BASIX Datasets
Annual BASIX datasets for NSW Local Government Areas, including BASIX New Single Dwelling 2011-12 to 2018-19 datasets.
This page provides details about the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) datasets available at BASIX Dwelling Certificates 2011-2020.
The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) captures data about the sustainability choices people make in new residential development. These datasets include information on the type of hot water system chosen, types of cooling systems used, as well as general information about dwellings, including the number of bedrooms.
Key terms
Alterations and additions: includes additions to an existing house such as a swimming pool, basement or attic, sunroom, spa room and secondary dwelling (granny flat) by conversion of existing habitable space.
BASIX: a series of development application requirements for water usage, energy usage and thermal comfort performance applying to all new residential dwellings and alterations and additions worth more than $50,000, as well as and swimming pools over 40,000L.
BASIX Certificate: the legal document needed to approve a development that complies with BASIX. A BASIX Certificate is generated using an online tool; if the development meets the BASIX requirements, a certificate is generated and submitted with the development application of complying development certificate.
BASIX Targets: BASIX sets the sustainability targets for water and energy, and minimum performance levels for thermal comfort that are required of a residential development. Target scores vary by dwelling type, as well as location to suit local conditions. They are expressed as a percentage saving against a NSW benchmark (this benchmark is consistent across NSW).
BASIX Tool: estimates the water and energy consumption and the thermal comfort based on the details of the proposed dwelling, including floor area, size, location, type of windows, type of insulation and the type of hot water being installed.
Completion receipt: following the final inspection, and prior to issuing a final occupation certificate, the certifying authority is required to issue a BASIX completion receipt.
Multi-dwelling: includes townhouses, row houses, terraces, residential flat buildings, dual occupancy, two houses on one lot, and a new principal dwelling and a new secondary dwelling (granny flat) together.
Non-strata title properties: usually refers to a separate house.
Single dwelling: includes a single house on one lot, a bungalow, one part of a semi-detached home, a cottage, and a secondary dwelling (granny flat) by change of use or next to an existing principal dwelling.
Total bonds: live bonds held at the last date of the quarter.
Strata title properties: usually includes townhouses, terraces/villas, flats/units (multi-unit dwellings).
Usage notes
- The data are indicators of trends in new residential development. They do not capture existing dwellings or monitor minor renovations that change the sustainability of a residential dwelling.
- Data is richest for single detached dwellings. Multi-unit developments have less data available.
- Data is collected at the planning stage, prior to build.
- The BASIX calculations are based on average occupancy and behaviour. There may be differences between the planned and actual delivery of residential developments and energy and water usage and thermal loads.
- Multiple certificates can be generated for a single development. Certificates can also be revised. Users can filter for certificates with a completion receipt to check whether the development proceeded to construction and occupation.
- The annual releases include both new certificates as well as revisions to existing certificates. Due to these revisions, yearly releases are not directly comparable.
- BASIX has developed a webpage of definitions.
- Relationship to the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS): NatHERS provides homes with a star rating out of ten based on an estimate of its potential (heating and cooling) energy use. It is included in the National Construction Code and used by state and territory governments. In NSW, the BASIX system replaces the code’s energy efficiency requirements, including NatHERS, and adds other aspects of sustainable development. Not every newly built residential dwelling will have a NatHERS rating (only those that use the Simulation thermal comfort method will have a NatHERS rating).NatHERS data is visualised by the CSIRO across a series of dashboards.
- Provisions to enable the operation of BASIX are contained in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021 and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022.
Last updated: 10/07/2023