New Home Approvals NSW
There’s enough to manage on any building project. Approvals and certification shouldn’t slow you down. With Buildcert, you get practical guidance, expert support, and a faster, smoother path to sign-off.
New home building approvals, sorted.
At Buildcert, we know building a new dwelling comes with a lot of moving parts. Approvals and certification aren’t the most exciting part, but they are one of the most important. We understand you don’t want them slowing you down. You just want to know they are handled in a professional, efficient and timely way.
That’s where we come in. Since 2012, Buildcert has been guiding builders, developers, designers and homeowners through the new home building certification process. Whether it’s a fast-tracked Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a Construction Certificate (CC) after Development Application (DA) approval, we’ve got it sorted.
Our experienced team makes certification clear and straightforward, removing complexity and helping keep your project on track. No matter the size or type of project, you can trust Buildcert to get it sorted so you can focus on bringing the design and build to life.
[ Our approach ]
How we get your new home approval sorted.
01
Getting StartedWhat we need
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 a Complying Development Certificate (CDC):
- Architectural plans, external elevations, sections plan, construction details and CDC building envelope
- Title Search, Deposited Plan & Instrument 88b (if applicable)
- Section 10.7 Planning Certificate
For a Construction Certificate (CC):
- Development consent from council
- DA endorsed plans
For more info, you can also check out our Lodgement Checklists.
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
Once all the documentation is finalised, we will then issue your CDC or CC.
If there are any pre-commencement requirements (like an owner-builder permit or Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF)), we’ll flag them clearly on your approval. Once you’ve got those sorted, we’ll issue a Notice of Commencement. From there, it’s just a two-day wait before you can get started.
04
Construction & Final Sign-OffWhat's next
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 builder's responsibility to book them in, but we make bookings easy. 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.
For a new dwelling, inspections typically include:
- Piers/Footings - prior to placement of concrete
- Slab - prior to placement of concrete
- Frame - prior to insulation and internal linings
- Waterproofing - prior to internal wet area tiling
- Stormwater - prior to backfilling the discharge connection point
- 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.
In some cases, a Partial OC can be issued to allow occupancy before items like driveways, landscaping, or retaining walls are complete, though this depends on council requirements.
[ 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."
Ready to get your certification sorted?
Frequently asked questions.
Got questions about new home approvals? We've put together answers to the most common ones.
What documentation is needed for a certification quote?
To do a quote for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) we just need your site plans that include front, side and rear setbacks as well as elevations (if you have any supporting property documents like a Title Search send that through as well). For a Construction Certificate (CC), all we’ll need is your development consent from Council and your Development Application (DA) stamped plans.
What is a Complying Development Certificate?
A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a type of building approval that lets you skip the full council DA process; but only if your project meets a set of pre-determined planning and building rules set by the NSW Government.
It covers many common builds like new homes, dual occupancies, townhouses, extensions, granny flats, pools, and commercial and industrial buildings. If your plans tick all the boxes, the approval process is much quicker and handled entirely through a private certifier.
We’ll review your plans, determine CDC permissibility, and manage the approval from start to finish, with no back and forth with Council.
What is a Construction Certificate?
A Construction Certificate (CC) is one of the key approvals you’ll need after Development Consent from Council. It confirms that your construction plans match your approved Development Application (DA), meet the National Construction Code, and comply with any planning conditions. It also covers key details like structural safety, fire compliance and energy efficiency.
Once your CC is issued, the last step before work starts is a formal Notice of Commencement. We’ll guide you through this so you can hit the ground running.
What’s the difference between a Construction Certificate and a Complying Development Certificate; and which one do I need?
Both are types of building approval, but they apply in different situations:
- Complying Development Certificate (CDC): This is a fast-tracked approval that combines both planning and building approval in one. If your project meets specific rules under the State’s Housing Code (like height limits, setbacks and site coverage), you can skip council and get approved by a private certifier, often much faster.
- Construction Certificate (CC): This is used when your project has already been through the full Development Application (DA) process with council. A DA gives planning approval, and the CC is the building approval that follows. You’ll need both before work can start.
What is the role of the Principal Certifier?
The Principal Certifier (PC) is responsible for making sure your build meets all the regulations and rules, from your CC or CDC, through to final approval. They’ll carry out mandatory inspections, check that your construction follows the National Construction Code and planning conditions, and issue the Occupation Certificate when everything’s complete and compliant.
Are inspections mandatory?
You betcha - inspections are a required part of the approval process. They’re how we make sure your project meets safety and compliance standards.
The inspections listed on your CDC or CC are the minimum required for your project. The exact number can change depending on things like staging or construction method. If extra inspections are needed, we’ll flag it early and let you know what’s involved.
It’s usually the builder’s responsibility to book inspections in, and in some cases specialists (like engineers) may also need to inspect and provide written confirmation. Either way, we’ll keep you across what’s required so there are no surprises.
Toolbox
Sorted.
