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What is a Development Application (DA)?
A Development Application, or DA, is a formal request to your local council for permission to build, renovate, subdivide, demolish, change the use of a property, or make other changes covered by planning law, including earthworks or outdoor advertising. Property owners, architects, town planners, engineers, and builders can all submit a DA on the owner’s behalf.
Council reviews your plans against local planning rules and either grants consent, grants consent with conditions, refuses the application, or issues a “deferred commencement” consent, meaning they need more information before deciding.
You need a DA when your project doesn’t qualify for a faster approval pathway: complying development or exempt development. Most substantial renovations, new dwellings on non-standard sites, and anything affecting heritage, bushfire, or flood-prone land go through a DA rather than the faster routes.
A DA on its own doesn’t let you start building. Once council grants development consent, you still need a Construction Certificate before work can begin. More on that below.
What will the council review?
The council reviews the design based on various rules, including:
- Zoning, indicating what development is allowed without consent, with consent, or prohibited.
- Heritage significance of your house or the area.
- Specific environmental concerns like flooding, bushfire risk, and sensitive land.
- Maximum building height.
- Floor Space Ratio (FSR) limit.
- Building setbacks.
- Privacy considerations.
Approval of a DA signifies that the submitted plans are deemed satisfactory by the Council. However, it’s important to note that a Construction Certificate is still required before commencing construction.
If you’ve obtained Development Application (DA) approval from your local council and require a construction certificate, Darook can help you, provide advice and issue you a quote for the obtain your stamped plans and DA approval, providing a quote for the building approval.
The Development Application and Construction Certificate Process
What is a DA in building? Well, irrespective of the development’s size, scale, or complexity, the Development Application and Construction Certificate Process is more or less the same. Simply put, the process is:
- Pre-lodgement with the local council
- Lodgement with the local council
- Assessment
- Determination, issued by a council certifier or private certifier
- Construction Certificate, issued by a council certifier or private certifier
- Occupation Certificate, issued by a council certifier or private certifier
If you’ve got DA approval and need a Construction Certificate to actually start building, Darook can review your approved plans and give you a quote. Get in touch →
Where to get help with the DA approval process
Every local council offers community members access to a Council Duty Planner, an individual designated to assist in comprehending both general and specific development regulations and restrictions. This involves translating technical language and providing guidance on various aspects.
Construction Certificate
Development consent from your DA confirms council is happy with what you’re proposing. It doesn’t confirm the technical construction detail meets the Building Code of Australia. That’s what a Construction Certificate does, and you need one before work starts. See our full Construction Certificate guide →
Where a DA is not needed
If your development proposal can comply with the exempt development or complying development legislation, a DA is not required.
Exempt Development
Exempt development is the legal term used to describe minor building work that is not subject to planning or building approval. Numerous home renovations and minor building projects fall under exempt development, eliminating the need for approval from a council or private certifier.
Learn more about exempt development here.
Complying Development
Complying development refers to specific types of projects that follow predetermined standards in state or local government planning codes.
The main advantage is the quick approval process. Once you submit the application and meet all criteria, approval can often be granted within a few weeks.
Typical projects include small renovations, home extensions, certain demolitions, decks, carports, fences, and minor building works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need a Development Application (DA) to build or renovate?
No. If your project meets the fixed standards for complying development, a private certifier can approve it without a full DA. Very minor work may qualify as exempt development and need no approval at all.
What’s the difference between a Development Application (DA) and a Complying Development Certificate (CDC)?
A DA is assessed by council against planning rules that leave room for judgment. A CDC is a faster, rules-based approval a private certifier can issue when your project meets fixed, predetermined standards. No council assessment involved.
Does getting a Development Application (DA) mean I can start building?
No. Development consent from a DA is the planning approval. You still need a Construction Certificate confirming your construction detail meets the Building Code of Australia before work can start.
How long does a Development Application (DA) take?
It depends on your council, the complexity of the project, and whether extra referrals (heritage, flooding, bushfire) are needed. Your council’s duty planner can give you a timeframe specific to your application.
