Community NSW (Class 9 buildings)
We help get community-focused buildings certified smoothly, efficiently and without delay. These are the places that keep our communities moving, so we make sure your approvals don’t hold things up.
We've got your community projects sorted, with expert guidance every step of the way.
We understand that certification is not the most exciting part of a building project and you don’t want to have to think about it too much, but it is one of the most important. From health care and education to sport and community spaces, these projects keep our communities ticking. Choosing the right certifier can help avoid delays or compliance slip-ups.
Buildcert partners with commercial clients delivering high-stakes community infrastructure; child care centres, aged care facilities, schools and universities, hospitals, gym and sporting venues, entertainment venues and more. We simplify the certification side so you can focus on bringing your building to life.
Our team of experienced commercial certifiers know what challenges you may face, so no matter how big or small your project you can rest easy knowing your certification is sorted.
[ Our approach ]
How we get your community project certification, sorted.
01
Getting StartedWhat we need
To get your quote sorted, for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) all we need is a copy of your project plans. If you’ve got extras like a Title Search or Section 10.7 Planning Certificate, send those through too. For a Construction Certificate (CC), we just require your development consent and DA-stamped plans.
Quote & go
We’ll check over your plans, send you a clear quote and preliminary checklist, and once you give us the go-ahead, we’ll kick the process off straight away.
02
Get Your Docs ReadyWho handles this
While you’ll be pulling the documents together, Buildcert will guide you through the process and we can also source any property documents that you might need.
What we check
We make sure the essentials are in place and spot anything that could slow things down. The minimum we’ll need to lodge your application is our application form, plus:
For CDCs (building alterations internal):
- Application form
- Architectural site plans, internal elevations, sections plan and construction details
- Title Search, Deposited Plan & 88b Instrument
- Section 10.7 Planning Certificate
- Annual Fire Safety Statement
For CDCs (new teaching facilities):
- Application form
- Architectural site plans, internal & external elevations, sections plan and construction details
- Title Search, Deposited Plan & 88b Instrument
- Section 10.7 Planning Certificate
- Annual Fire Safety Statement
For CCs:
- Architectural site plans, application form and consent form
- Development consent from council
- DA endorsed plans
- Planning Portal references
- Annual Fire Safety Statement
03
Lodgement & AssessmentWhat's involved
We prepare and lodge your application in the NSW Planning Portal. Our certifiers will assess your project and conduct a site visit (where required).
Once your project has been assessed, your certifier will send a Request for Information (RFI) explaining exactly what to provide. If any adjustments to plans are required, we will talk you through that too.
What you gain
You’ll get a clear list of requirements upfront, straightforward communication, and a certifier dedicated to your project. We’ll guide you each step of the way and work with you to keep your approval moving.
What we check
We’ll assess your documentation, plans, and reports against the relevant codes, legislation and National Construction Code.
What's next
04
Construction & Final Sign-OffMandatory inspections
Your approval sets out the component certificates we expect will be needed along the way, so you know exactly what’s required as the build progresses.
It will also outline every mandatory inspection needed for your project. It’s the Builders responsibility to book them in, but we make bookings easy. If your project is in our service areas, book before 3pm and we’ll be there the next day to keep things on track.
Our team will then carry out all mandatory inspections to make sure your build stays safe, compliant, and moving without delays. Inspections generally include:
- First pour inspection
- Wet area inspection
- Fire penetrations (floor/wall/ceiling) & junctions - abutting fire rated/bounding walls inspections
- Stormwater inspection
- Completion inspection
Outcome
Once we do a completion inspection and review all your docs we issue your Occupation Certificate; your official sign-off that the project is complete.
And that’s that.
[ Services ]
The right solution, every time.
Buildcert sorts everything from approvals to final sign-off, so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ve got one team, all the way through. We’re your one-stop-shop for certification services.
[ Why choose Buildcert ]
Certification sorted.
For projects big or small, Buildcert gets your certification sorted. Trusted experience, clear communication and fast turnarounds mean you get less stress, more certainty, and support to keep your project moving.
- +47000Approvals issued.That's over 47,000 approvals, sorted.
- 15.6B$Total value of construction approved.$15.6B of construction approved and counting.
- +275000Inspections completed.Clients trust Buildcert because we’ve got the experience and know-how to get your certification sorted.
"Buildcert’s building compliance expertise was invaluable during our recent upgrades. Their team brought confidence, clarity and professionalism to a complex project, ensuring everything stayed compliant and on track from start to finish."
"Buildcert has been a reliable partner for years. Their proactive approach, local knowledge, and responsiveness take the stress out of certification for our team."
"Buildcert are a valuable partner for our team. Their practical guidance, collaborative approach and clear advice help us deliver bespoke designs that meet compliance without compromising creativity."
We've got your next next project sorted.
Frequently asked questions.
Got questions about community projects or certification in general? OWe've put together answers to some of the most common ones.
What is the process for approving works or a change of use for commercial developments?
Commercial builds, fit-outs, or changes of use typically go through one of two approval paths:
- Development Application (DA) via your local council – standard route for more complex or site-specific projects.
- Complying Development Certificate (CDC) with a – quicker if your project meets the lot requirements and complying development codes in the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).
Both paths require detailed plans and supporting documents. We recommend talking to a town planner before purchasing or leasing a commercial development.
Do I need a Building Code of Australia (BCA) report, and what’s included?
If your project involves compliance challenges under the Building Code of Australia (BCA), a BCA Report is often recommended by Councils, certifiers, and architects. It’s particularly useful for change-of-use applications, alternative design solutions, or projects with unique site conditions.
A BCA report evaluates your design against the Deemed‑to‑Satisfy (DTS) provisions of the Code.
It checks areas such as structure, fire-resistance, access & egress including accessibility, services & equipment and health & amenity components. This assists in identifying if your design satisfies the applicable DTS provisions of the BCA.
You’ll often find DTS non-compliances forming the requirement for design amendments or where design amendments cannot be satisfied a performance solution report may be proposed.
Can my certifier prepare a Building Code of Australia (BCA) report too?
Typically the same certifier cannot prepare both the BCA report and act as the Principal Certifier on a project as legally this may present a conflict of interest due to certifiers legally not being able to provide design advice.
What does ‘Deemed-To-Satisy’ (DTS) mean?
DTS refers to the prescribed, prescriptive pathways in the BCA. If your design ticks these boxes, like specific setback distances or fire ratings, you meet compliance automatically. If not, you may need a Performance Solution; a tailored, performance-based alternative designed to achieve the same safety outcome in a different way.
What’s a Performance Solutions Report?
When your project doesn’t meet deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) provisions, a Performance Solution Report steps in. It’s a technical document that demonstrates how your design meets the Performance Requirements of the Building Code of Australia or alternative methods to show it's just as safe.
What is a Clause 137 report, and when is it required?
Clause 137 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation sets rules around Complying Development Certificate (CDC) issuance. If the existing building is subject to a performance solution for a fire safety requirement under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and your development comprises internal alterations or a change of use, you will need a compliance report to support your CDC application.
This confirms your design is consistent with the existing performance solution report.
Toolbox
Sorted.
