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Occupation Certificate / Occupancy Permit — All States

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NSWVICQLDWASATASACTNT

Form number: NSW: Occupation Certificate (no fixed form number — NSW Planning Portal); QLD: Form 11 (Certificate of Occupancy); VIC: Application for Occupancy Permit (DOCX form via BPC)

Certificate issued by a building certifier or council at the end of construction that legally authorises a new building to be occupied, confirming it meets all required regulatory standards; without it, a buyer cannot settle and a landlord cannot lawfully rent the property.

Issuing authority

NSW: private certifier or council (NSW Building Commission framework); VIC: building surveyor / Building and Plumbing Commission; QLD: private building certifier (Form 11); WA: Building Commission WA / local government; SA: private building certifier / council; TAS: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)

Official source

service.nsw.gov.au

Cost

Varies by state and certifier — typically included in private certifier package ($1,500–$5,000 for residential NSW); VIC: fees set by building surveyor, consult BPC; QLD: issued by certifier as part of their engagement (no separate fee)

Deadline

Must be obtained before a building is occupied or a tenancy commences; required before property settlement in most states

How to apply

  1. Ensure all mandatory inspections required under the building permit or construction certificate have been completed and compliance certificates obtained (including fire safety, plumbing, structural).
  2. Obtain a Fire Safety Certificate (NSW) or equivalent fire safety compliance certificate from the relevant certifier or fire engineer where required.
  3. Prepare all pre-occupation documentation: compliance certificates for all regulated work, as-built plans, maintenance manuals for fire safety equipment, and any council-specific final documents.
  4. Apply for the Occupation Certificate through your principal certifier (NSW) or building surveyor (VIC): in NSW this is done via the NSW Planning Portal; in VIC submit the BPC Occupancy Permit application form to the building surveyor who issued your permit at least 30 days before intended occupation.
  5. In QLD, the private building certifier who managed the certification process issues Form 11 (Certificate of Occupancy) after the final inspection — you do not lodge a separate application; the certifier must provide copies to local government and the building owner within 5 business days.
  6. Pay any applicable certifier and council fees — costs vary by state and certifier; a private certifier package for residential work in NSW typically includes the OC for $1,500–$5,000 total (covering appointment, inspections, and OC).
  7. The certifier or surveyor conducts a final site inspection to confirm the building is suitable for occupation in accordance with its Building Code of Australia (BCA) classification.
  8. Receive the Occupation Certificate (NSW/ACT/TAS), Occupancy Permit (VIC/WA), or Certificate of Occupancy (QLD/SA) — retain the original document as it is required for property settlement and rental compliance.

Related topics

occupation certificate NSWoccupancy permit Victoriacertificate of occupancy QLDfinal inspection certificate AustraliaOC building certificatenew dwelling occupation certificateForm 11 certificate of occupancy QueenslandBPC occupancy permit application VICNSW Planning Portal occupation certificatebuilding certifier final certificatecan I move in without occupation certificateoccupancy permit required before settlementCBOS Tasmania occupancy certificateWA occupancy permit Building Commission

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