Frequently Asked Questions

The New South Wales Parliament has put a levy on building and construction work costing $25,000 and above (inclusive of GST) in New South Wales. The levy is paid into a fund administered by the Long Service Corporation, and from this fund, the Corporation makes long service payments to building and construction workers.

No. Works cannot commence on a project until you have received the appropriate building approval.

An Occupation Certificate is a certificate that enables an owner or occupier to legally occupy or use a building or part of a building. An occupation certificate may be issued upon a satisfactory final inspection and receipt of the Application for an Occupation Certificate form as well as all DA conditions have been met (in addition to all certificates of compliance for works completed).

Time frames for approvals vary depending on the project, approval type and council. For a standard development – provided we have received all the requirements in a timely manner – it would take the following approximate time:

• Two (2) Months – Development Application & Construction Certificate
• One (1) Week – Complying Development Certificate

Once Complete Certification has reviewed your project information we will provide you with a fee proposal. After this, and once we have been fully engaged we will send you a checklist confirming the requirements for the approval. This is because each project is different and may have requirements that others do not.

No. A Construction Certificate can only be issued prior to works commencing once all requirements and conditions have been met. Likewise, the PCA is required to attend “critical stage” inspections throughout the build in order to issue an Occupation Certificate. You will need to contact your local Council and apply for a Building Certificate.

Under the Exempt Development Policy if your Garden Shed meets the planning controls, no planning or building approval is required.

• Maximum height 3m
• Garden sheds in residential areas can be up 20m², and
• Rural Areas- 50m²

If your shed does not meet this criteria, you will be required to apply for building approval.

If your Garden shed doesn’t meet the Exempt Development requirements then it may be possible it can be approved as a Complying Development. A Complying Development is also known as a “Fast Track Approval” and the shed must meet all the specified criteria of Policy to qualify for this type of approval.

Complete Certification is accredited to issued Complying Development approvals. However, if your Shed doesn’t meet 100% of the criteria, a development application must be submitted and approved by Council. Once approved by Council, you will require a Construction Certificate prior to commencing works.

Yes. You will need either a Complying Development Certificate or Development Approval (from Council) with a Construction Certificate to build a new dwelling.

Yes. You will need either a Complying Development Certificate or Development Approval (from Council) with a Construction Certificate to build a new dual occupancy.

Yes. You will need either a Complying Development Certificate or Development Approval (from Council) with a Construction Certificate to build a multi-residential dwellings (townhouses).

Yes. You will need either a Complying Development Certificate or Development Approval (from Council) with a Construction Certificate to build a multi-storey residential building.

Yes. You will need Development Approval (from Council) with a Construction Certificate to build a new commercial premise.

Yes. You will need either a Complying Development Certificate or Development Approval (from Council) with a Construction Certificate to build a new industrial building.