Applications to open your home have closed.
Tickets are now on sale!! Grab yours here
What kind of homes do we look for?
We look for real homes with real stories. Architect-designed sustainable builds, thoughtful retrofits, all-electric upgrades, passive solar homes, apartments made cooler and more efficient, low-impact material renovations, climate-resilient rebuilds, and homes just beginning their sustainability journey. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, in the city or regional Australia, in a house or apartment, what matters most is that you’ve made intentional changes and are willing to share what you did, what worked and what you’d do differently. Sustainable House Day is not about perfect homes. It’s about practical action that inspires others to take their next step.
Criteria for homes
- No display homes
- New builds must be all electric
- Retrofit on committed pathway to getting off gas
- Homes under construction can be online only
- Does not have to be a fully sustainable home – an amazing, sustainable kitchen would be a great tour. 2027
How to apply for 2027
Step 1: Create your home’s profile via our application on the website
Just fill out a simple online form (released 3 months before the next event) where you:
- Tell the story of your home
- Share key sustainability features and lessons learned
- Upload photos and video if you have one.
Choose your open house sessions and how many people you want to come.
Step 2: Choose how you’d like to participate (also on the application form)
As part of the same application, you can choose to:
- IN PERSON: Open your home in person on the day (with scheduled tour times), or
- ONLINE ONLY: Feature your home online only, with a profile, lots of photos, and an optional video.
If showing in person, choose which sessions and how many people can come.
- Open House Session Times
- 9:30 -10:30am, 11-12pm, 1-2pm, 2:30-3:30pm (Note that these times will be listed in your local timezone.)
- How many visitors can you host per tour?
- 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
- 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
This information becomes your online house profile, which visitors explore before and after the event. If you have your photos and description of your house ready, this should take 10-15 mins.
Step 3: About the video (optional but encouraged)
- You’ll also be invited to include a short video walkthrough of your home. This can be simple and informal — filmed on a phone is fine. We’ll share tips and guidance to make this easy.
- Videos enable your story to reach people who can’t attend in person and serve as a long-term learning resource.
Step 4: Once approved, help spread the word!
Once your home is approved by our team, it will be listed on the website.
We will send you flyers for your neighbours and local cafes etc, post on social media (everything you’ll need is here, ask your friends to show their houses and buy tickets! You could also contact us with your local media and community groups.
Step 5: Prepare your house
Come to a homeowner prep session, print your RSVP list (we will send it to you), prepare your house, put up the signs so people know where to go!
Step 6: Welcome visitors on the day (if opening in person)
If you’re hosting in person, visitors book tickets and time slots through the Sustainable House Day system. This keeps tours manageable and ensures a safe, supported experience.
Step 7: Join the Online Q&A Month (optional)
After Sustainable House Day, you can choose to take part in a one-month online Q&A. Visitors ask follow-up questions on your home’s profile, and you reply when it suits you. This is a low-pressure way to extend the impact of your participation.
FAQs
I’ve submitted an application but haven’t heard back. What should I do?
You should receive an automated confirmation email when you submit your application. Please check your spam or junk folder and make sure you selected “submit” rather than “save and continue”.
If you still can’t find it, email shd@renew.org.au with the subject line Help find my application and include your house title.
How do I open my home for Sustainable House Day?
Applications for our 2026 event have closed.
When do homeowner applications close?
Applications for our 2026 event have closed.
What’s involved if I open my home?
All participating homes will have an online profile outlining their sustainability features and story on our website. Many homes also include a short video tour.
If you choose to open your home in person:
- You’ll be available on Sustainable House Day
- You’ll nominate tour times and group sizes
- At least two people should be present to welcome visitors and manage check-ins
Renew provides clear guidance, resources, and support throughout the process.
Some homeowners may also be invited to take part in webinars or opt to join the online Q&As after the event.
Do I need to resubmit my house profile if I’ve participated before?
Yes. We have changed our website and application system you will need to apply again. Sorry!
How will I know if my house has been accepted?
All applications are reviewed by a selection panel. You’ll be notified of the outcome by email once the review process is complete. We aim to process all applications within a week.
I need help creating my house tour video.
Your video doesn’t need to be polished or professionally produced. A simple, handheld video filmed on your phone is perfect. We love honest walkthroughs that show your home as it really is, with you talking us through what you did, what worked well, and what you learned along the way. Think of it as telling your story to a neighbour rather than creating something for an awards night. Clear audio, natural light, and a steady-ish hand are great, but authenticity matters far more than fancy editing or production values.
Will my address be published publicly?
No. Your exact address is never published on the website. Only your suburb and state are shown publicly. Your address is shared privately with ticket-holders attending your in-person tours.
How do I see who’s attending my house tours?
You will be sent a list of RSVPs for your home tours the week before the event.
I’m a bit nervous about inviting strangers into my home. How do you help keep Sustainable House Day safe for homeowners?
That’s completely understandable. Sustainable House Day is built on trust and community, and we take homeowner safety seriously.
All visitors must register and purchase a ticket to attend. We collect contact details for every ticket holder, including name, email address and phone number, and all visitors are required to check in on the day. This means we know who is attending and can follow up if needed.
We have clear expectations for visitor behaviour and systems in place to support homeowners if any concerns arise. Many homeowners also choose to limit access to certain areas of their home, remove valuables, or have a friend or neighbour present on the day for extra peace of mind.
Most importantly, Sustainable House Day attracts people who are genuinely interested in learning and sharing. The vast majority of visits are respectful, positive and rewarding experiences for homeowners.
If you have specific concerns, our team is always happy to talk them through with you and help you decide what feels right for your home.
