Lighting Unpacked

Trends, Standards, Challenges

In this quarterly update we will discuss some of the challenges people are facing and new developments that are important to understand —no fluff, just real insights for better lighting outcomes.

 

Fast fashion, but for buildings?

We’re used to hearing about fast fashion and its environmental impact—but the same mindset has crept into building products. Lighting included. Take office panels that look great on day one, but two years later? They’re yellowing, flickering, or failing. That’s not just a poor investment—it’s a sustainability problem. More waste, more cost, and less trust in the process.

Despite national target to reduce waste by 10% per capita by 2030—waste is still rising. One key reason is the prevalence of throwaway design and short-term thinking. As MRA Consulting points out, the solution isn’t just about better recycling—it’s about designing products thoughtfully, so they don’t become waste prematurely. 

The cost difference between a product that lasts just 2–3 years and one designed to last over 10 years is often as little as 20%. At first glance, alternatives – whether it’s a hot water heat pump or a luminaire – might look similar from the outside, but inside, the quality of components is vastly different, resulting in significant differences in operational life. 

Many of the cheaper products entering the country are brought in as one-offs, with no spare parts and no ability to repair them. When they fail, landfill is the only option. 

In many cases, the cost of labour outweighs the cost of the product itself—so that small initial saving quickly becomes a false economy when the product needs replacing just a few years later.

That’s why thinking long-term delivers real value—because quality lighting provides a strong return on investment. In many cases, it pays for itself within 2–3 years and continues saving money through lower maintenance and energy costs.

There’s hope, though. Just as younger generations are rejecting fast fashion in favour of more conscious choices, the same shift is starting to take shape in the built environment—where quality, longevity, and sustainability matter.

Have questions? Talk to us about smarter, sustainable lighting solutions today. 

Old fixtures off to recycling; we don't want this to be the future of LED lighting.

 

"Too bright" "Too dark". Why does this happen?

It’s a complaint we hear often—especially in outdoor environments. Light spilling from streetlights into bedroom windows, uneven coverage on sports fields, or pathways that are bright under the poles but pitch black in between. Sometimes it's a minor irritation. Other times, it’s a serious safety or compliance issue.

There are usually multiple causes—but increasingly, the root problem is clear: lighting upgrades are not being properly designed or in some cases there is no designer involved at all.

Where lighting designers were once an essential part of most projects—often embedded in large building services consultancies—that’s now the exception. In recent years, lighting upgrades are frequently quoted without expert design input.

Lighting designers do far more than just pick a luminaire. They ensure uniformity, reduce obtrusive light, recommend shielding if needed, and advise on colour temperature, CRI, and control options tailored to the space. Even for smaller projects, lighting design represents a fraction of the overall cost—but it’s an essential starting point to ensure the outcome meets everyone's expectations.

To support better outcomes, enLighten offers guides to help contractors and clients select the right products. In many smaller projects, these are sufficient for compliance. But especially for larger outdoor areas, a professional lighting design should always be considered essential.

Partnering with a lighting supplier like enLighten brings added value: integrating design with product selection, customisation options, and smarter control recommendations—right from the start.

Good lighting design can make a space, but great lighting design can transform it.

enLighten lighting design and luminaire schedule.

 

Get access to our ready-made spacing guides. Plus, find other helpful resources - all available in our Secure Zone.

 

Logistics and how they impact product selection

Over the last five years, international shipping has faced multiple disruptions—first COVID, then conflict in the Middle East, and more recently, shifting tariffs. These global events have significantly impacted the cost, reliability, and predictability of freight.

At enLighten, supply chain reliability is a critical factor when selecting and maintaining our product range. Take the much-loved Chamaeleon Deco Charcoal Black—a standout performer in its time. However, with its body manufactured in Italy, delivery timelines and supply reliability became increasingly unmanageable. Eventually, it became clear: we needed a more dependable alternative.

Luminaires rely on components sourced from multiple countries. That means any global disruption can delay production. Since COVID, lead times for non-stocked products have jumped from around 8 weeks to 10–12 weeks.

The Chamaeleon Deco Charcoal Black served its purpose well—but as global supply chains shifted, so did we. To maintain performance and reduce delays, we transitioned to the Chamaeleon Deco 3. Learn more about the Chamaeleon Deco 3 here.

 

We get it—economic pressures are real, and when budgets tighten, upgrades often get pushed down the list. But when lighting systems start to fail or fall short of client’s needs, these delays can become costly.  

Maintaining old systems isn’t always the cheaper option. As older lamps and globes become harder (and more expensive) to source, and access costs—especially for outdoor lights—stack up, repairs can quickly drain resources.

There are better options. We work with organisations that specialise in financing lighting upgrades and offer flexible plans to suit your business. These typically include:

• No upfront capital outlay
• Simple monthly payments
• Plans where repayments are lower than your current energy bills
• Guaranteeing performance for the life of the loan

That means you can upgrade now—improve lighting, reduce energy use, and pay overtime.

Talk to us and we’ll connect you with a trusted provider with a proven track record of delivering smart, affordable lighting upgrades.

 

Lighting Standards: What's changing in the industry?

Lighting in Australia is governed by evolving standards that reflect advances in technology and a deeper understanding of how light affects people, places, and the environment. Here’s a summary of the key regulatory bodies and their roles:

Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)
The ABCB publishes the National Construction Code (NCC) which governs building standards nationwide—the latest version is NCC 2022.

• Section J7 (formerly J6) covers Artificial Lighting
• Section E4 covers Emergency & Exit Lighting. 
  • For a full breakdown of emergency lighting compliance in Australia, see our guide: All you need to know about Emergency Lighting Compliance in Australia.

The NCC is revised every three years. NCC 2025 will bring broad building code changes, but J7 lighting provisions are expected to become less prescriptive regarding controls, rather than introducing major shifts.

Standards Australia
Australian Standards for interior and exterior workplace lighting, roadways and public spaces, sports lighting, emergency and exit lighting, and obtrusive lighting are continually being revised. These updates reflect evolving technologies, greater energy efficiency requirements, and improved metrics like TM30. For a summary of recent changes—including updates to AS 2293 and the shift away from CRI—see our article: What’s New in Indoor Lighting and The Future of Outdoor Lighting.

Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
Through IESANZ (Australia & New Zealand), this global body provides technical benchmarks, particularly in areas not yet covered by Australian Standards. These are frequently referenced by consultants and manufacturers. 

Why it matters: These standards ensure safe, reliable, and efficient lighting—and they’re always changing. We stay on top of them, so you don’t have to.

 

“Walk gently and lightly on your path today. And leave a trail of lights so other may find their way.”