I would move the garage to the other side. It is blocking some northern sun where it is.

What's your climate? I'm not sure I understand your reference to "north facing"? If you are in a climate where being north facing is valuable in winter for energy efficiency that plan won't work. If you are in a mostly hot climate you don't want the sun warming the house so planning for adequate shade especially on the east and west is important.

Is it possible to post an easier to read plan? The black background and yellow slashes are confusing and the relevant details are hard to see.

Others will have more in-depth comments but what strikes me is the entry to the main bedroom. You have to have the doors closed to use the passage and to get in the room requires juggling yourself and the doors. Disappointing that a professional has drawn that for you.

Thanks for all comments, we are Northern suburbs of South Australia.

Unfortunately the garage cannot be moved due to Encumbrances, and is set by the developer.

I have moved the entry to more of a nook entry as I didn't like the idea of double doors by the dining table ὠ5

With my design example posted. Still have your garage on the north corner, if that is where it has to be. And put other rooms on the west corner with appropriate external shading. Your design posted is going to be very dark internally. Unless you are going to install skylights at extra cost. If not, there will be lots of lights being turned on and off, in the rumpus, the kitchen, the
Laundry, the workshop... Why does the outdoor space have to be at the back of the block???
The main bedroom ensuite has so much wasted space, the rumpus room is a hallway to every where else.

I know Adelaide can get very hot in summer, but you use heating in winter, yes?

I regularly see questions about 'north facing' builds. I don't think I've seen many that are described 'east facing' or 'west facing' or 'south facing', unless it's a preamble to something like 'but that's where the views are'. So 'north facing' seems to be considered noteworthy, but I have to ask why? Are north facing blocks being sold as desirable?

I would say that a house needs to built with correct orientation no matter what the "facing is". North is where the winter sun is so it heats your home up without using a heater constantly. if you face west you get the hot afternoon sun in summer.

so ideally a rectangle block with the short ends east and west, and the long sides north and south. But developers cram as much as they can into their developments, so the perfect block is not always able to be purchased. but if on a acreage, then you should build to the views and facing north, always depending on climate as well.

I would say that a block that has the front door facing north, is not as desirable as a back living area facing north.

in this particular case, it is a shame that the garage is in the prime solar passive position.

Yes I would think North facing is the worst option to have.
This article is useful with reference to the street frontage:

https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation

your plan is difficult to understand and not sure if i've included everything something like this might be suitable

"North facing floor plan with rear living" and "as energy efficient as possible"

North facing block and north facing plan are not necessarily the same thing. An average north facing block of land is not ideal for an efficient north facing plan. The garage typically wastes much of the northern orientation. The narrow width of the block might further limit solar access. And there might be rules about street facing solar panels. Are agents confused about how north-facing works when they sell those challenging blocks or are they simply failing to mention the drawbacks?

Can you flip the driveway as suggested, so you can make better use of the north?

Hi all, thanks for all the comments  I have since found we could move the driveway and garage  just wodnering if that really changes things with the plan and layout - thoughts?

You said you want to make the house as energy efficient as possible. Having the street to the north has nothing to do with energy efficiency. It is the north-facing windows that make the difference. So yes, at the moment your garage faces north and that is something worth trying to improve.

Dave, I would say it certainly does. If you put the garage on the west corner, it will block the summer sun, which is good. And then you can have all your living areas on the north to north east boundaries, your home will be full of light and be a lot more pleasant to live in.

Example of my thoughts. This example would be flipped for your land.

Or this with all bedrooms receiving the northern sun light as well.

similar plan with garage on the western side