MEDIA RELEASE │ 30 OCT 2026
The Australian Passivhaus Association (APA) and the Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a national strategic partnership to strengthen skills and capability across Australia's building and design industry.
A major outcome of the partnership will see BDAA's 3,000 plus members gain access to APA's Passivhaus education and training opportunities, opening a significant new pathway for building designers across Australia to develop their knowledge and capability in high-performance building. This includes access to Passivhaus courses and training, upskilling opportunities, CPD, technical resources, industry events and knowledge-sharing opportunities, connecting BDAA members with Australia's growing Passivhaus community.
In return, APA members will gain access to BDAA’s educational courses, continuing professional development programme and flagship events across Australia, including the National Festival of Design. These opportunities will connect APA members with building designers and BDAA's, ABSA accredited energy assessors, supporting shared learning, professional connections and collaboration across design, sustainability and building performance.
Together, APA and BDAA will also work across education, professional development, industry engagement, events, knowledge sharing and advocacy, helping strengthen the connection between building design, building science and practical delivery.
The three-year partnership comes at an important time for Australia's built environment, as expectations around energy efficiency, resilience, building performance, health and occupant wellbeing continue to evolve.
Stalin Chakrabarty, CEO of the Australian Passivhaus Association, said:
“APA and BDAA are natural partners. Bringing our two communities closer together creates an enormous opportunity to build capability across Australia's building and design industry.
Giving around 3,000 BDAA members greater access to Passivhaus education and training has the potential to significantly broaden the reach of high-performance building knowledge across Australia.
But this partnership is bigger than training. It is about bringing our communities together, sharing knowledge and helping ensure the people designing and delivering Australia's future buildings have the skills and confidence to build better.
Ultimately, our shared ambition is better buildings and better outcomes for people, healthier, more comfortable, resilient and energy-efficient places to live, work and learn.”
Chris Knierim, CEO of the Building Designers Association of Australia, said:
“As the national leader in advocacy for building design and sustainability, the BDAA champions the expertise of BDAA accredited building designers and ABSA accredited energy assessors. This partnership connects that expertise with APA’s Passivhaus education, training and technical resources, strengthening our members’ capacity to deliver buildings that perform better.
APA members will gain access to BDAA’s national programmes, flagship events and professional network, including our accredited building designers and ABSA accredited energy assessors. Over the next three years, we will bring our communities together to advance professional knowledge, strengthen our collective voice and turn shared ambition into better outcomes for Australia’s built environment.”
The MOU establishes a three-year framework for the organisations to develop joint education initiatives, professional development, events, industry engagement, knowledge sharing and advocacy, while creating practical benefits for members of both organisations.
Further joint initiatives and member opportunities will be announced throughout the partnership.
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN PASSIVHAUS ASSOCIATION
The APA is the national industry peak body championing the Passivhaus standard in Australia and the advancement of healthier, more comfortable and energy-efficient buildings. Since 2013, the APA has supported Australia’s Passivhaus industry through education, advocacy, technical knowledge and industry collaboration. It represents more than 17,000 building industry professionals and suppliers across 700 member organisations.
ABOUT THE BUILDING DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
The Building Designers Association of Australia is a national association and a leading voice in advocacy, education and professional excellence, representing building designers and energy assessors across Australia. Championing BDAA accredited designers and ABSA accredited energy assessors, the association strengthens professional standards, influences industry policy and equips its members to shape a more sustainable, high performing built environment.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Australian Passivhaus Association
Stalin Chakrabarty, Chief Executive Officer
E: stalin@passivhausassociation.au