The Australian regions outperforming the capitals for energy efficient housing

New Australian homes are far more energy efficient than those built previously, a new report from CoreLogic has shown. The report, Amped Up: How energy efficient are Australian

Homes?’ has taken data from CoreLogic and checked it against metrics generated by the CSIRO’s RapidRate™ product to reveal that houses built after 2010 achieved a media star rating of 5.9 out of a possible 10. This compares with a median rating of 2.8 stars for homes built prior to 2010.

The most energy efficient region overall was the ACT, with a median star rating of 6.1. Within the ACT, the region of Molonglo had the highest rating. Positioned halfway between Yarralumla and Stromlo Observatory, Molonglo is the newest district in the ACT and is still under development. It is the only region nationally with a star rating of 6 or above for all dwellings.

The ACT dominated the top 30 list of most energy efficient suburbs. In contrast, Sydney and Hobart were notably absent from the top 30 list, although the report noted that there was a high level of variation across both cities. Sydney and Hobart are also the oldest cities in the country, with some housing stock dating back to the early 19th century. The report noted that demand for heating was also strongest in Hobart, which also had the lowest dwelling completion to population ratio. Heritage restrictions were also identified as a factor.

At a micro level, the Sydney suburbs of Blacktown-North and Bringelly-Green Valley recorded the highest ratings for NSW, with a median of 5.2 stars. In Victoria, the Surf Coast-Bellarine peninsula performed well, with the suburbs of Armstrong Creek, Curlewis and Mount Duneed all showing a median rating of 6 stars or higher.

Given Australian housing accounts for 24 percent of electricity use and 10 percent of carbon emissions, CoreLogic’s Head of Banking & Finance Solutions Tom Coad said it was vital that standards set in the National Construction Code were adhered to.

“The significant difference in energy efficiency between relatively modern homes and older homes can largely be attributed to changes in the National Construction Code

which has progressively placed more emphasis on energy efficiency requirements for newly built homes,” Mr Coad said.

“The Coalition’s recent push to pause the National Construction Code for 10 years flies in the face of Australia’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions.”

“Policymakers should be incentivising the construction of energy efficient buildings, not slamming the breaks.”

The report was compiled using the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) star rating system. Research director at CoreLogic, Tim Lawless, said it was important to continue to monitor the energy efficiency of housing construction.

“What gets measured gets done,” he said. “As standards for energy efficient design and construction rise, it’s also becoming more important to measure energy resilience in

our housing stock.

“Minimum energy efficiency standards for new builds will continue to be important in supporting Australia’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, but there is likely to be

increasing focus and incentives on established housing where most of Australia’s housing stock was built prior to recent minimum standards.”

Property has always been about more than buying and selling. A home can represent a fresh start, a long-term investment, an architectural idea or a connection to a particular neighbourhood. Even when people are not planning a move, many still enjoy following the market, researching local areas and discovering the stories behind remarkable homes.

Atlas Real Estate is responding to that wider interest by creating more ways for people to engage with property. Bringing listings, market information, local perspectives and lifestyle stories together, Atlas offers a destination for anyone curious about homes and the communities surrounding them.

It reflects the reality that people approach real estate with different needs and motivations. One visitor might be actively searching for a new home, while another may want to understand recent results in their suburb. Others might be keeping an eye on changing market conditions, exploring an unfamiliar area or simply appreciating thoughtful architecture and premium residential design.

At atlas.com.au, those interests meet in one place. Visitors can browse properties for sale and recent results, while also exploring market insights, featured homes, local stories and introductions to the people behind Atlas. The result is an experience designed to remain relevant before, during and after a traditional property transaction.

“We’re reimagining real estate around how people actually engage with property today — bringing together market insight, exceptional homes, local perspective and lifestyle in a way that feels more relevant and useful,” says Michael Coombs, Director of Atlas Real Estate.

That approach recognises that an interest in property rarely begins on the day someone decides to buy or sell. A future buyer may spend months learning about suburbs, monitoring prices and refining their sense of what they want. A homeowner might follow nearby sales to understand the changing value and character of their area. An investor may be looking for broader market context, while a design enthusiast may be drawn to an exceptional renovation or a distinctive piece of architecture.

By accommodating those different forms of curiosity, Atlas aims to make engaging with real estate feel less transactional and more connected to everyday life. Property is shaped by its surroundings: the streets, businesses, landscapes and people that give a place its identity. Understanding a home therefore means looking beyond its floor plan or sales history to consider the lifestyle and community that come with it.

This broader perspective also gives local stories a meaningful role. Suburbs are constantly evolving, influenced by new businesses, changing demographics, design trends and the people who choose to make them home. Content that explores these forces can help readers build a richer understanding of an area, whether they are preparing to move there or simply want to stay informed about their own neighbourhood.

The same is true of market information. Sales results and property data are most useful when they are accessible and supported by context. Bringing recent results together with insights and local knowledge can help people follow the market on their own terms, without suggesting that every visit must lead immediately to a transaction.

For Atlas, this thinking forms part of “Real Estate, Reimagined”, its broader brand campaign focused on using brand, creativity and technology to deliver a more relevant, useful and human real estate experience. Rather than treating technology as an end in itself, the emphasis is on how it can make property easier and more engaging to explore.

That human focus matters because real estate decisions are often closely tied to significant moments in people’s lives. A move may be connected to a growing family, a new job, a change in lifestyle or a long-held ambition. Even outside those milestones, homes and neighbourhoods remain a source of interest because they reflect how people live and how communities develop.

Atlas’s approach makes room for both the practical and aspirational sides of that interest. Readers can seek out information with a clear goal in mind or browse simply because a property, place or story captures their attention. In either case, they can move easily between homes, results, market perspectives and local inspiration.

The ambition is not to redefine why people care about property, but to reflect the many reasons they already do. By combining useful information with engaging editorial content, Atlas is creating a place for buyers, sellers, homeowners, investors and the property-curious alike.

Whatever brings you to property, discover more at atlas.com.au

The Australian regions outperforming the capitals for energy efficient housing

An unlikely Australian region is leading the energy efficiency charge for residential construction, while one major capital lags behind

Atlas Real Estate is reimagining how people connect with property, combining listings, market insights, local stories and lifestyle content in one destination for those buying, selling or simply exploring the market.