It is the approval to start building on a project approved by a development application. It confirms that the construction plans and specifications match the development consent and comply with the Building Code of Australia.
57%
of the homes determined in NSW reach construction within two years. An approval is not a
home: building starts with the construction certificate.
When you need one
- Before building work starts on anything approved by a development application. You can apply once you have the development consent.
- Not after. A construction certificate issued after work has started is invalid, and no occupation certificate will be issued for the building.
- Not with a CDC. A complying development certificate is a combined planning and construction approval, so work approved by one needs no construction certificate.
Before work starts
- Appoint a principal certifier. The owner appoints one, not the builder: the council, a registered building surveyor or a registered certification company.
- Notice to the council. If the principal certifier is not the council, it must notify the council at least two days before building work starts.
- Inspections. The principal certifier carries out the mandatory inspections through the build, and at the end decides whether an occupation certificate can be issued.
Each council’s page on Lodgd shows its approvals and how long it takes to decide a development application: find your council →
From NSW’s pages on building approvals and complying development, and the NSW Planning Portal’s guide to starting a build.