From Start To Finish We Guide You

From Design, to Council Approval

Certified applications provide a faster and more reliable pathway to securing your building permit. Unlike uncertified submissions, which must undergo full assessment by the local council, certified applications are first reviewed and signed off by a registered independent building surveyor. This process ensures that your plans, engineering, and documentation fully comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) and all relevant Australian Standards before they even reach the council.

By front-loading compliance, certified applications often result in significantly shorter council processing times, minimising costly delays and giving you confidence that your project is fully aligned with statutory requirements from the outset. For this reason, they are the preferred choice for many builders, developers, and homeowners who value efficiency, compliance assurance, and smoother project delivery.

Building Approval Process

Certified Applications

Un-certified Applications

Uncertified applications (BA02) involve lodging your building plans directly with the local council, where their building surveyors will complete the full compliance assessment. Unlike certified applications, which are pre-checked by a private building surveyor, uncertified submissions require the council to review every detail of your documentation — from structural engineering through to compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards.

This pathway is often chosen for smaller projects such as patios, sheds, carports, and other Class 10a structures, where the additional cost of independent certification may not be necessary. While uncertified applications can take longer to process due to council workloads, our team ensures that all drawings, specifications, and supporting documents are carefully prepared to minimise the risk of delays or requests for further information.

By guiding you through the uncertified process, we make sure your project satisfies council requirements, avoids unnecessary complications, and progresses as smoothly as possible.

Retrospective Approval

Retrospective approval (BA18) is required when a structure has been built without first obtaining the necessary permits. Councils take unauthorised works seriously, and failure to resolve them can create issues when selling your property, applying for finance, or obtaining insurance.

Our role is to help you bring unauthorised structures into compliance. This often involves:

Preparing accurate site plans and elevations of the existing structure.
Engaging structural engineers or surveyors (where required) to confirm compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards.
Liaising directly with your local council to address any planning or building requirements.

By carefully managing this process, we ensure your project can be formally approved and recorded with the council, reducing legal and financial risks while giving you confidence that your property meets regulatory standards.

Certified vs Uncertified Applications

Aspect	Certified Application (BA01)	Uncertified Application (BA02)
Assessment Process	Reviewed and signed off by a private, registered building surveyor before submission to council.	Submitted directly to council, who must undertake a full technical assessment.
Approval Timeframe	Typically faster – council checks documentation already certified for compliance, reducing processing delays.	Often slower – council must review all documents in detail, which can extend approval timelines.
Compliance Assurance	Higher confidence – documents have been checked against the NCC and Australian Standards prior to lodgement.	Greater risk of requests for additional information, design changes, or engineering updates.
Cost Considerations	Slightly higher upfront cost for surveyor certification, but reduced risk of costly project delays.	Lower initial cost, but longer processing times and possible resubmissions can add to overall expense.
Preferred By	Builders, developers, and homeowners wanting efficiency, certainty, and smoother project delivery.	Owners on smaller projects or those wanting to minimise upfront fees.
Risk of Delays	Low – most issues are resolved before council lodgement.	Higher – delays more common due to council queries and compliance checks.

New Building Permit vs Retrospective Approval

Aspect	New Building Permit (BA01/BA02)	Retrospective Approval (BA18)
When Used	Lodged before construction begins.	Required after a structure is built without approval.
Assessment Process	Plans, engineering, and documentation are reviewed against the NCC and Australian Standards prior to building.	Existing structure is inspected and assessed; plans often need to be redrawn to reflect what has already been built.
Compliance Assurance	High – issues can be resolved on paper before work starts, ensuring smooth approval.	More complex – structure must meet current standards, which may require modifications or additional engineering.
Approval Timeframe	Typically faster – council processes applications knowing work hasn’t commenced yet.	Council scrutiny is higher, and requires extra documentation to ensure the building permit is issued.
Cost Considerations	Lower overall cost – predictable fees and fewer surprises.	Higher cost – additional consultant reports, engineering checks to prove compliance.
Risks	Low – council approval provides certainty before building begins.	High – risk of council refusing approval if you don’t have an agency handle the application.
Impact on Property	No impact on resale or insurance – structure is fully approved from the start.	Can cause issues with selling, refinancing, or insuring until approval is obtained.

We are here to make the building approval process as smooth and efficient as possible, no matter the type of application you require.