FirstRate5 v5.5.5 (3.22) is now available as a free download from www.fr5.com.au.

Sustainability Victoria (SV) recommends that all users upgrade to this version. FR5 v5.5.5 (3.22) contains the following changes: 

• The new FirstRate5 Licence Agreement (effective 1 May 2024) has been included with the installer. Refer to the news story on the FirstRate5 website for further information about the new Licence Agreement.
• The ‘User Acknowledgement’ checkboxes on the Project Tab have been updated to align with the conditions of our software accreditation.
• Additional alternative climate zones have been added for postcodes 2329, 2336, 2337, 2338, 2339, 2341, 2342, 2344, 2345, 2346, 2347, 2353, 2380, 2381 and 2382.

Transition arrangements for FR5 v5.5.4 (3.22) & FR5 v5.3.2b (3.21)

Until 15 May 2024 (9am), v5.5.4 (3.22) files will continue to automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website. After this date, v5.5.4 (3.22) files will calculate by special request only.

Until 1 August 2024 (9am), v5.3.2b (3.21) files will continue to automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website. After this date, v5.3.2.b (3.21) files will calculate by special request only.

Please note that SV is waiting on further clarification from the NatHERS Administrator regarding the software transition period relevant for individual states/territories. Once we have this information, the transition period may be adjusted to be based on the state/territory. For example, after 1 August 2024 FR5 v5.3.2b project files with a Victorian address will not automatically calculate, but projects files with a South Australian address will continue to calculate.
 
SV will notify users once SV receives the necessary clarifications. Users can check the NatHERS website for up-to-date information about the NCC 2022 software transitional arrangements. Users should contact NatHERS or the relevant state/territory building authorities if they have further questions.

Note: It is the user’s responsibility to ensure certificates are produced with the appropriate version. If a user chooses to inappropriately use an earlier version of FR5 to produce a certificate, they run the risk that a Building Surveyor will reject the certificate leading to further certificate costs.

Note: Installation of minor releases involving a letter change, eg,  v5.2.10a to v5.2.10b, will by default overwrite the previous version, while major releases involving a number change, eg, v5.2.11 (3.13) to v5.3.0 (3.21), will by default install beside older versions.