How much does a DA cost in NSW?

A development application fee in New South Wales follows a state scale that rises with the estimated cost of the work, so the bigger the job, the bigger the fee. That is only part of the bill. A DA is followed by a construction certificate, a certifier’s inspections and sometimes notification costs, while a complying development certificate, or CDC, rolls the approval into one certifier’s fee plus small state charges. The council prints the current amounts in its fees and charges.

How is the council’s DA fee worked out?

From the estimated cost of the work, which is what it would cost to build, materials and labour together, declared with the application. The state sets the scale and indexes it each financial year, so the amounts move even when the scale does not. Declare the cost honestly and keep an itemised quote, because the council can ask how it was worked out.

What other costs come with a DA?

notification, where the council has to tell the neighbours
the construction certificate, from a certifier or the council
inspections during the work, and an occupation certificate where one is needed
the state’s long service levy, on building work above a set value
development contributions, which mostly fall on new homes and not a patio or shed

Why can a DA cost more than its fees?

Because of the time and the reports. A DA can ask for a statement of environmental effects, shadow diagrams, a survey or a specialist report for an overlay, and on a small project each of these can cost more than the council’s own fee. The post on what a site plan costs covers the drawing.

How do CDC fees differ?

A CDC comes from a registered certifier or the council, and each sets their own fee for checking the work against the state’s standards. The state adds a small lodgement and registration charge, and inspections are usually in the quote. A certifier cannot vary a standard, so a design that misses one has to change or move to a DA, where the fees start again. The post on carports as complying development shows how a typical job is sorted.

Which path costs less for a small project?

Usually the one the work actually fits. Exempt work has no application fee because nothing is lodged, though the check and the drawing are still yours. A CDC is often cheaper and faster than a DA, because set standards replace a merit assessment. A DA is the only route where the standards do not apply, such as some heritage land or a design that needs a variation. A small change to the size or position can move a project from a DA to a CDC, and that is often the biggest saving of all.

Reading it for your own lot

RapidSiteplan reads the council and building rules for your lot from its address, checks the design against them as you place it, lets you edit it as often as you like, and prints the site plan. Site plans and assessments in minutes. Move the structure on the sheet and you can see whether the distances stay inside the standards, before you pay anyone for an application.

Search your address, see what the plan shows for a shed, carport or other outbuilding, or read what we hold for Campbelltown. New South Wales councils are listed by name, and site plans by council covers the rest of Australia.

Common questions

How much does a DA cost in NSW? The council’s fee follows a state scale that rises with the estimated cost of the work. On top come the construction certificate, the certifier’s inspections, the drawings and sometimes notification.

What are development application fees based on? On the estimated cost of the work you declare with the application, which is what it would cost to build, materials and labour together.

What are CDC fees? A certifier sets their own fee for assessing the work and issuing the complying development certificate, usually with inspections in the quote. The state adds a small lodgement and registration charge.