Becoming a CBD assessor

Only Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) accredited assessors can apply for Building Energy Efficiency Certificates (BEECs) on behalf of building owners or lessors, conduct CBD Tenancy Lighting Assessments (TLAs), and provide assessor supporting statements for exemption applications.

CBD accreditation

A CBD accredited assessor is someone who has been accredited by the Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water as a CBD assessor under the provisions of the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010 (BEED Act).

Steps Required

  1. Successfully complete the Commercial Building Disclosure Online Course. The course contains two interactive online modules and an exam. The training is provided by NABERS and is entirely self-service, trainees can complete the modules and exam at their own pace. There is a course fee of $50 for the training.

    The first Module will provide information on the CBD program, how to operate as a CBD accredited assessor and the powers and obligations of CBD accredited assessors under the BEED Act. Assessors need to pass an online assessment, comprising multiple choice questions, to complete this module. To pass the module, assessors must answer at least 80 per cent of the questions correctly. 

    In the second Module you will learn how to conduct Tenancy Lighting Assessments (TLAs), how to apply for Building Energy Efficiency Certificates (BEECs), and how to explain CBD program exemptions.
     

  2. Pass the CBD Lighting Examination. Once the above training is complete, assessors need to complete the online exam. To pass the exam, assessors must answer at least 75 per cent of the questions correctly.
     
  3. Register for MyGovID. You will need to be registered and setup as an authorised user as outlined in the myGovID Guide.
     
  4. Register on the CBD Assessor Portal. The CBD program has developed an online user interface for CBD accredited assessors. This tool assists assessors in creating and managing an online identity used to link to an online 'assessor portal' in order to submit BEECs, TLAs and exemption applications, as well as managing accreditation. Upon completion of the CBD Accredited Assessor Training Course the CBD team will send an email containing the instructions for registration.
     
  5. Provide evidence of current National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) accreditation. To be accredited with NABERS, assessors must successfully complete NABERS Energy and Water for Offices training, sign a contract with the NABERS Administrator (the NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage) and successfully complete one or more supervised NABERS Energy for offices ratings. Once accredited, NABERS accreditation details need to be updated and maintained in the CBD Assessor Portal. For more information, see the NABERS website.
     
  6. Inform CBD of Insurance details. Assessors must hold public liability insurance of at least $10 million in relation to their functions as an accredited assessor (BEED Regulation 9(2)(b)). Assessors are also required to hold professional indemnity insurance to the amount prescribed by NABERS in the NABERS Assessor Agreement (found on the NABERS What is an Accredited Assessor? page). This amount must be adequate to cover any claims arising out of assessments they carry out under the BEED Act. These details can be emailed to the CBD Team or uploaded via the CBD Assessor Portal.
     
  7. Complete the CBD Accreditation form and pay the fee. The application form for CBD accreditation is available via the CBD Assessor Portal. Payment details will be included in the same email as your training course results.

Once all steps are complete the Secretary may accredit you as an assessor under Section 25 of the BEED Act. Please note CBD accredited assessors are not employees of the Commonwealth, and accreditation carries no guarantee by the Commonwealth of employment in the field of building and lighting energy efficiency assessments. For further information, download our guidance note on Becoming a CBD Accredited Assessor.

CBD accreditation is valid for 3 years, provided that the NABERS accreditation and insurances are valid and up-to-date in the CBD Assessor Portal, and the accreditation has not been suspended or revoked. At the end of the 3 years, assessors can apply for Re-Accreditation. For more information about re-accreditation, see the CBD Assessor Re-Accreditation page.

If you have any queries, please email the CBD team at info@cbd.gov.au or call 1800 020 131.