Building

The Building Act 2011 commenced on 2 April 2012, introducing a new building approval process for WA and bringing significant changes to the building approvals process – from the design stage right through to occupation of a building.

The Act and the Building Regulations 2012 replaced the Building Regulations 1989 and much of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960 and amend a range of associated acts.

The commencement of the Act introduced a new Building Services Levy, private design certification services provided by registered building surveying contractors and consent requirements for work affecting other land.

Please visit the Department of Commerce – Building Commission website for more information on the Building Act 2011.

View the Legislative Framework for building.

Application Types

Uncertified Application

An Uncertified Application is one in which the certification of building standards has not been done prior to the lodging of the Building Permit application. It can only be lodged for Class 1a and 10 residential buildings. 

Once your application is submitted the Permit Authority (i.e. the City of Greater Geraldton) will assess compliance with the Building Code of Australia and complete the Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) before it can grant a Building Permit.

The City of Greater Geraldton has 25 business days to approve or reject your application. For a timely approval it is important to ensure plans and specifications submitted with your application demonstrate compliance with the Building Code of Australia and all other relevant approvals have been obtained before your application is submitted. 

Certified Application

A Certified Application is where you engage a registered building surveyor to complete a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) before the application for a Building Permit is submitted. The CDC will need to accompany the application for a Building Permit Certified. If all other required approvals have been obtained, the City of Greater Geraldton has 10 business days to approve or reject your application.

Applications for Class 1b and Class 2 to 9 must be lodged as Certified Applications. Applications for Class 1a and 10 may be lodged as Certified or Uncertified Applications.

Certification Services

The City of Greater Geraldton can provide Certification Services under the current building legislation mainly for construction in the Mid-West region. The City’s Building Surveying Team offers the following services:

  • Prepares Certificates of Design Compliance (CDC) for the issue of Building Permits
  • Prepares Certificates of Construction Compliance (CCC) for the issue of Occupancy Permits
  • Prepares Certificates of Building Compliance (CBC) as required for unauthorised work, change of use or Strata application.
  • Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessments in accordance with Fire Protection Association (FPA) Australia Guidelines.

Please contact the City's Building Surveying Team at (08) 9956 6916 and complete this Quotation Request for Certifying Services if you require Certifying Services for your permit application. Fees will be charged out at $192.00 per hour or as quoted for this service.

 A building surveyor who contracts to the public to provide certification services must be a registered building surveying contractor under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011. To check whether a building surveyor is registered follow this link: Registered Building Surveyors

Unauthorised Building Works

It is an offence under the Building Act 2011 to undertake building work without first obtaining a Building Permit, unless the building work is exempted from such a requirement under the Building Regulations 2012.

Property owners who have unauthorised building works may be able to submit an application to obtain Retrospective Approval from the City.

A Building Approval Certificate is used to retrospectively approve any building works completed without a Building Permit being issued, or certified an existing building’s compliance with the relevant standards.

Building Approval Certificates are voluntary, however if you have unauthorised building work you may be required to demolish it if you do not have one.

Need More Information?

If you require further information, visit City's Building Surveying Team between 8.30am and 5.00pm at the Geraldton Civic Centre on Cathedral Avenue, contact us on (08) 9956 6916 or alternatively email the City.