All energy rating software used to produce NatHERS Universal Certificates must be accredited in accordance with the NatHERS Software Protocol.

The NatHERS Software Accreditation Protocol outlines the requirements and processes for the accreditation of new software tools and for updates to new versions of previously accredited tools. This ensures that software tools meet standard requirements and produce consistent results in the assessment of energy loads and when rating houses.

There are currently four accredited software tools, these are:

• AccuRate Sustainability – Owned and maintained by CSIRO
• BERS Pro – Owned and maintained by Energy Inspection
• FirstRate5 – Owned and maintained by Sustainability Victoria
• Hero – Owned and maintained by Hero Software.