Frequently Asked Questions

A Development Application (DA) is a formal application for development that requires assessment and development consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This approval is for more complex developments that don’t qualify for Exempt Development or Complying Development. It is usually submitted to your local council and consists of standard application forms, supporting technical reports and plans.

If consent is granted for your development, a schedule of conditions will be issued with the notice of determination. The development consent is provided subject to conditions and these conditions must be complied with. The conditions should be read in conjunction with the stamped approved plans.

Once development consent (DA) is granted, a Construction Certificate is required to be obtained prior to the commencement of building works. Ridge Building Certifiers can issue a Construction Certificate after plans and specifications of the proposed works have been assessed to comply with Building Code of Australia and conditions of the development consent have been satisfied.

This video by NSW Department of Planning and Environment briefly explains the Development Application process, including obtaining a Construction Certificate.

A Complying Development Certificate is a combined planning and construction approval available for clients who want to build new single or two storey home, renovate your existing home, dual occupancies, add a granny flat, garage or a swimming pool. The Complying Development approval is fast tracked approval which does not require a development application at your local council. The Complying Development approval is issued from our office when the proposed development meets the NSW Government’s criteria and complies with the Building Code of Australia. If you require further information, please visit State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Codes) 2008.

This video by NSW Department of Planning and Environment briefly explains Complying Development.

Before any work can commence on your site, you must appoint a Principal Certifier (PC).
The main roles of the PCA are to:

1. Ensure compliance with the development consent and the construction certificate or the complying development certificate;
2. Ensure compliance with all development conditions;
3. Ensure compliance with the Building Code of Australia;
4. Carry out all the required inspections associated with the building works;
5. Issue the occupation certificate when all works are completed to a satisfactory standard.

An occupation certificate gives approval to use or occupy a building (or other structure) in conjunction with the development consent or a complying development certificate. When a development or work is completed several contractor certificates will need to be provided to verify that certain parts of the building are compliant with the BCA and Australian Standards.

An Application for Occupation Certificate is required to be submitted for assessment prior to approving occupation/use of the approved development. (This is part of the standard package of certification offered by Ridge Building Certifiers).

Critical Stage Inspections are mandatory and ensure that the building works on site are compliant with the Development Consent. There are numerous inspections that are required to occur throughout the building project stages including: footings prior to pouring concrete, framing, waterproofing, stormwater and final inspection.

We recommend you liaise with your builder to ensure the works to be inspected are complete prior to contacting the office to book the inspection. Our accredited certifiers will provide a written report following each inspection to confirm the compliance or the requirements to achieve compliance.

Long Service Levy is a NSW Government fee, payable for building and construction projects costing $25,000 and above (inclusive of GST) and is payable online. The levy is paid into a fund administered by the Long Service Corporation, and from this fund, the Corporation makes long service payments to building and construction workers. For owner builders you may be entitled to a refund up to 50% after the levy is paid in full.

It is a requirement of the EP & A Regs 2000 and Home Building Act 1989 for a contract of insurance to be in force before any building work authorised to be carried out by the consent commences.

The Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) provides a safety net for home owners in NSW faced with incomplete and defective building work carried out by a builder or tradesperson.

Licensed contractors that take on residential work over $20,000 need insurance cover through HBCF. They must obtain this cover before starting any work or taking any money under the contract, including the deposit.

An owner-builder is someone who can do ‘owner-builder work’ under a permit issued by NSW Fair Trading. An owner-builder permit is for people who have the skill or capacity to build their own house or supervise construction work. While an owner-builder permit is not a builder’s licence, as an owner-builder, you are responsible for the building work as a fully licensed builder would be.

An application for an Owner Builder Permit may only be submitted to the Office of Fair Trading once a DA has been approved or Complying Development Certificate has been issued. You are required to provide the Certifier with a copy of the Owner Builder Permit at least 2 days prior to commencing works. For further information relating to Owner Builder Permits click here.

Please find below detailed flow diagrams of the development approval process. If you have any questions about the Building Approval process, call us on 0423 878 620.