What does DA approval mean?

DA approval means the authority that assesses development applications has agreed to the work you asked for, usually with conditions attached. DA stands for development application, and the approval settles the planning question: whether that work suits that land. In most states it is not the permission to start, because the building approval still has to follow.

What does DA approval actually allow?

It allows the work shown on the stamped plans, on the conditions written in the decision, and nothing beyond them. The decision is tied to the land rather than to you, so it generally passes to a later owner. It has a shelf life as well: if the work does not start within the period the decision or the state sets, it can lapse. Read the conditions before you order anything, because some must be met before building starts and others before the work is finished.

Why do the letters change between states?

Every state asks the planning question and the building question, but the names differ. In New South Wales a DA goes to the council and is followed by a construction certificate. In Queensland a development approval can cover planning, building or both, with a certifier usually giving the building part. In Victoria the planning answer is a planning permit, and in Western Australia it is development approval, with a building permit after it. In South Australia development approval is the whole package of planning consent and building consent.

The same letters can mislead. In New South Wales a CDC is a complying development certificate, while in Western Australia the letters mean a building surveyor’s certificate of design compliance. The post on planning and building permits covers the split in more depth.

What comes after DA approval?

meeting any conditions marked for before work starts
the building approval from a certifier, a building surveyor or the council, on drawings that match the decision
any other consent the lot needs, such as for building near a sewer main
a final certificate at the end, which goes with the property’s papers

Can DA approval be challenged or refused?

Yes to both, and it varies. The authority can refuse an application, or grant it with conditions you did not expect, and most states give the applicant a way to ask for a review or to appeal. The decision notice says what applies and how long you have, so read that page first.

Do I need DA approval at all?

Often not for small work, within the limits each state sets. The post on council approval covers the common structures, and the post on zoning explains how the zone decides what is asked of the lot.

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. The sheet shows the zone, the overlays and the distances an authority reads first, so you can see what is likely to be asked before you lodge.

Search your address, see what the plan shows for a shed, carport or other outbuilding, or read what we hold for Central Coast. Site plans by council covers the rest of Australia.

Common questions

What does DA approval mean? It means the authority that assesses development applications has agreed to what you asked for, usually with conditions. It settles the planning question: whether the work suits the land. In most states you still need the building approval before work starts.

What is DA approval compared with a building permit? DA approval answers whether the work belongs on that land, while a building permit or building approval answers whether the structure will be built properly. Some work needs one, some needs both.

Can I start work once I have DA approval? Usually not. Most states ask for the building approval as well, and any conditions marked for before work starts have to be met.