NSW · BASIX uplift (1 Oct 2023) · NCC 2022 NatHERS 7-Star
NSW's 7-Star energy standards are reshaping the window spec
Since 1 October 2023, NSW BASIX has aligned with NCC 2022 — lifting every new home and apartment to a NatHERS 7-star minimum. At that performance level, standard single-glazed aluminium almost never gets a project over the line, and thermally broken double-glazing has become the dependable spec. Seamless supplies AS 2047:2014 certified thermally broken systems at Uw 2.0–3.0 W/m²K, factory-direct, with the WERS data your assessor needs.
What changed in NSW
BASIX and NCC 2022 now pull in the same direction
NSW runs its own sustainability tool — BASIX — on top of the national code. The 1 October 2023 uplift (via the Sustainable Buildings SEPP) raised BASIX thermal performance from an average of 5.5–6 stars to 7 stars on NatHERS, deliberately aligning it with NCC 2022. For specifiers and importers, that means one performance bar for every new NSW dwelling.
7 stars, modelled window by window
BASIX assesses thermal performance through NatHERS, which models every window individually — size, orientation, frame and glass type. There is no averaging your way past a weak frame. The uplift effectively requires roughly a 20% better window U-value and a 30% better SHGC than the previous standard across most NSW climate zones.
- —Applies to all new NSW homes and apartments (excludes climate zones 9–11 and apartments up to 5 storeys)
- —Each elevation assessed on its own U-value and orientation-matched SHGC
- —Standard single-glazed aluminium almost never complies on its own
The frame is where the rating is won or lost
A well-insulated wall reaches R2.5 or higher; a single-glazed aluminium window sits closer to R0.2 — the biggest hole in the envelope. A polyamide thermal break splits the inner and outer frame, cutting 0.5–1.0 W/m²K off the whole-window U-value. Paired with double-glazed Low-E it lands inside the band a 7-star build needs.
- —Glazing is the fastest lever to lift a failing BASIX/NatHERS rating
- —Thermally broken + double-glazed Low-E is the reliable path to 7 stars
- —Getting the spec right early avoids redesigns, re-glazing and re-lodgement
The numbers that decide a BASIX certificate
Three figures your assessor actually checks
A BASIX certificate comes down to three whole-of-system numbers — not glass-only marketing figures. Get these right for each orientation and the rating follows.
U-value comparison
What actually clears the BASIX 7-star bar
Whole-window U-value (Uw) is the number BASIX models — glass and frame together. This is how common window build-ups stack up against the band most 7-star NSW builds need.
| Frame & glazing type | Typical Uw (W/m²K) | 7-star ready? |
|---|---|---|
| Single-glazed standard aluminium | 5.5 – 6.0 | No |
| Double-glazed standard aluminium (clear) | 3.6 – 4.2 | Rarely |
| Double-glazed aluminium + Low-E | 2.6 – 3.4 | Sometimes |
| Seamless thermally broken + double-glazed Low-E | 2.0 – 3.0 | Yes |
| Thermally broken + Low-E double coat | 1.8 – 2.2 | Yes |
Indicative whole-window U-value ranges from WERS-listed product data and Seamless AS 2047:2014 system specifications. The exact compliant Uw and SHGC depend on your climate zone, orientation and glazing ratio — always confirm the WERS-rated figures for your selected series.
Why Seamless clears the bar
Certified systems, engineered for the NSW standard
Seamless manufactures thermally broken aluminium windows and doors for the Australian market — certified to AS 2047:2014 and wind-rated to AS/NZS 1170.2 — landing inside the U-value band NSW builders need for 7-star BASIX compliance, supplied factory-direct.
NSW BASIX & 7-star glazing FAQ
Common questions from NSW importers, builders, specifiers and energy assessors.
Does NSW BASIX require thermally broken windows?+
Not by name. BASIX sets a NatHERS 7-star performance target for the whole home, not a single component. But because the 1 October 2023 uplift raised the bar so far, thermally broken double-glazed (or uPVC) frames have become the most reliable way to reach it — standard single-glazed aluminium almost never complies, especially with larger glazing areas.
When did the NSW 7-star standard take effect?+
The higher BASIX standards commenced on 1 October 2023 under the Sustainable Buildings SEPP, aligning NSW with NCC 2022. A transition period for contracts signed before that date ended on 30 September 2024, so the 7-star standard now applies to effectively all new NSW residential builds.
What U-value do my windows need for a NSW 7-star build?+
There's no single number — it depends on climate zone, orientation and glazing ratio. Most 7-star Australian builds land in the Uw 1.8–2.8 W/m²K range. Seamless thermally broken systems sit at 2.0–3.0 W/m²K. Confirm the target with your energy assessor early in design.
Does BASIX apply to apartments and renovations too?+
Yes. BASIX applies to all new NSW residential dwelling types — Class 1 houses and Class 2 apartments — and to alterations or additions costing $50,000 or more. The 7-star uplift excludes climate zones 9–11 and apartment buildings up to 5 storeys; we can advise on the right spec for your project type.
Can Seamless provide WERS / U-value data for my energy assessor?+
Yes. We supply the total-system U-value and SHGC figures your assessor needs to model the build, alongside AS 2047:2014 test reports and wind ratings. Request the documentation pack via the contact form.
Spec your NSW project for 7-star BASIX
Send us your climate zone, orientation and glazing schedule. We'll return AS 2047:2014 certified thermally broken systems with the WERS-verified U-values your energy assessor needs to clear BASIX and NCC 2022.
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