From Growth to Impact: APA Chair’s Letter
Dear Members and Friends of the Australian Passivhaus Association,
Hasn’t our little association grown?! From a group of dedicated volunteers to a staff of 7 and a growing advocacy presence across the country.
As I reflect on the past 12 months, I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the small but growing and mighty team at the APA for their tireless effort as well as the committee leads and volunteers around the country who dedicate spare time to advancing our mission. Your work to Educate, Advocate, and Promote Passivhaus buildings in Australia has been nothing short of inspiring. From expanding our educational offerings to strengthening our advocacy voice, your dedication continues to shape a more sustainable and high-performance built environment across the country.
This year has marked a significant turning point for Passivhaus in Australia. We’ve seen an 86% increase in buildings seeking certification, a clear signal that the market is embracing the rigour and reliability of the Passivhaus standard. The Association has responded with new tools, updated guidance, and expanded outreach, including the 2nd annual Passivhaus Incubator program, which has had an impressive cohort of over 120 attendees. We released the Claiming the Passivhaus Standard guide, and have more guidance in draft to release, in addition we ran our biggest education promotion to date.
Did you know that in the last financial year we trained 2700 people across our complimentary and paid offerings in the education department?
I reflect with admiration on the strategic plan set in 2022 at the start of my journey on the Australian Passivhaus Board and the systematic work by Alexia, Stalin and the team to take on and deliver each of the elements within to improve our governance, effectiveness and cohesiveness as an organisation. Let me be clear – this work is fundamental in APA delivering for our membership.
At the Passivhaus Conference in Melbourne, I reiterated a key request to our community:
If you are working on a certified project, please ensure it is added to the APA Project Register. And if you are a Certifier, we ask that you regularly notify the APA of projects under certification. These simple acts help the Association amplify your work, advocate more effectively, and promote the growing stock of high-performance buildings in Australia. The Project Register is not just a list, it’s a powerful tool for storytelling, influence, and change. It's the evidence we require to advocate with strength.
The growth of the Passivhaus market benefits us all. It creates more meaningful and impactful work for our members, and it increases the visibility and credibility of certified buildings nationwide. From tropical Queensland to temperate Tasmania, Passivhaus is proving its adaptability and value across Australia’s diverse climates. This momentum is helping to shift perceptions, raise standards, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
As we grow, let us also grow together. I encourage all members to continue fostering an inclusive and supportive culture—towards each other and towards the APA team. By creating an organisational ecosystem rooted in respect, generosity, and shared purpose, we ensure that everyone benefits and that our collective work positively influences the broader market.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be another exciting chapter. The APA will be focusing on strengthening our advocacy efforts, expanding our education programs, and deepening engagement with policymakers and industry leaders. We’ll also be launching new initiatives to support regional chapters and increase visibility of certified projects through public events and media.
I’d like to thank all members of the APA Staff – Alexia, Stalin, Issa, Ille, and Georgina - for your dedication.
I’d also like to thank all state chapter chairs – Mark and Shanica in Victoria, Kylie and Trent in NSW, Daria and Peter in ACT, Jessica and Jonathen in SA, Carlos and Ben in WA, Torquil in Tassie, and Matthew covering Queensland and NT.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are building not just better buildings, but a better future.
Kind regards,
Joe Karten
Chair
Australian Passivhaus Association
Joe Karten
Board Chair
Australian Passivhaus Association