How to get a BEEC

The Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program requires most sellers and lessors of office space of 1000 square metres or more to have an up-to-date Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC). BEECs contain a National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy for offices rating and a CBD tenancy lighting assessment.

 Process

How to Get a BEEC process flowchart

  1. Check if the building already has a BEEC—you can search our Building Energy Efficiency Register by name and/or location of the building.
  2. Engage a CBD accredited assessor and agree on fees and charges—only CBD accredited assessors can apply for a BEEC on behalf of building owners or lessors. The cost of a rating can vary, depending on the size and complexity of the property. As with any professional service, we encourage you to seek more than one quote to ensure you receive a competitive price. If you are approached by someone claiming to provide services and advice in relation to the CBD Program, we advise you to check their credentials. You can search our Register of CBD accredited assessors to find an assessor.
  3. Gather required information, for example electricity and gas bills for last 12 months, documents validating net lettable area, lease documents and after-hours air-conditioning request logs. Getting a building’s first NABERS Energy for offices rating can take some time, and so preparing all necessary information can save time and money. If some of the required information is held by other persons, your CBD assessor can help you request that information. Building owners and lessors can also discuss how to prepare with their CBD assessor. You should also consider including clauses in leases or agreements to ensure ongoing access to the required information. For more information on how to prepare for a NABERS rating visit the NABERS website.
  4. CBD assessor performs assessment—the CBD accredited assessor conducts the NABERS Energy for offices rating assessment and CBD tenancy lighting assessment as required, using the appropriate NABERS rules and CBD lighting assessment rules.
  5. CBD assessor submits the BEEC application - which includes details such as the assessor name and accreditation number, building owner details, and evidence of valid NABERS and lighting assessment ratings as required under the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010.
  6. Application is approved. When the Department approves the application, we email an electronic version of the BEEC to the CBD assessor, for printing and display. We also add the BEEC to the Building Energy Efficiency Register.

Timeframe

If the building does not already have a NABERS Energy for offices rating and/or CBD lighting assessment, allow up to eight weeks for the assessment to be performed and processed.

You also need to allow additional time for the processing of BEEC applications—we aim to process BEEC applications within 28 days of receiving the completed BEEC application form.

Cost

We do not charge a fee for processing tenancy lighting assessments or BEEC applications.

The cost of obtaining or updating a BEEC relates to the actual assessment and is negotiated between the building owner or lessor and the selected CBD accredited assessor. The cost can vary depending on the size and complexity of the property. The industry has advised that the approximate cost could be between $4,000 and $13,000. As with any professional service, it is a good idea to seek more than one quote to ensure you receive a competitive price.

Quick Reference

  1. Check if your building already has a BEEC
  2. Building owners/ lessor engages a CBD accredited assessor and agrees on fees and charges
  3. Gather required information
  4. Assessor performs necessary assessment as required
  5. Assessor submits BEEC electronically
  6. Application is approved