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Development Application (DA) — Residential

NSWVICQLDWASATASACTNT

Form number: NSW: no fixed form number — NSW Planning Portal online application; QLD: DA Form 1 (Development Application Details) + DA Form 2 (Building Work Details)

Application lodged with local council to obtain planning consent before building, extending, or changing the use of a residential property, required in most states when exempt or complying development pathways do not apply.

Issuing authority

NSW: local council via NSW Planning Portal (Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure); VIC: local council via VicPlan / council portal; QLD: local council via IDAS (Integrated Development Assessment System); WA: local council via MyDAS / PlanningWA; SA: local council via PlanSA; TAS: local council

Official source

planningportal.nsw.gov.au

Cost

NSW: fee based on estimated cost of development under EP&A Regulation (e.g. $50,000 project approx. $285); varies substantially by state and council

Deadline

Must be approved before commencing assessable development; no fixed deadline for lodging

How to apply

  1. Check whether your project requires a DA or qualifies as exempt or complying development by reviewing your property's zoning using the NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer, VicPlan, or your state's equivalent planning map.
  2. Obtain pre-lodgement advice from your local council — strongly recommended for any project above minor scale to identify likely conditions and required reports.
  3. Engage an architect, building designer, or planning consultant to prepare development plans, site analysis, Statement of Environmental Effects (NSW) or equivalent planning report.
  4. Prepare all required documents including: site plan and floor plans to scale, shadow diagrams, BASIX/sustainability certificate (NSW), stormwater management plan, heritage impact statement (if applicable), bushfire attack level (BAL) assessment (if applicable), and owner's consent form if you are not the property owner.
  5. Register for or log in to your state's online planning portal (NSW Planning Portal, VicPlan, PlanSA, MyDAS WA, or relevant council portal) and create a new DA application.
  6. Complete the online application form with full project description, estimated cost of development, property details, and upload all supporting documents.
  7. Pay the DA lodgement fee — NSW fees are set by the EP&A Regulation and are based on estimated cost of development; fees vary by state and council.
  8. Council registers the application, assigns an assessment officer, and notifies neighbours or places the application on public exhibition (typically 14 days) — respond to any requests for additional information promptly to avoid pausing the assessment clock.
  9. Receive the decision notice (consent with conditions, or refusal) — if approved, keep the consent document as it is required for the subsequent construction certificate and building permit.

Related topics

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