Construction Certificates

In addition to obtaining development consent, if you are undertaking any building or structural work, you will need to obtain a Construction Certificate.

Construction certificates replaced Building applications following amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, in July of 1999.

A Construction Certificate certifies that the construction plans and specifications for the development are consistent with the development consent, and comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and all relevant Australian Standards.

Construction Certificate approval is required prior to any works commencing.

Construction Certificates can be obtained from Council or from a small number of appropriately qualified and accredited private individuals, following the issuing of Development Consent by Council.

An Application for Development Consent and Construction Certificate (joint application) may be made to Council. In such an instance time and money can be saved as approval to commence construction can usually be issued at the same time as development consent.

A private certifier is unable to provide this service as he/she is required to reference the Council issued Development Consent prior to issuing of the Construction certificate and, as such cannot issue the construction certificate at the same time as the parent Development Consent (which can only be issued by Council).

Appointment of Principal Certifier and Notification of Commencement of Work

Prior to the commencement of Building works you need to advise Council who will be carrying out the compliance inspections on the property.

Your Development Consent will have a notice of commencement and appointment of principal certifying authority form attached which must by law be filled out and returned to Council 7 days prior to the commencement of building works.