Construction CertificateS

Construction Certificates are required following approval of a DA from Council or the Land and Environment Court before construction can begin. Building Certificates Australia staff have unrestricted accreditation to assist our clients with issuing Construction Certificates for any kind of development in Australia.

Our services include:

  • Reviewing of plans and documentation for compliance with the requirements of the National Construction Code of Australia (BCA).

  • Reviewing of Development Consent notice and preparation of a comprehensive checklist of items to be addressed for Construction Certificate issue (relevant stages will be identified if staged applications are to be made).

  • Satisfying ourselves that all compliance and consent conditions (as applicable) have been addressed.

  • Attending project co-ordination meetings with the consultant team, as required.

  • Satisfying ourselves that all monies payable to Council and/or other authorities, e.g.: insurances, bonds, deposits, levies and other fees (all as outlined in the DA consent) have been paid.

  • As a Registered Certifier (RC) undertaking the required pre-approval site inspection.

  • Issuing of a Construction Certificate, in accordance with Part 6 of the EP & A Act 1979.

  • Issuing of a schedule of proposed Fire Safety Measures.

  • Uploading a copy of the Construction Certificate to the NSW Planning Portal within (2) two days.

Principal Certifier (PC)

Before you start any approved building or construction work, you must appoint a Principal Certifier (PC), once you've been issued with a construction certificate or complying development certificate.

The PC oversees the development’s construction phase and completes mandatory building inspections, known as critical stage inspections, to make sure that building standards are met. Once building work has finished, the PC will complete final inspections and issue the Occupation Certificate, if all requirements have been satisfied.

Building Certificates Australia staff have unrestricted accreditation levels, and can act as your Principal Certifier for any type of Development.

This includes: 

  • Attending project coordination meetings with the consultant team, as required.

  • Undertaking periodic site inspections, (including prescribed mandatory inspections).

  • General reviewing of certification from relevant engineers, consultants, etc., that all works are constructed to approved drawings and relevant standards and satisfy all appropriate consent conditions.

  • Determination and issue of an Occupation Certificate (Part, Partial or Whole) in accordance with the provisions of Part 6 of the EP & A Act

Complying Development Certificate

Complying development is a fast-track approval process for straightforward residential, commercial and industrial development. If the application meets specific criteria, it can be determined and approved as Complying Development.

Building Certificates Australia staff are accredited to issue Complying Development Certificates for any specified Complying Development in NSW (where the necessary development standards are satisfied).

This includes:

  • Reviewing of plans and documentation for compliance with the requirements of the National Construction Code of Australia (BCA).

  • Preparation and issue of a checklist addressing all documents required for our assessment.

  • Reviewing Council’s and other Authorities requirements (as applicable).

  • Satisfy ourselves that all monies payable to council and/or other authorities, e.g. insurances, bonds, deposits, levies and other fees have been paid.

  • As a Registered Certifier (RC), undertaking the required pre-approval site inspection.

  • Determination and issuance of a Complying Development Certificate.

  • Issuing of a Schedule of proposed Fire Safety Measures.

  • Uploading a copy of the Complying Development Certificate documentation to the NSW Planning Portal within (2) two days.  

Occupation Certificate

An Occupation Certificate is issued by the Principal Certifier (PC) following completion of approved building (or other) works, and gives approval to use or occupy a building (or other structure) in conjunction with the development consent or a complying development certificate.

Building Certificates Australia staff are accredited to issue Occupation Certificates for any type of development, where they are appointed Principal Certifier (PC).

Crown Developments

When a state crown agency carries out building works, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act requires that they must be 'certified by or on behalf of the Crown to comply with the technical provisions of the State's building laws'.

Building Certificates Australia staff have unrestricted accreditation levels, and can issue Crown Certificates and conduct building inspections for Crown agencies, for any type of Crown Development.

This includes: 

  • Undertaking a BCA Assessment of the concept design and provide a BCA Report under the Deemed to satisfy provisions of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

  • Preparing a BCA Compliance Report based on the architectural documentation pursuant to Sec 109R of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 relating to Crown Certification.

  • The Compliance Report will identify any areas of non-compliance with the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the BCA and provide recommendations for Alternative Solutions where deemed appropriate.

  • Liaising with the Fire Safety Engineer to discuss possible Fire Engineered Alternative Solutions.

  • Attending project co-ordination meetings with the consultant team, as required.

  • Issuing proposed Schedule of Fire Safety Measures.

  • Undertaking a Final Inspection of the completed project and provide a Final Compliance Report relating to Crown Certification.  

WHAT CERTIFIERS DO

For more information on what we do as Registered Certifiers, please visit the following link to NSW Government website - https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/appointing-a-certifier/what-certifiers-do