What Is BASIX? A Homeowner’s Guide to Building Sustainably in NSW

When you’re planning to build a new home in New South Wales—especially with a trusted builder like Casaview Homes—you’ll quickly come across the term BASIX. If it sounds a bit technical, don’t worry. We’re here to break it down into plain, practical language to help you understand what it is, why it matters, and how Casaview takes care of it for you.

What Is BASIX?

BASIX stands for Building Sustainability Index, a NSW Government initiative that ensures new homes are designed to be energy- and water-efficient. Introduced in 2004, BASIX applies to all new residential builds and renovations valued over $50,000.
At its core, BASIX aims to:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Cut water consumption
• Improve the overall comfort of your home

If you're building a custom home, duplex, or townhouse, your project must comply with BASIX before you can obtain a Construction Certificate.

What Does BASIX Cover?

BASIX measures sustainability in three key areas:
1. Water Efficiency
Expect to see:

• Water-saving taps and shower heads
• Dual-flush toilets
• Rainwater tanks or recycled water systems

2. Energy Efficiency
This includes:

• Effective insulation
• Strategic window placements
• Energy-efficient lighting, heating, and appliances

3. Thermal Comfort
Your home should maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without relying too heavily on air conditioning or heating. That means:

• Proper orientation
• Shading
• High-quality insulation and glazing

BASIX and Casaview Homes: A Seamless Partnership

At Casaview Homes, BASIX is built into our process. We handle:

• All BASIX and NatHERS documentation
• Thermal performance assessments
• Council submissions
• Wise design choices that make meeting BASIX simple

Our homes already include many of the features required for compliance, such as Rinnai continuous-flow gas hot water systems, recycled water taps, and insulated construction, as part of our standard inclusions.

What’s Changed? BASIX in 2023–2024

In line with Australia’s move toward Net Zero housing, BASIX targets have recently increased:

• Minimum 7-star NatHERS rating now required
• More stringent requirements around energy use and glazing
• Push toward all-electric homes and solar integration

Not to worry—Casaview’s in-house design team stays across these updates to keep your home compliant and future-proof.

What You Can Do as a Homeowner

While Casaview handles the heavy lifting, your decisions still matter. Here are a few things you can do:

• Choose north-facing blocks for better solar gain
• Ask about solar panels, EV charger readiness, or double-glazing
• Select efficient lighting and appliance options during your consultation

Building a Smarter Home

BASIX might sound like red tape, but in reality, it’s your home’s first step toward being smarter, more affordable to run, and kinder to the environment.
At Casaview Homes, we don’t just build beautiful homes—we build homes that are designed for better living, today and tomorrow.