Development Reports

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Section J Reports

A Section J report assesses a building design against relevant energy-efficiency provisions in Section J of the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume One.

Depending on the building and compliance pathway, the assessment may consider the thermal performance of the building fabric, glazing, sealing, air-conditioning and ventilation, artificial lighting and power, heated water systems, energy monitoring and other energy-related requirements.

Section J Report Specialists

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“Section J report” is a commonly used industry term rather than the name of one nationally prescribed NCC document. The scope and format can vary according to the building, project stage, compliance pathway and requirements of the consent or certifying authority.

In the current NCC structure, Section J is the energy-efficiency section of Volume One and contains a series of Parts dealing with Performance Requirements and energy-efficiency provisions.

You may also encounter the phrase “Part J report”. Although this is used informally and appears in search terminology, the current NCC refers to Section J, which is made up of Parts J1 to J9.

The applicable NCC edition also matters. NCC requirements change over time and states and territories determine adoption arrangements. For NSW projects, always confirm which edition and NSW variations apply to the particular project rather than relying on an older online article or report.

When might a Section J report be required?

A separate document described as a “Section J report” is not required for every development application or every building project.

Whether an assessment or report is needed, and at what stage, depends on factors including the building classification, proposed work, applicable NCC requirements, NSW variations, approval pathway and requirements of the relevant consent or certifying authority.

A Section J assessment may be required or useful:

  • During design to determine how the project will satisfy applicable NCC energy-efficiency requirements.
  • Where a consent authority requires a Section J report with a development application.
  • For new non-residential buildings where Section J requirements apply.
  • For certain changes of use.
  • For alterations, additions or fitouts where relevant NCC energy-efficiency provisions apply to the proposed work.
  • Before a Construction Certificate where documentation must demonstrate compliance with applicable NCC requirements.
  • Where the design team needs guidance on building fabric, glazing, sealing, lighting or building-services requirements.
  • Where a Performance Solution or Verification Method is being considered instead of relying entirely on Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions.
  • Where changes to the design require the energy-efficiency assessment to be updated.

City of Sydney provides one practical example. Its current development application document requirements state that a Section J report is to be submitted for an application involving a change of use to, or construction of, a new non-residential building. The council describes the report as demonstrating compliance with NCC energy-efficiency requirements.

Requirements are not identical across all councils or projects, so a City of Sydney requirement should not be presented as a statewide rule.

Published NSW consent conditions also provide examples where a Section J report and design certificate are required before issue of a Construction Certificate.

Not sure which reports apply to your project? See our Development Application Reports Guide.

What does Section J cover?

The applicable requirements depend on the building classification, NSW variations and the particular compliance pathway.

Under the current NCC Volume One structure, Section J includes provisions dealing with areas such as:

  • Energy-efficiency Performance Requirements.
  • Application of energy-efficiency provisions.
  • Thermal performance requirements for relevant Class 2 and Class 4 sole-occupancy units.
  • Building fabric.
  • Building sealing.
  • Air-conditioning and ventilation.
  • Artificial lighting and power.
  • Heated water supply and swimming pool and spa pool plant.
  • Energy monitoring.
  • On-site distributed energy resources.

For a particular project, a Section J assessment may therefore involve review of architectural design as well as information prepared by mechanical, electrical and other building-services consultants.

How can Section J compliance be demonstrated?

The NCC is performance based.

For applicable Section J Performance Requirements, compliance can be demonstrated using a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution, a Performance Solution, or a combination of the two.

A Deemed-to-Satisfy approach follows the relevant prescriptive provisions in Section J.

A Performance Solution uses an alternative approach but must still demonstrate compliance with the applicable Performance Requirements.

Section J also contains recognised Verification Methods that can be used in appropriate circumstances to verify compliance with particular Performance Requirements.

The correct pathway depends on the building and design. A project should not automatically be placed on a modelling-based pathway simply because greater design flexibility is desired.

Section J, J1V3 and the term JV3

You may see energy consultants advertising “JV3 assessments” or “JV3 reports”.

This terminology comes from an earlier NCC numbering system. In NCC 2019, the reference-building Verification Method was identified as JV3. In NCC 2022, the corresponding Verification Method is J1V3.

For this reason, “JV3” is still widely used as an industry and search term even though J1V3 is the current NCC 2022 reference.

J1V3 is a Verification Method that uses computer modelling to compare the proposed building with a reference building based on the Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions.

Under NCC 2022, J1V3 can be used for specified building classifications and common areas of Class 2 buildings to verify compliance with the relevant energy-use Performance Requirement. The method includes requirements concerning greenhouse-gas emissions, thermal comfort, modelling assumptions and additional provisions.

It should not be described simply as a more flexible version of a standard Section J report. It is a specific NCC Verification Method with prescribed requirements.

How does Section J interact with BASIX in NSW?

For NSW residential development, the relationship between Section J and BASIX can be more complex than simply choosing one system or the other.

BASIX applies to relevant NSW residential development, including particular Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4 buildings. NSW variations to the NCC also affect how Section J energy-efficiency provisions apply to these building classes.

For Class 2 buildings and Class 4 parts of buildings, the applicable Section J provisions can depend on matters including the BASIX certificate version and the type of development.

NSW Planning guidance specifically explains that NCC energy-efficiency provisions and BASIX requirements need to be read together for relevant residential development.

For this reason, do not assume that a generic commercial-style Section J report is the correct energy-compliance document for a residential project in NSW.

Who typically prepares a Section J report?

Section J assessments are commonly offered by building-energy, sustainability and ESD consultants, as well as some building-services engineers and building-code consultancies.

The appropriate professional depends on the complexity of the project and the compliance pathway being used.

For example, a relatively straightforward Deemed-to-Satisfy assessment may require a different skill set from a project using detailed energy modelling or a Performance Solution.

There is no single universal job title that guarantees a consultant is appropriate for every type of Section J assessment.

Before engaging a provider, check:

  • Their experience with your building classification and project type.
  • The specific Section J provisions they will assess.
  • Whether they prepare Deemed-to-Satisfy assessments, modelling-based assessments or both.
  • Their experience with the applicable NCC edition and NSW variations.
  • Whether the approval or certification process imposes any particular professional or documentation requirements.

What to consider when choosing a Section J consultant

Start by establishing what your architect, BCA consultant, registered certifier, council or other project adviser actually requires.

It is worth checking:

  • Whether the consultant regularly works with your building classification and project type.
  • Which NCC edition and state variations apply to the assessment.
  • Whether the proposed approach is Deemed-to-Satisfy, a Performance Solution or a combination.
  • Whether reference-building modelling such as J1V3 is actually required or appropriate.
  • What architectural drawings and specifications are required.
  • Whether mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or other building-services information needs to be supplied.
  • Whether glazing calculations and façade-performance information are included.
  • Whether lighting and power requirements are within the consultant’s scope.
  • Whether mechanical-services efficiency is being assessed by the same consultant or coordinated with another engineer.
  • Whether design revisions are included in the quoted scope.
  • Whether the consultant will provide documentation suitable for the relevant approval or certification stage.
  • Whether later design changes could require the assessment or report to be updated.

Engaging the consultant early enough for the findings to influence the design can be useful. If the assessment is completed only after architectural and services documentation is finalised, compliance issues may require more significant redesign.

Related terms and services

Depending on the consultant, project and NCC edition, you may encounter:

  • Section J report
  • Section J assessment
  • Section J compliance report
  • Section J energy-efficiency report
  • Part J report
  • NCC energy-efficiency report
  • BCA Section J
  • Section J consultant
  • Energy-efficiency consultant
  • ESD consultant
  • Deemed-to-Satisfy assessment
  • Performance Solution
  • J1V3 assessment
  • JV3 assessment
  • Reference-building modelling
  • Building fabric assessment
  • Glazing assessment
  • Energy modelling
  • BASIX

These terms are not necessarily interchangeable.

In particular:

  • “Part J report” is an informal term rather than the current NCC section name.
  • “JV3” refers to the earlier NCC 2019 numbering of the reference-building Verification Method; NCC 2022 uses J1V3.
  • J1V3 is one possible Verification Method and should not be treated as synonymous with every Section J assessment.
  • BASIX is a separate NSW sustainability scheme that interacts with NCC energy-efficiency requirements for relevant residential development.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Section J report?

A Section J report is an industry term for documentation assessing a building design against applicable energy-efficiency requirements in Section J of NCC Volume One.

The content depends on the building and compliance pathway and may address building fabric, glazing, sealing, building services, lighting and other relevant energy-efficiency provisions.

There is not one nationally prescribed document format universally called a “Section J report”.

What is Section J of the NCC?

Section J is the energy-efficiency section of NCC Volume One.

It contains the Performance Requirements and associated provisions relating to the energy performance of relevant Class 2 to 9 buildings.

The current structure includes Parts J1 through J9 covering matters such as building fabric, sealing, air-conditioning and ventilation, artificial lighting and power, heated water systems, energy monitoring and distributed energy resources.

Is Section J the same as Part J?

Not technically.

In the current NCC, the official heading is Section J — Energy efficiency.

Section J is then divided into Parts J1 through J9.

“Part J” is still sometimes used informally by businesses and people searching for energy-compliance services, which is why you may encounter both terms online.

Do I need a Section J report for a development application?

Not always.

Whether one must accompany a development application depends on the development and requirements of the relevant consent authority.

City of Sydney, for example, currently requires a Section J report for applications involving a change of use to, or construction of, a new non-residential building.

Other councils may have different requirements. Always check the requirements applying to the specific development.

Is Section J only for commercial buildings?

No.

Section J is contained in NCC Volume One, which covers Class 2 to 9 buildings.

However, how the provisions apply varies according to building classification and jurisdiction.

In NSW, BASIX and NSW-specific NCC variations are particularly important for relevant residential buildings, including Class 2 buildings and Class 4 parts of buildings.

What is a JV3 report?

“JV3 report” is an industry term that generally refers to an energy-modelling assessment using the NCC reference-building Verification Method historically identified as JV3.

Under NCC 2022, the corresponding Verification Method is J1V3.

J1V3 compares the proposed building against a reference building based on Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions and has prescribed modelling and performance requirements.

Is J1V3 the only way to comply with Section J?

No.

Section J can be satisfied using applicable Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions, a Performance Solution, or a combination of compliance approaches.

J1V3 is one Verification Method that may be used in suitable circumstances to demonstrate compliance with a particular Performance Requirement.

It should not automatically be assumed to be the correct or necessary pathway for every project.

What does a Section J consultant need from me?

The exact requirements vary, but the consultant may need:

  • Architectural plans.
  • Building classification and project information.
  • Site and orientation information.
  • Wall, roof and floor construction details.
  • Insulation specifications.
  • Window and glazing schedules.
  • Mechanical-services information.
  • Lighting documentation.
  • Electrical or hydraulic information where relevant.
  • Other consultant documentation affecting the assessment.

The more developed the design becomes, the more detailed the information required may be.

Ask the consultant for a project-specific information checklist before commissioning the assessment.

When should a Section J assessment be completed?

The ideal timing depends on the approval pathway and project.

For projects where Section J requirements could materially influence façade design, glazing, insulation, mechanical systems or lighting, obtaining advice during design can help avoid major changes later.

Where a report is required as part of an approval or certification application, it must also be completed in time to meet that authority’s submission requirements.

Which NCC edition applies to my project?

Do not assume the newest published NCC edition automatically applies.

States and territories determine adoption timing, and transitional rules can also affect individual projects.

As of 2026, NSW Government has announced that NSW will adopt NCC 2025 on 1 May 2027. Until then, current NSW requirements and transitional arrangements should be checked for the particular project.

NCC and NSW guidance and sources

Energy-efficiency requirements depend on the building classification, applicable NCC edition, jurisdiction and project. Always confirm the requirements applying to the particular development.

  • Australian Building Codes Board — Section J: Energy efficiency

    Official NCC provisions showing the current structure and subject matter of Section J. View NCC Section J

  • Australian Building Codes Board — J1V3 Verification using a reference building

    Official NCC guidance explaining the reference-building Verification Method currently numbered J1V3 and previously numbered JV3 in NCC 2019. View J1V3 guidance

  • NSW Government — How to comply with the National Construction Code

    Current NSW guidance on NCC application, NSW variations and adoption of NCC editions. View NSW guidance

  • City of Sydney — Check the document requirements for your planning application

    Provides a current NSW council example of when a Section J report is required with a development application. View City of Sydney requirements

  • NSW Planning — Guidance Material: National Construction Code and BASIX

    Explains the interaction between NCC energy-efficiency provisions, NSW variations and BASIX for relevant residential development. View NSW Planning guidance