Australian Unity achieves industry-first portfolio NABERS Energy and Water Ratings for 26 aged care properties

In an industry first for aged care, Australian Unity’s $3.6 billion Healthcare Property business has rated its portfolio of 26 aged care properties under the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS).

The ratings were achieved in collaboration with aged care operator tenants, including Bolton Clarke, Infinite Care and Australian Unity.

NABERS is a national initiative managed by the NSW Government that has been around for 25 years. It provides a simple, standardised and reliable sustainability measurement across Australia’s buildings. 

The NABERS framework ranks buildings from one to six stars across four areas: energy, water, waste and indoor environment. 

The assessment process also identifies opportunities for owners and managers to improve the performance of their buildings, save money and upgrade opportunities, serving as a baseline for owners before embarking on capital upgrades.

James O’Keefe, Aged Care Property Trust Fund Manager, said Australian Unity has a strong interest in improving the environmental performance of its properties, which will drive cost and emissions reductions over the long term.

“This is the first time in Australia an aged care portfolio of this scale has had its environmental performance rated and independently verified by NABERS. It establishes a baseline set of data that will inform our approach to improving the environmental performance of our aged-care properties year-on-year.” said Mr O’Keefe. 

“While this is a first in aged care, other sectors have demonstrated the benefits of NABERS ratings over time, NABERS Energy ratings for Office Buildings (Base and Whole) demonstrate that, on average, this sector can reduce its emissions intensity by 40% after just 10 ratings.

Magali Wardle, Acting Director of NABERS, said: “NABERS is proud to see industry leaders like Australian Unity taking bold action on climate change by rating their entire portfolio with NABERS Energy and Water ratings.

“Smart organisations are incorporating NABERS ratings into their property management practices, which we’ve seen lead to significant improvements in energy and water use over time.”

“This is great for minimising environmental impact, reducing operating costs, enhancing the wellbeing of residents and demonstrating a strong commitment to a sustainable future.” 

O’Keefe said the ratings will strengthen Australian Unity’s ongoing approach to climate reporting.

“With mandatory climate disclosures likely coming into effect in 2025, the NABERS ratings not only support Australian Unity’s approach to measure and report our performance – they will also help our aged care operator tenants achieve this.”

Earlier this year, Brisbane’s STARS at Herston Quarter, which forms part of AUHPT, was the nation’s first hospital to receive a 5 Star Green Star Performance rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

This rating demonstrates excellence in categories including indoor environment, energy, transport, water, materials, land use and ecology, emissions and innovation. 

STARS is a 182-bed, nine-storey facility that provides specialist rehabilitation, elective surgery, endoscopy and outpatient services to meet the expanding demand for healthcare services provided by Metro North Health.

The NSW Government’s Energy Starters grants program is helping owners and operators in the retirement living and aged care sector to take their first steps towards higher performance.

If your building is in NSW, you can access financial incentives to get your first certified NABERS Energy and Water ratings. Find out how NABERS can help you to create a culture of measurement and improvement today.