New Home Approvals NSW

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.

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.

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.

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.

We’ll assess your documentation, plans, and reports against the relevant codes, legislation and National Construction Code.

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.

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

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.