ACT Recognises Passivhaus Standard as a Compliance Pathway

The Australian Passivhaus Association is pleased to share a major milestone for Passivhaus in Australia: the ACT Government has recognised Passivhaus certification as a compliant pathway for meeting energy efficiency requirements in new homes.

This decision is part of the ACT Government’s broader Construction Productivity Agenda, aimed at building more homes, boosting construction sector productivity, and ensuring Canberrans have access to healthier, more efficient housing.

A Big Step Forward for Better Buildings in the ACT

As outlined by Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development, Chris Steel, the ACT’s planning and legislative reforms are designed to streamline building processes and reduce unnecessary costs, without compromising quality.

Recognising Passivhaus certification as a formal compliance pathway provides:

• A clearer route for builders and designers pursuing high-performance, low-energy homes

• Greater certainty for homeowners seeking world-class comfort and energy efficiency

• Alignment with industry-led best practice and the National Construction Code’s performance objectives

This move also reflects the growing strength of the Passivhaus community in the ACT, who have consistently advocated for healthier, more resilient building outcomes.

These reforms are aimed at delivering 30,000 new homes by 2030, improving construction productivity, and making housing simpler and more affordable.

A Win for the Passivhaus Community

The Australian Passivhaus Association welcomes this significant policy shift. Recognising Passivhaus within the ACT’s regulatory framework ensures that world-leading building performance is not only achievable but supported and encouraged.

Stalin Chakrabarty, Acting CEO of the Australian Passivhaus Association, said:

"The ACT’s recognition of Passivhaus Standard as an official compliance pathway for energy efficiency requirements of new homes is a major milestone for high-performance buildings in Australia. This is a huge win for the growing Passivhaus community in the ACT, who now have a clear and trusted pathway to deliver certified projects. We thank the ACT Government and Minister Steel for their leadership and look forward to working with government and industry to accelerate the adoption of Passivhaus across the Territory."

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the ACT Government, industry partners, and the growing community of Passivhaus practitioners to deliver healthier, more comfortable, and energy-efficient homes for all Canberrans.

Read the full ACT Government media release and announcement here.