Certificate IV in Home Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Overview

To access government funding for this course students must be a Victorian resident. This is a great course to complement your building or assessor experience, or even to jump into a new field. This qualification is designed to meet the needs of assessors operating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). Potential users of this qualification include NatHERS assessors, enterprises, government agencies, industry regulatory bodies, community organisations, building designers, architects and other building professionals associated with residential building thermal performance. You’ll learn how to read plans, drawings and specifications for buildings, conduct NatHERS assessments, adhere to regulations, assess and advise clients on improving thermal performance, and how to collect the NatHERS information for assessment. Note: You should make yourself familiar with a NatHERS Accredited software application.

There are two FREE download software programs, FirstRate 5 and HERO which also provide support and training for candidates. We introduce and teach FirstRate5. Students can choose to use HERO, however they will have to undertake their own training in this. There are detailed video tutorials for both software programs available online, provided by developers of HERO and FirstRate5. FirstRate5® is a free download, easy-to-use interactive tool with a graphic user interface that enables designers and thermal performance assessors to generate energy ratings for a home by tracing over floor plans. https://www.fr5.com.au/ FirstRate5 has a comprehensive User Manual and a large range of video support to assist TPAs.

HERO is another free download NatHERS Accredited software package incorporating the latest Chenath engine and NatHERS Certificate design. Hero | NatHERS Energy Rating Software (hero-software.com.au) HERO provide training and support in the package.

Delivery Methods

• Online – All teaching and assessment will be completed online

Locations

• Online Delivery

When You Can Enrol

Apply online now! Note: If the course is not available for online application, register your details via the ‘Enquire Now’ form to be notified when future dates are scheduled, or to chat to our friendly Customer Experience team.

Duration

Online: 1 year

Schedule

2025 Dates: Online: 12 May (Tuesday evenings) or 15 Sept (Monday evenings) | Time: 6pm - 9pm | Course typically delievered in 6-7 week blocks with four blocks throughout the course.

The course is delivered over four blocks of training, three to four units of competency are covered at a time. The first block focuses on Industry Knowledge and Skills, providing a foundational understanding of building design and construction. This is followed by Professional Practice, preparing students for effective engagement in the field. The course then moves into the technical aspects with Thermal Performance Assessments, and Whole-of-Home Assessments, combining learning and practical application. Support is provided via forums, emails, phone calls and if required, video conferencing.

Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this course. Students should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week on self-directed study in addition to class time. Assessments have due dates, that need to be met, and the course must be completed within the 12 months.

Assessment

The assessments will enable students to demonstrate the underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes required to meet the course outcomes. A range of assessment strategies to meet different student’s needs will be selected. As this course is online, 100% of the assessments are done online, whether written assessments or tests.

Other Information

Wodonga TAFE recognises students’ prior learning, skills, and experience with appropriate documentation. Transcripts from previous qualifications, documentation of workplace skills and verifiable evidenced experience from the field form a part of the assessment of the elements for recognition.

Skills developed

- Identify risk and apply risk management processes
- Follow site occupational health and safety requirements
- Read and extract information from plans, drawings and specifications for residential buildings
- Collection information for, and conduct NatHERS assessment of planned and existing residential buildings
- Meet regulatory requirements when completing NatHERS assessments
- Assess impact of building elements on thermal performance of residential buildings
- Advise on options for enhancing thermal performance of residential buildings
- Cost measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings
- Manage own work, professional development and ethical behaviour

Compulsory Units

BSBRSK401 Identify risk and apply risk management processes
CPPCOM4001 Manage own work, professional development and ethical behaviour
CPPHES4001 Research and assess impact of building elements on thermal performance of residential buildings
CPPHES4002 Advise clients on thermal performance of residential buildings
CPPCMN4008 Read plans, drawings and specifications for residential buildings
CPPHES4003 Operate and maintain computer system to support thermal performance assessments
CPPHES4004 Conduct thermal performance assessment of residential buildings
CPPHES5001 Conduct thermal performance assessment of complex residential buildings
CPPCOM4002 Implement safe work practices in the property industry
CPPHES4007 Assess thermal performance of existing residential buildings
CPCCBC4014 Prepare simple building sketches and drawings
CPCCSV5011A Apply building codes and standards to residential buildings
CPPCMN3004 Respond to enquiries and complaints
CPPHES4009 Promote the adoption of home sustainability practices
CPPHES4005 Assess household energy use and efficiency improvements

Licences/Tickets

Upon completion of the course, students will need to be registered with an Assessor Accrediting Organisation such as Design Matters National (DMN), Australian Building Sustainability Association (ABSA) or House Energy Raters Association (ABSA).
Applicants for this course need to understand the requirements of the relevant jurisdictions that they may seek registration and/or licensing upon completion to ensure this course offering meets those requirements.

Certification

By successfully completing this course you will receive an AQF Qualification.

Fees

Government Funded $3,624.00 (Tuition $3,624.00, Materials $0.00)
Concession $724.80 (Tuition $724.80, Materials $0.00)
Fee For Service $9,966.00 (Tuition $9,966.00, Materials $0.00)

Fees Additional Information

The student tuition fees published are indicative only and can be subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

If you hold a valid concession card, you maybe eligible to receive the concession fee as indicated in the Fees tab.

Funding made available to eligible individuals by State and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect future opportunities to access additional funding in the future. To access government funding for this course students will need to be a Victorian resident. For more information see ‘Fee information and eligibility’ under the 'How to Apply' tab on the Wodonga TAFE website.

Careers

• NatHERS assessor
• Building energy rating/scheme assessor

How to apply

Apply via the ‘Apply now’ button in the course information page. If the course is not available for online application, register your details via the ‘Enquire Now’ form to be notified when future dates are scheduled, or to chat to our friendly Customer Experience team.

Please note: We reserve the right to close course intakes early. Many courses have limited places and high demand. Early applications are recommended. We reserve the right to cancel intakes and courses if there are insufficient student numbers.