Building Permit Application (Multi-state: VIC Form 1 / WA BA1 & BA2 / QLD Building Approval / NSW Development Application)

Issuing authority

VIC: Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC, formerly VBA) — submitted to Relevant Building Surveyor / NSW: Local Council via NSW Planning Portal / QLD: Private Building Certifier or Local Government / WA: Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) via Local Government

Official source

How to apply

1. Determine whether the work requires a permit in your state — most structural work, extensions, new dwellings, and major renovations do; minor exempt works are listed in each jurisdiction's building regulations.
2. Engage a Relevant Building Surveyor (VIC), Private Certifier (QLD), or submit via council (NSW/WA) as the assessment body for your application.
3. Prepare documentation: professionally drawn and engineered plans, specifications, energy compliance reports, and (where applicable) planning approval/development consent.
4. VIC: Complete Form 1 (Application for a Building Permit) and submit to your chosen Relevant Building Surveyor along with the building permit levy (0.128% of cost of works for works over $10,000) payable to the BPC.
5. NSW: Lodge the Development Application (DA) online via the NSW Planning Portal (planningportal.nsw.gov.au), including Statement of Environmental Effects, owner's consent, and cost estimate.
6. QLD: Engage a private building certifier or local government to assess your application — certifier uses Forms 12, 15, 16 and/or 43 depending on project conditions.
7. WA: Complete BA1 (certified, with professional design certification) or BA2 (uncertified) and submit to your Local Government permit authority with the Building Services Levy (0.137% of work value, min $61.65 for works over $45,000).
8. Obtain the building permit number and any conditions before commencing construction — work started without a permit is illegal in all jurisdictions.

Related topics

Related forms

• Occupancy Permit / Occupation Certificate (Multi-state: VIC Form 15/16 / NSW OC / QLD Form 11)VIC: Form 15 (Application for Occupancy Permit) + Form 16 (Occupancy Permit); NSW: Occupation Certificate (no fixed form number — lodged via NSW Planning Portal); QLD: Form 11 (Certificate/Interim Certificate of Occupancy, replacing certificate of classification from October 2020)
• Owner-Builder Permit / Licence — QLD, WA, SA, ACT and NTQLD: Owner-Builder Permit Application Form (form-ob-permit-application.pdf); WA: Form 75 (Approval — Owner-builder, updated; old version invalid from 1 June 2026); SA: CBS Online Form (via cbs.sa.gov.au/online-forms); ACT: Application for Construction Occupation Licence — Individual Owner Builder (forms.act.gov.au form code 1166); NT: Owner Builder Application Form (bpb.nt.gov.au)
• Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) Certificate of Insurance — NSW / Domestic Building Insurance Certificate — VIC / Home Indemnity Insurance Certificate — WA / QBCC Home Warranty Insurance
• Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) — NSW
• Wet Area Waterproofing Compliance Certificate — VIC (Plumbing Compliance Certificate via VBA360) / NSW (Waterproofing Certificate) / QLD (Form 43 Aspect Certificate)VIC: Plumbing Compliance Certificate (VBA360); QLD: Form 43 Aspect Certificate; NSW: no standardised form number