FirstRate5 has been developed by and is owned by Sustainability Victoria, a Victorian Government agency.

FirstRate5 software is free to download to any registered user from our website.

You can register and access the latest version of FirstRate5 in 4 simple steps. 

1. Visit the FirstRate5 website
You can visit www.fr5.com.au to access the latest FirstRate5 news, information about the software, accreditation and to register an account for generating certificates. 

2. Register your account
As a new user to the site you can Register to download the software and produce certificates. You must fill in all the required fields and then select the check box confirming you have read the Terms of Use before clicking Sign Up. 

3. Validate your email address
Once signed up, the system will validate that the email address is active before the newly created account is activated. An account activation email will be sent to your email address. You can open the email and click on the link to activate the account. The system will prompt you, asking whether you would like to go to the home page or login page. 

4. Creating your thermal performance assessor profile
When you register as a thermal performance assessor on the site you are prompted to complete a popup form asking you to fill out the details of your Assessors profile consisting of the following fields: 

a. Accreditation Organisation 
b. Accreditation Number(s)

For each Accreditation Organisation selected, you must supply your Accreditation Number. Only one user can register for each unique accreditation number. You will be prevented from attempts to add an accreditation number to your account that is already in registered to another user.

Thermal performance assessors practicing in states and territories which do not require accreditation can skip this step.

The FirstRate5 software is free to download to any registered user from our website.
From 12 July 2021 (8am AEDT) credits, which can be exchanged for certificates, attract the following fees:

• FirstRate5 Credit $30 (ex GST)

Please note that each credit is valid for 12 months from its date of purchase, unless otherwise stated. Any credits which remain unspent 12 months after their purchase will expire without refund. It is therefore critical that you only purchase as many credits as you will foreseeably use within a 12 month period. Credits are used on an ‘oldest-first’ basis.

The fee per certificate price will be reviewed on an annual basis. 

In accordance with the terms of the Software Licence Agreement, in certain circumstances (as described below), Sustainability Victoria will provide you with limited email support in relation to the FirstRate5 software.

In order to be eligible for this support, you must:
(a) have registered an account on the Thermal Performance Certificates website (which you can do here); and 
(b) have a current balance in your account of at least one Certificate Credit.

If you meet these eligibility criteria, Sustainability Victoria will provide reasonable assistance to you via email only, during Sustainability Victoria's usual business hours, with:
(a) problems or issues relating to the installation of the FirstRate5 software; and
(b) abnormal errors or bugs encountered when using the FirstRate5 software.

This support specifically excludes assistance:
(a) for any versions of the FirstRate5 software other than the most current version;
(b) relating to the normal operation or use of the FirstRate5 software (in respect of which you must consult the software's documentation);
(c) with problems, issues or errors arising from installation or use of the FirstRate5 software in a manner contrary to the software's documentation or otherwise arising from improper use of the FirstRate5 software; or
(d) with hardware, operating systems or third party software.

Sustainability Victoria may vary the basis on which it provides this support, or may terminate the provision of this support entirely, in accordance with the terms of the Software Licence Agreement.

The best way to submit a request for technical support is via the contact form on the FirstRate5 website after you have logged into your online account. Using the online contact form ensures critical information (e.g. software version information) is gathered at the start of your query.

Instructions on how to use the FirstRate5 software is provided through training courses provided by Registered Training Organisations (RTO's). See Accreditation section for details. Please consult your course training manual.

In addition, for advanced modelling situations, we have developed answers to Frequently Asked Questions, see below.

Finally, while software support is not provided by the Assessor Accrediting Organisations ( ABSA, DMN and HERA), they may issue additional modelling guidance and practice notes from time to time.

System requirements for FirstRate5 v5.3.x;

• Windows 10 or 11. Note: Mac OS is not supported.
• Java  11.x.x (64 bit)
• 8 GB RAM or greater recommended
• 200MB disk space
• 1920x1080 resolution with default scaling
• 2GHz or faster processor

Note: Simulation speed is directly influenced by processor speed, the faster, the better. Multiple cores, beyond two, won't help.

Note:  Older versions of FirstRate5 may require Java 8

When you open FirstRate5 the launch screen is displayed until the desktop program opens. If FirstRate5 is stuck on the launch screen and will not open, this may be because of an issue with your anti-virus software categorising FirstRate5 as malicious software. We recommend you contact your anti-virus software provider to implement a fix. 

There are two principal reasons for this:

AFRC Custom Window Libraries
With the introduction of the AFRC Custom Window library, the NatHERS Administrator wanted to ensure that window libraries were updated on a regular basis (at least every 6 months), and that older libraries were taken out of circulation. For this reason, only the latest version of FirstRate5 (with the latest AFRC Custom Window library) calculates automatically on the FirstRate5 website, while legacy versions require approval.

Supported Versions
Software developers have finite resources which can be directed toward developing new functionality, bug fixing and providing technical support to users. These resources would not be effectively utilised if developers were required to support multiple versions concurrently. This is why Sustainability Victoria (SV) concentrates its efforts on the most current version of FirstRate5.

In order to encourage users to upgrade to the current version of FirstRate5, a process is  required. FirstRate5 used to contain an expiry a date in the software after which the software ceased to function. However, this approach did not allow access to legacy versions of the software. The current system of allowing legacy versions to calculate by approval only, ensures users upgrade to the most current version while providing access in limited circumstances to legacy versions.

SV will assess requests for legacy versions on a case by case basis. Typically these will be approved where the assessor confirms the request is required for a legal dispute or a building surveyor has requested the certificate in a legacy version.  SV will require further supporting documentation in order to process the claim.

Note when users upload a project file directly from the desktop and the project file was created in a legacy version of the software the file will automatically run with the latest version of the software.  If you require the project file to be run with a legacy version, you will need to upload via the website and follow the instructions on the screen.

Please note when requesting a legacy certificate, it is the user’s responsibility to ensure certificates are produced with the appropriate version. If a user chooses to use an earlier version of FR5 to produce a certificate, they run the risk that a Building Surveyor will reject the certificate.

The FR5 software manual is a PDF document that can be located by going to Start Menu > Program Files > FirstRate5 > FirstRate5 Manual.

When completing an alteration rating, two certificates will need to be produced one for the existing dwelling and one for the proposed dwelling. With the introduction of 12-month replaceable certificates, provided that the proposed dwelling certificate is issued within 12 months of issuing the certificate for the existing dwelling, users will only need to use one $30 (ex GST) FR5 Credit for each address.

For an alteration rating, simply upload the project file for the existing dwelling and issue the first certificate, and then upload the project file for the proposed dwelling and produce the second certificate. When you produce the certificate for the proposed dwelling you will be prompted to replace the certificate issued for the existing dwelling. It should be noted that you will still have a copy of the existing dwelling certificate, which would have been emailed to you when it was originally issued. 

This approach will allow users to generate the two certificates required for an alteration rating for a total cost of $30 (ex GST).

This training video outlines the process for issuing the two certificates for an alteration rating.

The 12-month replaceable certificate functionality works by comparing the addresses of uploaded files. If the address of a newly uploaded file matches the address of a certificate issued within the last 12 months, the status of the job will be set to ‘ReplacementAvailable’. You will then be able to issue a replacement certificate free of charge.

Sometimes the address for a dwelling might change (e.g. lot number changed to street number) or you might have made a data entry error when entering an address. In these cases, the address specified in an update file won’t match the address specified in a previously issued certificate and the 12-month replaceable certificate functionality will not automatically work.

In this situation, you will need to email the FR5 helpdesk to request a replacement credit. If SV deems that your request is valid, we will notify you by email.

Please note that you must fill out the table below and include it in your helpdesk request (Note - the project with the incorrect address will need to be withdrawn and you will need to upload the project to the portal again with the correct address in the file)

Username
Request Date
Old Certificate Issued Date
Was the Old Certificate Issued within the last 12 months?*	Yes/No
Old Certificate Number
Old Certificate Address
Old Certificate Withdrawn Date
New Certificate Issue Date
New Certificate Number
New Certificate Address

The certificate generation system gives greater security and functionality for software users and includes: 

• Easy to use online certificate generation via our new website at www.fr5.com.au

• Online back-up of files – when you upload a file for assessment, a back-up copy of your file is automatically stored in your account

• Security of certificates – all certificates include a Quick Response (QR) code, providing an easy way for building surveyors to verify certificates.

• Certificates generated as a comprehensive multi-page report, incorporating all of the relevant information of the thermal model.

Projects are modelled on the desktop producing diagnostic information and certificates are generated online at www.fr5.com.au. To generate a certificate, users will need to upload a project file to the FirstRate5 website and purchase credits which can be exchanged for a certificate.

Sustainability Victoria (SV) has added the Re-issue Invoice button to each transaction line in the Credit Usage page of your online account.  Just click and the original email containing the tax invoice will be reissued to the registered email address.

NatHERS requires that project files uploaded with an accompanying NatHERS accreditation number receive a certificate titled Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme NatHERS Certificate. This is in colour and includes the NatHERS and NatHERS Star Rating logos.

Project files uploaded without an accompanying NatHERS accreditation number receive a certificate titled  Residential Energy Rating - Non Accredited. This is in black and white, does not include the NatHERS or NatHERS Star Rating logos, and includes other text changes.

In order to receive a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme NatHERS Certificate it is critical to complete the Assessor Name and NatHERS Accreditation Number fields in the Project tab of FirstRate5.

We recommend that all fields in the Project tab are completed and preview certificates are reviewed thoroughly before certificate purchase.

In certain circumstances, the Net Conditioned Floor Area (NCFA) will not equal the simple addition of the individual zone areas.

 The methodology used to calculate the NCFA has been adjusted to better match Accurate. Under the NatHERS scheme, AccuRate is deemed to be the benchmark software against which all other software is measured in order to achieve NatHERS software accreditation.

The circumstances where the NCFA is not likely to match the addition of individual zone areas include multi level projects with horizontal openings and internal walls which do not line up between levels.

It is important to note that assessments in these circumstances remain fully compliant with the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.
  

The NatHERS Group Certificate is for use with multi-unit developments (Class 2). FirstRate5 provides this at no extra charge. Just follow the steps below:

1. Produce individual certificates to represent all the units in the multi unit development.
2. Click on the View Group Certificates section in your online account.



3. Click on the Produce Group Certificate button.



4. Follow the on screen instructions. First, enter the common dwelling information.



5. Then select the relevant individual certificates to add to the Group Certificate. You have three different ways to select these: by address, by most recently produced certificates, or by manual selection.
 


6. Finally, review the contents of the Group Certificate before clicking on the Produce Group Certificate button.
 

The level of work a thermal performance assessment involves varies with the size and complexity of the dwelling design. So for example a large, bespoke, architectural design will require more time inputting data than an apartment in a repetitive multi-unit development. Thermal performance assessors vary their fee according to the level of work required.

However, the calculations and processes involved in the production of each certificate are the same for each dwelling design regardless of its size and complexity. Additionally, each job is treated equally in terms of system overheads. For these reasons, there is no justification for varying the fee per certificate based on the number of credits purchased.

Yes. Your employees/sub-contractors will need to delegate permission to you. In addition, they should forward the completed project file to you for upload to your account.

The FirstRate5 online secure payment gateway has been designed and implemented to comply with the relevant industry standards (PCI Data Security Standards).

If you choose to pay by credit card, these details will not be retained by our system following the transaction.

Alternatively, if you choose PayPal as your payment method, PayPal will act as an intermediary and the transaction is completed without our system directly seeing your credit card or bank account details.

Please contact the FirstRate5 Helpdesk and Sustainability Victoria will assess this request on a case by case basis.

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FR5 v5.3.1 New Features Overview from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.3.1 Stacked Walls from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.3.1 Heat Map Display from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.3.1 Global Zoning Tab - Design Options Example from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 Portal Replaceable Certificatese from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Replaceable Certificates - Alterations and Additions from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.3.0 - New Features Overview from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.3.0 -Double Height Void Zone from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.2.11 - New Features Overview from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.2.11 - Ceiling Penetration Tool from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 01 - New Features Overview from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 02 - Load backgrounds from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 03 - Dimension Tool and Scaling from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 04 - Snappable Points from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 05 - Switch Background from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 06 - Background Alignment from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 07 - Background Manager from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 08 - Floor Builder - Overview from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 09 - Floor Builder Example - Construction Library Tab from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Firstrate5 v5.2.10 - 10 - Floor Area Tolerance from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/240617621">Split Area Tool Introductory video from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

Split Area Workflow from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.2.0 Project Tab from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.2.0 Wingwalls from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

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FR5 v5.2.0 Windows from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

FR5 v5.2.0 Analytics Tab from FirstRate5 on Vimeo.

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