Registered building surveyors issue certificates under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (construction certificates, complying development certificates and occupation certificates), act as the principal certifier for development, and inspect building work. The principal certifier will attend the site to carry out mandatory inspections at certain stages. When construction is complete, the certifier may issue an occupation certificate, which signifies that the work:

• Is ‘suitable for occupation’ – this does not necessarily mean all building work is complete

• Is consistent with the approved plans and specifications

• Meets all applicable conditions of the approval. The certifier does not manage or supervise builders or tradespeople or certify that the builder has met all requirements of the applicant’s contract with the builder.

Applications for both Construction Certificates and Complying Development Certificates are completed through the NSW Planning Portal. Please refer to the How to guides here for a simple step by step process.

At Graham Certification Group, we understand that timely approvals are critical to the success of your project. While every development is different, and timelines can vary based on a range of factors, our goal is to keep the process as efficient and transparent as possible.

Approval timeframes depend on the type, size, and complexity of the project, along with the quality of documentation, consultant responsiveness, and any planning or regulatory considerations.

For Complying Development Certificates (CDCs), statutory timeframes under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 allow up to 21 days from the date a valid application is received. However, where documentation is clear and complete, approvals can often progress more quickly.

Following your initial contact, we will:

• Assess the scope of your project and review any documents provided

• Organise a Pre-Approval Inspection of your site

• Issue a customised checklist of required documentation

• Review and provide feedback on all submissions, ensuring they meet compliance requirements

Once all necessary information is received and assessed, and your application is ready for finalisation, the preparation stage (including final quality checks and approval documentation) can, in some cases, be completed in as little as two business days.

While we cannot guarantee exact timeframes, we work diligently to minimise delays and maintain clear communication throughout. Our focus is on delivering a professional, responsive service that respects both compliance requirements and the commercial realities of your development.

To apply for a building approval, you'll need to provide detailed documentation so that your project can be assessed for compliance with the building codes and relevant regulations. The specific documentation required will vary based on the project’s classification, scope, and complexity; however, commonly required documents include:

• Architectural Plans

• Existing building information

• Fire Safety Documents

• Development Approval (DA) if applicable

• Owners Consent

• Any required supporting documentation

Refer to the NSW Government Application Requirements for further information on this.