FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Private Certifiers

To obtain a Construction Certificate (CC), please call Buildingwise Private Certifiers Newcastle on (02) 4957 8186, email us at [email protected] or fill out our Request A Quote form.

To obtain a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), please call Buildingwise Private Certifiers Newcastle on (02) 4957 8186, email us at [email protected] or fill out our Request A Quote form.

Buildingwise Certifiers are able to provide advice on whether your proposed development would need approval. If you need approval, Buildingwise can also let you know the type of approval needed.

Getting the correct approval will result in your development being legal.

Obtaining advice on approval could also save you thousands of dollars in red tape & several weeks, if not months, of time. For example, if you lodge a DA with the local council for a development that can be classed as complying development, you will have wasted money on the application fee & other documentation that may be required for DA approval, plus the extra time taken to obtain DA approval.

For advice on approvals, please call Buildingwise Certifiers Newcastle on (02) 4957 8186, send us an email at [email protected] or fill out our Request A Quote form.

The initial approval process can be divided into three categories:

1. Exempt Development – No approval is needed

Some minor building renovations or projects don’t need any planning or building approval. This is called exempt development. Examples of exempt development can include balconies, decks, patios, pergolas, etc.

2. Complying Development – A Complying Development Certificate is required (CDC)

Developments classed as complying development can be approved without the need to obtain DA approval from the council. A Complying Development Certificate is a form of planning approval that can be issued by an Accredited Certifier, such as Buildingwise.

Examples of complying development can include new dwellings, sheds, granny flats, change of use of buildings, etc.

Once a Complying Development Certificate has been obtained, Critical Stage Inspections will need to be undertaken at various stages throughout the construction works & an Occupation Certificate (OC) attained when the development has been completed.

3. Development Consent – DA is required by the local council & a Construction Certificate is needed (CC)

Where a development proposal cannot be classed as either exempt development or complying development, you will need to lodge a Development Application with the local council to obtain development consent. After you have received DA approval, you will need to obtain a Construction Certificate, which can be provided by Buildingwise.

Once a Construction Certificate has been obtained, Critical Stage Inspections will need to be undertaken at various stages throughout the construction works & an Occupation Certificate (OC) attained when the development has been completed.

To have your Swimming Pool Barrier (or fence) inspected, and obtain a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate, please call Buildingwise Certifiers Newcastle on (02) 4957 8186, email us at [email protected] or fill out our Book a Pool Compliance Certificate Inspection form.

An Occupation Certificate (OC) is required for any new building work, or change of use of a building, that has a Construction Certificate (CC) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC). Occupation Certificates are not required for buildings that are classed as exempt development.

There are two types of Occupation Certificates:

1. Final Occupation Certificate 

A Final Occupation Certificate allows the commencement of either the occupation or use of a new building (including alterations or extensions) or the new use of an existing building resulting from a change of its use.

2. Interim Occupation Certificate

An interim occupation certificate allows the commencement of either the occupation or use of a partially completed building or of a new use of part of an existing building resulting from a change of use for the building.

To obtain a Complying Development Certificate, please call Buildingwise on (02) 4957 8186, email us at [email protected] or fill out our Request A Quote form.

An Occupation Certificate (OC) can be obtained if you have received either a Construction Certificate (CC) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) & the development has been constructed in accordance with the conditions of the Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate.

To obtain an Occupation Certificate (OC), please call Buildingwise on (02) 4957 8186, email us at [email protected] or fill out our Request A Quote form.

Buildingwise Private Certifiers are able to certify new construction works on residential Class 1 & Class 10 buildings (e.g. dwellings, alterations & additions to existing dwellings, swimming pools, garages, granny flats, etc.).

Buildingwise Certifiers can:

1. Issue Construction Certificates (CC)
2. Issue Complying Development Certificates (CDC)
3. Issue Occupation Certificates (OC)
4. Issue Swimming Pool Compliance Certificates
5. Issue Other Compliance Certificates

Undertake Critical Stage Inspections

Yes, Buildingwise Certifiers are a Principal Certifying Authority. Our Director Peter Moroney is an A3 Accredited Certifier Registration Number 1720 with the NSW Building Professionals Board. Peter is also a member of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.

Yes, Buildingwise has Professional Indemnity Insurance & Public & Products Liability Insurance. We will be happy to email or fax a copy on request.

Buildingwise complies with the relevant legislation. Buildingwise Private Certifiers are able to provide advice as to how a plan or specification could be amended to comply with a deemed-to-satisfy provision of the Building Code of Australia if the development relates only to a class 1 building or a class 10 building.

If you are engaging Buildingwise on a project where Buildingwise is not the Principal Certifier, Buildingwise is able to provide advice in many other ways.