2025 Changes to the Passivhaus Education Department
The Australian Passivhaus Association believes in a culture of continual improvement. After an extensive consultation our education department is undergoing the following changes. The training department is only a few years old and developing a rhythm. In our 2023-2026 Strategy the Board determined that the organisation would develop its own Learning Management System, in addition to a variety of other changes to the department which are being implemented to ensure the best learning outcomes for the market. We now work closely with our trainers and course content specialists to facilitate the following:
An annual training engagement workshop
An annual course content update
We work with trainers who have a passion for education and practical experience delivering projects in the Australian Passivhaus Certified project market. Not only are they able to share information in a meaningful way, but they can draw upon their own experiences for the benefit of attendees. Our course content is meaningfully crafted both with a combination of international and local expertise. Please see the changes we have implemented to these programs listed as of May 13 2025.
Certified Passivhaus Designer Course
In January of 2025 the first course content update was released, this will continue to take place January annually. Changes implemented in the 2025 course included a fresher design, new case studies (more to come), Imperial metric measurements.
This course previously included access to a self paced online PHPP program, feedback received indicated that course participants preferred this education be included within the program as a live session. Commencing June 2025 these changes have been implemented.
Course attendees have indicated that they would prefer that the exam preparation was included, As of June 2025, these changes have been implemented.
From June 2025, the Certified Passivhaus Designer Course has increased from a 4 week program to a 6 week program. With two sessions held per week, this will, increase the total number of sessions to 11 sessions.
In mid to late 2025 - The Certified Passivhaus Designer Course will transition into APA’s own learning management system.
We have updated the marketing of the program to make this clearer.
The course pre-requisites have been outlined.
Homework will be allocated to attendees for each session.
The price of this course will remain unchanged.
Overall these changes are designed to make the content easier to consume, and manage attendee expectations on the purpose of the training and the outcomes they should expect in the marketplace. There is a better flow in information from course to course across the department which is more inline with the expectations of the course participant.
Design PH Training
This program will now be called Design PH - Theory to Practice. The reason for this is to help the market recognise the mirroring between the Certified Passivhaus Designer Course providing theory, and the practical application of this knowledge coming alive in the Design PH program. In the same way as after a professional does a degree and when the apply this knowledge in a practical supported environment. Many professionals have not understood the volume of knowledge required to become a Certified Professional, before becoming a comfortably practicing one.
This program will now include the purchase of DesignPH software's as it’s required to undertake the training.
Certified Passivhaus Tradesperson Course
The Practical Training day has traditionally been offered as a loving freebie for those who can attend in Sydney and Melbourne. In offering this as a freebie, the organisation has well meanly supported some but not all to have access to this service. We have recently received feedback that for our course participants over in other States such as WA, SA, QLD, TAS it is inaccessible for them to fly to Melb or Sydney to attend. A recent survey has indicated that course attendees feel it is fair to charge a small fee to all participants to attend the practical training day. This will allow the Association to better resource itself and we hope to support participation around the Nation if the minimum numbers allow. This means that the Practical Training Day will not be included within this ticket price any longer.
We are currently discussing a range of other changes to this program with our Trainers and Emu.