What Is BESS? Victoria's Sustainability Scorecard

Short answer: the council-made scorecard behind most SDAs and SMPs.

BESS assists builders and developers to show how a proposed development demonstrates sustainable design at the planning permit stage. It is free for planning permit applicants; councils fund it through subscriptions.

Who runs it.

The Municipal Association of Victoria owns BESS. The Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) operates it on behalf of its member councils. CASBE says it is used by over 35 municipalities.

BESS is the recommended tool under CASBE's Sustainable Buildings Framework, which supports the councils' local ESD policies.

Two tools.

BESS Buildings

Released in 2015. For development on a lot: houses, townhouses, apartments, commercial, industrial and mixed use.

BESS Subdivisions

Released in October 2025, for residential subdivisions from 3 lots up to 250 and more, where the application creates lots rather than buildings.

The categories.

BESS's tool notes list nine categories, each weighted into the overall score:

Management
Water
Energy
Stormwater
Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ)
Transport
Waste
Urban Ecology
Innovation

Energy carries the largest weighting. Innovation only counts once a project reaches 50% from the other categories.

What the score means.

50% is best practice

BESS defines best practice as an overall score of 50% or higher, and excellence as 70% or higher.

Four categories have their own pass marks

Water, Energy and IEQ at 50%, and Stormwater at 100%. The BESS FAQ notes the mandatory minimums add up to only 40% overall, so the last 10% comes from other categories.

What you need to run one.

Town planning drawings, elevations and sections.
The major construction materials.
Thermal performance and stormwater modelling results.
The building's context and surrounding built form.
Expected efficiency of heating, cooling and hot water, and WELS ratings for taps and toilets.
Any solar, rainwater tanks, landscaping and bicycle facilities.

The BESS FAQ strongly recommends a preliminary NatHERS assessment before lodging for a planning permit, because orientation, glazing and materials drive the energy result.

How it fits an SDA or SMP.

The published BESS report is the core of most SDAs and SMPs. The written report then explains the commitments and where they appear on the drawings. Published reports can be viewed by the council the site is in.

Sources: BESS, About, Planning system, FAQ and tool notes on scoring; CASBE, Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard and Sustainable Buildings Framework. General information, not an assessment of any particular site.

Common questions

Is BESS free?

Yes.

BESS is provided free of charge to planning permit applicants.

Councils cover the running costs through subscriptions to CASBE.

What BESS score do I need?

BESS defines best practice as 50% overall, with minimum scores in Water, Energy, Stormwater and IEQ.

Some councils' policies may ask for more, so check the council's request.

Do I need a BESS-trained professional?

It is not compulsory.

BESS recommends one for large or complex projects.

Is BESS the same as a NatHERS rating?

No.

NatHERS rates a home's thermal performance for the building permit.

BESS scores the whole development's sustainable design at the planning permit stage, and uses energy results as one input.

Need an SDA or SMP?

For developers, town planners and designers of townhouses, units and apartments: the SDA with the BESS report within 48 hours, or an SMP for larger sites.

See the service

What is BESS?