Building certification process
The following certification process is the final step in ensuring your development complies with legislation, giving you peace of mind and protecting the value of your investment.
You will need to contact a Private Accredited Certifier for your certification needs. The steps below will guide you through this process.
A Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) is the only person or body who can issue occupation certificates. You must appoint your PCA before work commences.
Prior to starting work there are a number of things you need do. They are slightly different from job to job. Details are outlined in your Development Consent or your Complying Development Certificate. Generally you will need to:
- Provide written notice to Council 48 hours prior to starting building work or excavation work - Form 131 - Notice to Council of intention to commence work.
- Install soil erosion and sediment control measures.
- Erect builder's signage.
- Erect construction fencing.
- Install a portable toilet.
- Contact a land surveyor to help set out the development.
Your development will be inspected at critical stages to ensure compliance with your plans. These stages (as applicable to your development) are as follows:
- Post excavation/pre-footings
- Slab
- Framework
- Waterproofing
- Stormwater
- Final
- Bounding construction (generally large development)
- Fire protection (generally large development)
For more information about inspections please visit our Inspections page.
What if a critical stage inspection is missed?
If you miss an inspection you may not be able to obtain an Occupation Certificate unless the missed inspection was considered unavoidable. Clause 162C of the EP&A Regulation addresses critical stage inspections that are missed in circumstances that the PCA considers were unavoidable. There are very few reasons why an inspection would be considered unavoidably missed so make sure you have your inspection result before you proceed onto the next stage of your development.
An Occupation Certificate verifies that your development is suitable to occupy or use. It is the last step in the approval process for a building. To obtain an Occupation Certificate you will need to lodge an application with your Principal Certifying Authority (PCA).
Once you have your certificate you can start using and enjoying your development!