Building Application Process

 

For an immediate response you can email Compass Designs from here.

Alternatively contact us on 1300 586 639  or 0404 461 061

 

1. Discuss your project with a building designer (architect, builder or drafts person) and look at the overall concept of the project in terms of design & lifestyle aspects, cost effectiveness,  selection of building materials & duration of the project

2. Engage a surveyor after engaging your designer so you can request from the surveyor relevant data.

3. Engage a structural engineer to specify all structural aspects of your building project.  You may also need to consider a specialist engineer who provides reports in relationship to soil (regarding foundations) water treatment systems, water services or fire services.

4. In the instance you might be considering building outside the scope of the normal guidelines as set by council you might need to engage a town planner, architect or consultant (such as roads authority) to do so. This can be quite a lengthy and involved process. Please contact us if you think this may be the case.

5. Confirm a builder or obtain an owner builders license.

The Process (Class 1 Building) Residential

In order to obtain an approval to build you will need to engage:-

1.      Building Designer, Architect or Draughtsperson.

2.      Surveyor

3.      Soil test consultant

4.      Engineer  (Structural)

5.      Engineer (Hydraulics – Qld)

6.      Town Planner (DA application in Qld)

7.      Energy efficiency consultant (Qld)

8.      BASix report consultant (NSW)

Bush fire and waste management reports are usually required for rural properties.

Applications must meet  the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the relevant Australian Standards (AS)

For specific state process for Qld or NSW click on the relevant state.

Qld specific process

 There are two main applications:-

1.      DA – Design Approval

2.      BA – Building Approval

The DA (Design Approval) is usually required only for code relaxations, review committees, character code areas, duplex developments, corner sites and requests outside the standard set guidelines.

The BA (Building Approval) is the authority to build and will require the working drawings and all relevant reports.

Prior to a BA being issued you will require builders BSA licence number or an Owner Builders Licence number.

NSW specific process

There are two main applications:-

1.      DA – Development Application

2.      CC – Construction Certificate

The DA (Development Application). As of 28 February 2009 the NSW government has streamlined application for a 10-14 day turn around. All applications in NSW require a BASix certificate which takes into account water usage, energy efficiency and thermal ratings.

The CC (Construction Certificate) Once the DA has been issued application can be made for a CC to build in accordance with the DA.  The issued certificate is the authority to start construction.