Find out if you need approval
If you are undertaking development, you may require approval
Development approval is granted after obtaining one or more types of consent during the development assessment process. The type of consent you might need depends on the development you are trying to do and where it is located.
| Consent | Required For | How Obtained |
|---|---|---|
Planning Consent | Development that may have a planning impact on its surrounding area | The development is assessed by a relevant planning authority against the planning rules to grant planning consent |
Building Consent | Development that may involves building work | The development is assessed by a relevant building authority against the building rules to grant building consent |
Land Division Consent | Development that involves the creation or movement of land boundaries | The development is assessed by a relevant planning authority against the planning rules as well as land division infrastructure requirements set out by the legislation, to grant both planning consent and land division consent. |
Approval for development in a council area
If your development is proposed in a council area, the type of approval you may require is determined by the Development Act 1993.
Most developments in council areas are granted approval by the relevant local council. In a small number of cases, approval may be granted by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP).
Learn more about how development is assessed under the Development Act
| Development Example | Approval Required? |
|---|---|
Minor building projects at home
| Development approval not usually requiredIf development approval is not required, the development is ‘exempt’. The Virtual House guides you through all development types that are exempt from requiring development approval. |
Larger building projects at home
| Development approval usually requiredThe development approval must include a building consent to ensure building work can be undertaken in a safe and compliant way. A planning consent may also be required if the project is considered to have a planning impact on its surrounding area, such as overlooking or overshadowing. |
Changing the land use of an existing building
| Development approval usually requiredThe development approval must include a planning consent to ensure the project does not have a negative planning impact on its surrounding area, such as increased car parking or hours of operation. A building consent may be required even if no building works are proposed. This is because a change in land use may require different building fire safety requirements. |
Altering land boundaries
| Development approval always required, unless amalgamating two adjoining allotmentsThe development approval must include a land division consent and a planning consent. |
Approval for projects around the home
The Virtual House guides you through typical projects undertaken around the home. It will give you an idea of the situations where approval is required. We recommend you contact DPTI if you need help interpreting the Development Plan that relates to your region.
Lodging an application
If you require approval for your development, you must lodge an application with the relevant decision-maker.
It is illegal to undertake a development without a required development approval and you may face prosecution or be fined.
Approval for development not in a council area
From 1 July 2019, if your proposed development is not located within a council area, the type of approval you may require is determined by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. This replaces the Development Act 1993 for outback areas.
In outback areas, all developments are granted approval by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP), as there is no local government. If you are proposing a development, it is recommended that you contact SCAP in the first instance to determine the rules that may apply
Learn more about implementation of the PDI Act in outback areas
Lodging an application
If you require approval for your development, you must lodge an application with the relevant decision-maker.
Download the Applicant's guide to lodging development in outback areas under the PDI Act (PDF, 4299 KB)
It is illegal to undertake a development without a required development approval and you may face prosecution or be fined.
