What you need to know about retrospective building approvals and certification in Queensland

What you need to know about retrospective building approvals and certification in Queensland.

24 Jun 2025
3 min read

Across Queensland, retrospective building approvals are becoming increasingly common, especially as legal requirements tighten ahead of the new Property Law Act taking effect on 1 August 2025.

If you’ve completed building work without formal approval or discovered unapproved structures on a property you own, you’re not alone.

But what exactly are retrospective approvals, and what do you need to know?

What is a retrospective building approval?

A retrospective (or ‘as-built’) building approval is the legal process of certifying structures that were built without proper approval. This might include decks, sheds, carports, extensions or even granny flats that weren’t signed off at the time of construction..

Why do I need one?

From August 2025, sellers in QLD will be legally required to disclose any unapproved structures when selling a property. Even now, buyers are asking more questions and failing to address past compliance issues could delay settlement or reduce your sale price.

What can be approved retrospectively?

Not everything, but a lot can. Many common structures like patios, garages, internal renovations or retaining walls can often be certified after the fact.

A qualified certifier (that’s us!) will assess the work, flag any issues and let you know the steps you need to take.

What are the risks of doing nothing?

Unapproved work can lead to show cause notices, fines from Council, or even insurance and liability risks if something goes wrong. But the bigger issue for many homeowners is what it means when it’s time to sell. Delays, renegotiated contracts or lost sales are real outcomes.