From 1st May 2008 the 5 Star Standard was extended to cover renovations and relocation of existing homes. The new standard does not require a rainwater tank for toilet flushing or a solar hot water system. Minor work that does not require a building permit will not be affected.

With over 40,000 homes anticipated to be renovated, extended or relocated each year, the deemed to satisfy requirement for the building fabric will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions while making each home more comfortable to live in with lower energy costs

Alterations that represent more than 50% of the original building volume (including any alterations carried out in the previous 3 years) require the existing building to be brought up t the same standards as the new construction

Alterations that represent less than 25% of the floor area of the existing building or 1,000 sqaure metres (whichever is lesser) must fully comply with the new standard however the existing building does not

Under Building Regulation 608 (refer to the BCA) there are certain circumstances where the relevant building surveyor has discretion to allow partial compliance.