Government to tighten data centre efficiency rules

The federal government is set to change energy efficiency rules for data centres that agencies host workloads in from mid-2025.

Under the changes, all companies offering data centre services to the federal government will need a five-star NABERS rating for their facilities.

Currently, a five-star requirement only applies to data centre providers on the new data centre panel, first announced by the Digital Transformation Agency in May.

From July 1 2025, the requirement will also apply to all facilities sourced outside the panel, whether they’re contracted from outside companies or operated by the government.

"Existing data centres run by an entity must obtain a NABERS Energy for Data Centres infrastructure rating,” the strategy states.

There is, however, a potential loophole: “If the facility cannot be improved to meet the five-star rating, the entity should optimise the data centre’s energy efficiency in its setup and operation”.

The change is contained in the government's revised Net Zero in Government Operations strategy [pdf],  a wide-ranging document covering the carbon footprint of Australian Public Service (APS) energy supply, buildings, procurement, vehicles, travel, and ICT.

The strategy said the NABERS rating requirement will also improve access to greenhouse gas reporting from data centre suppliers, by getting more providers to use NABERS-based rating.

The government will be watching the change in NABERS users between January 2024 and July 2026.