Construction Certificate

A Construction Certificate must be obtained before any building work commences, it’s your approval to start construction, verifying that:

  • The construction plans and specifications of the development are consistent with the development consent and complies with the Building Code of Australia
  • All required development contributions and fees have been paid.
  • All development consent conditions that must be satisfied before a Construction Certificate can be issued have been met.

Your Construction Certificates application must be accompanied with:

  • Plans drawn to scale 1:100 or 1:200, fully dimensioned and showing North Point
  • Locality Plan
  • Site Plan
  • Elevations
  • BASIX Certificate, if required (BASIX commitments must be identified on the plans)
  • Floor Plan (existing and proposed works shown separately)
  • Sectional Plans (indicating detailed construction)
  • Specifications
  • Structural or Civil Engineers designed drawings and Certificate of Compliance
  • Hydraulic Design (larger residential, commercial, and industrial developments)

To lodge your Construction Certificate application with us, you will need to apply online though the NSW Planning Portal.

It’s important to understand that a Construction Certificates cannot be issued retrospective of the work and penalties may apply for unauthorised building works.

Once we've issued a Construction Certificate, we’ll need to undertake inspections of the works at stages detailed in your certificate.

PCA Appointment

In addition to lodging your Construction Certificate you are required to complete a PCA Appointment thought the NSW Planning Portal this can be done at the same time the Construction Certificate application is made.

Portal fees

In accordance with the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, applicants are required to pay a digital application processing fee for certain planning applications and certificates.

A full list of fees can be found on the NSW Planning Portal Service Fees page.

Notification of Commencement of Building Works

You’ll need to let us know when you plan to commence building works at least 2 business days prior. Simply complete and return to us the Notice of Commencement of Building Work form issued with your Construction Certificate.

Occupation Certificates

Once all inspections have taken place as outlined in your Construction Certificate, confirming the works have been completed as per the plans, you’ll need to obtain an Occupation Certificate to occupy the building (or other structure).

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