Retail Stores

How it works

Measure, compare and communicate your retail store's environmental performance with NABERS.

A NABERS rating helps retailers measure the sustainability of their stores. Use NABERS to see how your store compares to others and identify opportunities to save energy, recycle and reduce waste, and more!

After your shopping centre is assessed, you'll receive a rating from 1 to 6 stars, with 3 stars being average and 6 being market leading. Your rating is based how your building's real performance compares to the industry benchmark.

The information on this page relates to individual retail stores. To learn more about NABERS for shopping centre base buildings, visit the Shopping Centres page.

A certification you can trust

NABERS is a trusted, government-backed sustainability initiative, providing independent and credible sustainability assessments since 1999. Our ratings are formulated based on your retail store's actual operational performance and how it compares to similar buildings.

Support reporting and disclosure

NABERS provides third-party verification of performance data that can support sustainability reporting and internal performance tracking. Assessment reports also provide useful metrics that help retail stores track progress against their ESG commitments.

Reduce operating expenses

In the world of retail, tight margins are a common and persistent challenge. Use your NABERS rating to identify areas for operational improvements and subsequent cost savings.

Measure, target and plan fitouts

Use NABERS Energy performance targets to ensure the most efficient retail store fitouts and refurbishments, and identify which stores need attention or improvement.

Communicate your performance with ease

Use a NABERS rating to translate technical building performance into simple information that investors, customers and other key stakeholders can understand.

Boost your brand image

A strong NABERS rating identifies your retail store as a leader in environmental performance. It's a great way to recognise for your achievements in sustainability and boost your store's reputation among consumers.

Ratings and tools for retail stores

For existing retail stores

Energy rating

A NABERS Energy rating measures the energy efficiency of your store. An Energy rating includes the Renewable Energy Indicator, which shows what percentage of your building's energy has come from renewable sources.

Link up with your landlord and save

Co-Assess makes it easier for retail stores and their shopping centre landlords to be rated together, with each receiving their own NABERS Energy rating.

Learn more about Co-Assess for Retail Stores.

Waste Verification and Platform

NABERS Waste tools measure how well your retail store manages waste generation, recycling, resource recovery and supply chain management. NABERS can provide an independent measurement of the recycling and resource recovery performance of your store.

For new or planned shopping centres

Embodied Carbon rating

Measure the upfront embodied carbon of your new retail store build or partial rebuild with a NABERS Embodied Carbon rating. This tool is a certified measure of material, transport and construction-related emissions.

Commitment Agreement

Commit to design, build and commission a retail store to achieve a specific Energy rating with a NABERS Commitment Agreement.

Agreement to Rate

If you’re building or refurbishing a retail store, you can commit to obtaining a NABERS rating once it becomes operational with an Agreement to Rate.

Testimonials

M.J. Bale

"NABERS ratings will help retailers better understand their carbon footprint and energy consumption, helping to make energy-conscious decisions. Energy-efficient retail stores will create long-term sustainable value and help achieve carbon emission reductions for retail businesses."

Athena Savvas, Sustainability and Projects Manager at M.J. Bale

Resources for retail stores

Downloads

Fact Sheet - Retail Stores

Learn more about NABERS for retail stores.

PDF • 562.02KB

Links

The Rules - NABERS Energy for Retail Stores

Explore the detailed method and criteria Assessors must follow when certifying the energy efficiency of a retail store.

Start your NABERS journey

Take the first step towards measuring your retail store's sustainability performance.

Find an Assessor

Get in touch with our team

Learn more about how NABERS can support your sustainability goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

For any other questions about NABERS for retail stores please contact us.

To learn more about pricing for retail stores, visit Pricing and Offers.

Most types of retail stores are eligible for a NABERS Retail Store rating. For more information on eligibility, download the rules document for your desired rating type from the Publications page.

Some key exclusions include:

Food and beverage (F&B) outlets such as restaurants, cafes and takeaway food services are not eligible for a NABERS retail store rating. However, F&B outlets can be assessed with the NABERS Energy Performance Indicator.
Supermarkets are not currently eligible for NABERS Retail Store Energy ratings. They are eligible for the Embodied Carbon rating.

At this stage, ratings are available only to stores based in Australia.

For more information on eligibility, download the rules document for your desired rating type from the Publications page.

A NABERS rating considers factors unique to your retail store to ensure a fair, like-forlike comparison. Depending on your rating type, some factors that we consider are:

Rated area (GLAR)
Location type
Servicing arrangement
Weekly trading hours
Retail category
Climate zone

For more information on the factors considered for your rating, view the Rules of your desired rating type on our Publications page.

The information required will vary depending on the rating type, scope and characteristics of your retail store. Energy ratings require at least 12 months of historical performance data, along with supporting information about your facility and its operations.

A NABERS Assessor can help identify the information required for your specific rating and guide you through the assessment process. For detailed requirements, refer to the Rules document for your chosen rating type.

To find a NABERS Assessor for a retail store, visit the Find an Assessor tool.

As service levels vary, we recommend obtaining quotes from two or three NABERS Assessors.

To learn more about how NABERS Energy rating for Retail Stores are calculated, visit the Retail Stores Energy and Water Rules page.

For Rules of other types of NABERS ratings, download the rules document for your desired rating type from the Publications page.

Validity periods vary by rating type, though most NABERS ratings are valid for 12 months. Refer to the page of your desired rating to learn more about its validity period.

The latest news for retail stores

30 Jul 2026