST.
To ensure the integrity of the Green Star system is maintained the NZGBC requires Accredited Energy Modellers (AEM) to undergo biennial re-certification and credential maintenance.
Each AEM is required to apply every two years for their practising certificate. The fee is $750 excl. GST
Eligibility requirements to retain their accreditation will be reviewed every four years. It is expected that they should have completed at least two Green Star models within this period.
In order to be eligible, applicants must have;
- At least 2 years of energy modelling experience, in the modelling programs accepted by Green Star(Only modelling programs that have been independently tested by BESTEST and/or ANSI/ASHRASE standard 140-2004 will be accepted by Green Star)
- Completed at least 5 energy models in accordance with protocols under
- Building code H1
- Green Star NZ
- Green NZ
- Part L (UK building regulations)
- BCA compliance (Australia)
- LEED
- Completed a minimum of 3 Green Star NZ ENE-1 energy reports on buildings certified by the NZGBC.
Maintaining your accreditation
Green Star accreditations are valid for one year before renewal is required. You will receive an email invoice one month prior to your accreditation expiry, along with a summary of your current CPD points.
If you have questions about how to maintain your Green Star accreditation, including renewal requirements and ongoing professional development, please visit our dedicated page here: Maintain your accreditation.
This page has the most current information to help you stay up to date with your accreditation status.
Transfer your international Green Star accreditation
We recognise Australian and South African Green Star Accredited Professionals accreditations, and allow active GSAPs from both countries to obtain NZ Green Star Accredited Professional status without attending the training courses.
However, there are a few criteria that need to be met before we can accredit you in New Zealand.
You will need to:
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Provide education@nzgbc.org.nz with a copy of your current GSAP accreditation
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Provide evidence of 2 projects you have worked on in the past 2 years
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Pay an accreditation fee which validates your accreditation for one year. The fee for this is $50 for members and $225 for non-members, excl GST.
Please email us your supporting documentation for confirmation of your eligibility.
