Section J Reports
NCC energy efficiency assessments for Class 2 to Class 9 buildings, Australia wide
What a Section J report is
A Section J report demonstrates that a building meets the energy efficiency requirements of Section J of the National Construction Code.
A building surveyor or certifier may require it to demonstrate NCC energy efficiency compliance as part of the approval process.
SUHO assesses projects against the NCC edition applicable to the project in the relevant state or territory, including applicable state and territory variations and transitional provisions.
The applicable NCC edition depends on the project location, relevant adoption arrangements and project circumstances.
If you want more information on what Section J covers, we have written that separately in our What Is Section J guide.
This page is about having one produced.
When you need a Section J report
A Section J assessment may be required as part of demonstrating NCC energy efficiency compliance for relevant new building work, alterations, additions, change of use or other building work, depending on the building classification, scope of work and applicable NCC requirements.
In practice, it usually comes up when:
- A building surveyor or certifier requires evidence of NCC energy efficiency compliance
- You are making a building approval or permit application where NCC energy efficiency requirements apply
- A planning or council condition requires an energy efficiency or ESD assessment
- The design changes after an assessment or approval in a way that may affect energy efficiency compliance
DTS or JV3: choosing a compliance pathway
There is more than 1 way to demonstrate compliance, and the choice affects both cost and design freedom.
This is the decision most people are trying to make when they start looking.
We generally start with a DTS assessment where the building design is relatively straightforward and is likely to meet the prescribed requirements without significant design changes.
We consider JV3 where the project has significant glazing, facade complexity, unusual geometry or other design features that may make DTS compliance difficult, or where a performance-based approach may provide greater design flexibility.
JV3 is not automatically the better or cheaper option.
However, it is performance-based, requiring energy modelling and additional project information.
The appropriate Section J compliance pathway depends on the specific project and design.
Deemed to Satisfy (DTS)
How it works
Each building element is checked against a prescribed requirement.
Can suit
Simpler building designs where the design can readily meet the prescribed requirements.
If something does not meet the requirement
Elements that do not meet the prescribed requirements generally need to be redesigned or otherwise addressed to achieve compliance.
JV3 verification
How it works
The proposed building is modelled against a reference building that represents the relevant DTS requirements.
Can suit
Buildings with extensive glazing, complex forms or designs where DTS requirements are difficult to meet.
If something does not meet the requirement
Variations in building performance can be assessed as part of the overall building performance, subject to the NCC requirements.
We advise on the appropriate compliance pathway before assessment begins.
If a project does not comply with DTS, we move to JV3 with your approval.
Our quote already outlines the cost difference between the 2 compliance pathways for your project and why.
We will discuss this further with you when seeking a compliance pathway change.
What is in a SUHO Section J report
Reports are prepared for submission to the building surveyor, certifier or relevant approval authority.
Every report follows the same structure, so you know what is coming before you commission it.
What the report opens with
A document control page recording the project, your reference, the building class, the NCC version and amendment assessed against, the council, and the accredited assessor who prepared and checked it.
1. Action summary
The part most people turn to first.
Everything the building needs in order to comply, in 2 groups.
- Specification upgrades, being the changes to your supplied specification needed to achieve compliance.
- Additional compliance requirements, being items where the information supplied was not enough to verify, so they need confirming.
Each item is written against the clause it relates to, so your team can action it without going back through the full report.
2. Compliance report
The introduction and the compliance summary: what was assessed, the pathway used, and where the building lands against each requirement.
3. Final building specification
The specification as assessed, part by part, so the surveyor can check it against the drawings:
- Structure
- J4 Fabric
- J5 Building sealing
- J6 Air conditioning and ventilation systems
- J7 Artificial lighting and power
- J8 Heated water supply
- J9 Energy monitoring and on-site distributed energy resources
4. Appendix: energy use
The modelling behind the result, covering Performance Requirement J1P1, renewable energy and electric vehicle charging, and the simulation outputs.
5. Appendix: thermal comfort assessment
The background, the method and the results.
6. Appendix: code compliance calculations
The calculations supporting the assessment, so the workings are available rather than assumed.
Building classes and project types we cover
We provide Section J and energy efficiency assessments for applicable Class 2 to Class 9 buildings and building parts.
- Class 2 apartments and multi-residential.
- Class 5 to 8, including offices, retail, service, health-related, storage and industrial uses, where applicable.
- Class 9, including certain health-care, aged-care, education and assembly or community uses, where applicable.
- Mixed-use developments with multiple building classes.
In mixed-use buildings, different building classes or building parts may be subject to different energy efficiency requirements and assessment approaches.
Our process and turnaround
Send us your drawings.
We review them, discuss the project with you, confirm the scope and outline our fee.
You then confirm by signing the acceptance form or sending your purchase order before any work starts.
We confirm the pathway.
We always start with DTS.
If a project does not comply, we move to JV3 with your approval.
Our quote already outlines the cost difference between the 2 compliance pathways for your project and why.
Assessment and modelling.
We carry out a preliminary assessment so we can come back to you early if something is not going to comply.
We can then make changes to meet your priorities for the final assessment and report.
Report issued.
You receive the report ready to submit.
In practice we are usually in contact with the surveyor before we finalise the assessment rather than afterwards, so questions at this stage are uncommon.
Variations.
Where a design changes during the process, depending on the effect of the change, we may request a variation fee to cover the time needed to update our model, assessment and report.
Our turnaround for Section J assessments is generally 3 to 9 business days.
Current turnaround is confirmed with each fee proposal.
What a Section J report costs
A Section J report typically ranges from $560 to $20,000 plus GST.
Every project is different, and the fee is determined by the drivers below.
- Building size, building class and project complexity
- Whether the project takes the DTS or the JV3 pathway
- Whether you request a fabric-only assessment, or wish to include electrical and mechanical
- The complexity of the building design, including glazing and facade requirements
- The design stage, and whether reassessment or updates are required
What we may need from you to start
The information we may need will depend on the assessment pathway and project stage.
Some of the following items can often be found in the architectural drawings, and several may be required for us to start work.
We will make this list clear to you once you have confirmed you would like to proceed with the job.
- Architectural plans, elevations and sections
- Building classification and project location or climate zone
- Construction and build-up details, including wall, roof and floor construction
- Insulation specifications and framing details
- Thermal breaks, where applicable
- Window and glazing schedule with performance data
- Shading information
- Mechanical and HVAC information with equipment schedules
- Lighting layouts and specifications
- Hot water system information, where applicable
- Building sealing and opening information
- Solar PV or renewable energy information, where applicable
- Relevant specifications and building fabric details
- Any previous Section J assessment, particularly for alterations or amendments
Section J across the states
The NCC is a national code, but each state and territory adopts it through its own legislation and may include state or territory variations, exclusions or additional requirements.
We assess the project against the NCC requirements and state or territory provisions applicable to the project location.
Why SUHO for Section J
SUHO is a family-owned consultancy delivering environmentally sustainable design services nationwide for all building classes.
Led by business principal Jim Woolcock, with more than 25 years of industry experience, our team of NABERS and Green Star Accredited Professionals, thermal performance assessors and construction detailing experts has delivered more than 60,000 projects across over 2,000 clients.
What we cover
- Planning phase consulting: SDAPP, BESS, SMP, WMP, LCA and CAP
- Compliance and ratings: NCC (NatHERS, VURB, Section J), Green Star, NABERS, WELL and LEED
- Design and detailing: architecture, energy efficient and sustainable construction detailing
Section J forms part of the broader compliance and sustainability requirements that may apply to a project, alongside planning, ESD and voluntary rating requirements where applicable.
Projects often require planning-stage compliance reporting such as an ESD report, depending on the local council, and many clients also pursue voluntary NABERS or Green Star certification to support asset value and ESG commitments.
Having these under 1 roof means alignment between mandatory compliance and high-performance design, which helps avoid costly redesigns and delays by addressing planning, Section J and certification requirements in a single workflow.
Bringing regulatory approvals and ratings together early in the design process supports building performance, keeps communication consistent across stages, and reduces overall project cost.
We are dedicated to driving Australia's transition to a sustainable built environment by balancing green design innovation with commercial value.
Section J report questions
Is a Section J report the same as a JV3 report?
No.
JV3 is a compliance pathway that uses energy modelling to demonstrate NCC energy efficiency performance.
A JV3 assessment informs a Section J report where it is produced using that compliance pathway rather than the DTS compliance pathway.
Does a renovation or fit-out need a Section J report?
It depends on the scope of the renovation or fit-out and the building classification.
Section J requirements may apply to alterations, additions, change of use or fit-outs where the relevant NCC provisions are triggered.
The extent of assessment depends on the building work and which building elements or services are being altered.
We can review the proposed scope and drawings to confirm what assessment is required.
Who lodges the report?
We issue the report to you, and it is normally submitted to your building surveyor or certifier, or the person managing your permit application.
How long is a Section J report valid for?
A Section J report does not have a universal fixed validity period.
It remains relevant to the design and NCC requirements against which it was prepared.
A reassessment may be required if the applicable NCC edition or jurisdictional requirements change, the project design changes, or the building work differs from the assumptions used in the original assessment.
What happens if the building does not comply?
We tell you during the assessment rather than at the end.
Potential compliance options can include changes to glazing, insulation, building fabric, lighting or building services, depending on the project and assessment pathway.
Do you assess buildings outside your home state?
Yes.
We operate across all states and territories in Australia.
We assess projects against the NCC requirements and state or territory provisions applicable to the project location.
Request a Section J report
Send us your architectural drawings and project details.
We will review the scope, recommend a suitable pathway and confirm our fee.
We commence work once you return the signed acceptance form or forward your purchase order.
You can submit your enquiry and files through our enquiry form, email info@suho.com.au, or call 1300 308 525.