Homestar qualifications
Get qualified to deliver Homestar projects and support the industry to deliver better, more sustainable homes
Every year thousands of professionals help design and build homes with a focus on better performance and environmental outcomes. We offer several options for those seeking to learn more and get qualified to deliver Homestar certification.
Whether you're interest in finding out about sustainable home design and construction generally, or you want to be actively involved in submitting a Homestar project for assessment, there are a range of qualifications to help build your knowledge.
Our courses provide you with an opportunity to learn about the latest Homestar requirements and sustainable home methodology, and gain formal qualifications to deliver New Zealand's leading sustainable home certification. Benefits include;
- Use of the Homestar Professional logo in promotional material (Designer & Assessor)
- A digital certificate
- Access to the latest Homestar tools and ongoing technical updates (Designer & Assessor)
Homestar has three courses available: Fundamentals, Designer and Assessor.
Homestar Fundamentals
This is an online course.
The Homestar Fundamentals course is for people with an interest in healthy, warm homes, and their sustainability. This course is for those who want to play a key role in the sustainability of the built environment and are keen to communicate the benefits of Homestar.
Those who have done the course will have good knowledge of the fundamentals of Homestar and can communicate its benefits to the market, understand how their products or services will help achieve Homestar ratings, and assist in the design and construction of Homestar projects.
There are no formal pre-requisites for this course. However, it is recommended that participants have experience in home design and construction, the Healthy Home Standards, and the New Zealand Building Code.
There is no exam element to the Homestar Fundamentals course.
The current course cost for members - $400; Non-members - $690; Future Thinkers - $285
Homestar Designer
This course is delivered in person. Participants must have completed the Homestar Practitioner or Fundamentals course.
The Homestar Designer course focuses on building an in-depth understanding of the theory and application of the Homestar rating tool and principles of sustainable design. Designers are trained to design and advise on the technical aspects of Homestar and the principles of sustainable design, so they can apply this knowledge when working on a Homestar project.
The course includes both online tutorials and in-person tutorials, including the use of the Energy and Carbon Calculator for Homes (ECCHO). The use of ECCHO requires a license for the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) which is included in the course fee. If you already have this license, please get in touch.
Attendees of the Homestar Designer training course must have passed the Homestar Practitioner exam or Homestar Fundamentals course and meet one of the pre-requisites listed below.
This is a technical qualification that requires an understanding of how homes are designed and built in Aotearoa. Attendees must be able to read and interpret house plans and have a basic understanding of building science. Therefore, one of the following qualifications and/or experience is required to attend
- Architectural designer, architect
- Engineer
- Building scientist/technologist
- Quantity surveyor
- Licensed Building Practitioner Level 2 and 3
If you feel you have equivalent experience, please contact us.
Yes. After the course participants need to pass the online examination within 4 weeks of attending the course to receive their qualification.
The current course cost for members - $1,694; Non-members $2,541; Future Thinkers $1,568
Homestar Assessor
This course is delivered via a live webinar. Participants must have completed the Homestar Practitioner or Fundamentals course.
A Homestar Assessor is qualified to lead projects through the assessment process for Homestar certification. This qualification is required for those wishing to submit a Homestar assessment.
The Assessor course covers how to conduct a Homestar assessment, including use of the Homestar calculators and scorecard, the requirements for a Design Rating and Built rating, how to collect and present appropriate evidence, and submissions for audit.
Attendees of the Homestar Assessor course must have passed the Homestar Practitioner exam and meet one of the pre-requisites listed below.
This is a technical qualification that requires an understanding of how homes are designed and built in Aotearoa. Attendees must be able to read and interpret house plans and have a basic understanding of building science. Therefore, one of the following qualifications and/or experience is required to attend
- Architectural designer, architect
- Engineer
- Building scientist/technologist
- Quantity surveyor
- Licensed Building Practitioner Level 2 and 3
If you feel you have equivalent experience, please contact us.
When enrolling in this course, participants will be considered to have accepted the Homestar Assessor Accredition Terms.
Yes. After the course participants need to complete a supervised assessment where the NZGBC will provide guidance during the audit process to assist with your learning and understanding.
The current course cost for members - $690; Non-member $1035; Future Thinkers $572
By attending the Homestar Assessor course and completing the exam, you are agreeing to the Homestar Assessor Accreditation Terms.
Frequently asked questions
This is a useful course if you work for a product supplier, local or national regulatory body, or other organisation that needs to be familiar with the requirements of Homestar and how they can be met, but is not going to be involved directly in designing, building or assessing homes. This course is also a pre-requisite for both the Designer and Assessor courses.
A Homestar Designer is trained to advise and design to Homestar. However, you have to be a Homestar Assessor if you want to submit a Homestar submission for certification.
This depends on your situation. To be able to submit a Homestar v5 project, you will need both a Homestar Designer and a Homestar Assessor on your team. If you are a small practice/sole contractor, this means you would need both the Homestar Designer qualification, to allow you to do the energy modelling of the built, as well as the Homestar Assessor qualification, to allow you to do further calculations and submit the assessment.
If you are working in a bigger team, you do have the option to have an in-house Homestar Designer and an in-house Homestar Assessor working on the same project.
There are no pre-requisite qualifications required for attending the Homestar Practitioner course, however, you must complete the Homestar Practitioner course and exam before attending the Homestar Designer and/or Homestar Assessor course.
The listed pre-requisite qualification are highly recommended, however if you have relevant experience that isn't listed on our website, please contact the Professional Development team.
Register your interest
No upcoming courses in your area? Register your interest in Homestar training and we'll let you know when new courses become available