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F a c t s h e e t
Development Permits - Building Works
Development Applications are issued for different disciplines within the building industry, for example, once planning approval has
been issued, you are then required to commence with building works approval before building can actually commence.
The approval process for building works is known as a ‘Development Application (or Permit) for Building Works’.
This fact sheet sets out to clarify details on a Development Application (or Permit) for Building Works and the application and
review process (not to be confused with a Development Application for Planning consent).
What is ‘building work’?
‘Building work’ is defined as:
the renovation, alteration, extension, improvement
or repair of a building
the provision of lighting, heating, ventilation, airconditioning,
water supply, sewerage or drainage in
connection with a building
the preparation of plans or specifications for the
performance of building work
contract administration carried out by a person in
relation to the construction of a building designed by
the person.
According to the QLD Building Service Authority ‘building
work’ is considered to have a work total value of $1100
or more (if the building work requires an occupational
licence such as plumbing or fire protection works the
legislation cuts in a zero dollar value).
Legislative Authority
Building Works approvals are controlled by the following
legislation:
Building Act 1975
Building regulation 2006
Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991
(QBSA).
For a Development Application for Building Works to
be approved it must also comply with the Integrated
Development Assessment System (IDAS), the fire safety
standard, any local laws or planning instruments where
applicable, the Queensland Development Code (QDC)
and the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Building Works - process
All building works approvals must be submitted to and
approved by a private Building Certifier (who is registered
in the state of Queensland) then submitted to the local
council for notification and record keeping purposes.
Specifically, applicants must provide a private Building
Certifier with completed IDAS Forms 1 and 2 for a
Development Permit for Building Works to be issued.
FORM 1 is compulsory for all types of applications
and details information about the description of the
land and owners’ details and consent.
FORM 2 must include the builder’s detail’s including
their Queensland Building Services Authority (QBSA)
licence number.
The Building Certifier must also identify the appropriate
referral agencies applicable to the development. Where a
special fire service is installed or altered within a building
or an alternative solution is applicable to the works
(e.g. building modifications, extensions or fit out works),
the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service will be referred
to as an advice agency.
Lodgement of Development Permit for
Building Works
Once an application has been assessed and all
documents and other approvals (including referral
agency advice and Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd comments
regarding land use) are received, a Development
Permit for Building Works can be issued to allow the
building work to commence.
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Development Permits - Building Works Fact Sheet
Building Works - process (Cont’d)
It is important to note that all development proposals
require careful preparation so that once lodged, the
review process can occur in a timely manner.
The Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) does not employ
Building Certifiers and will only be able to assist you
with the preparation of your development proposals.
Approval for building works
The approval for ‘building works’ must be provided to
the relevant council within five days for their record
keeping purposes. The Building Regulations lists the
items to be lodged with the council after the issue of a
development permit by a private Building Certifier.
Building works items to be supplied:
a copy of the plans
a list of required fire safety installations
copy of any certificates or documentation
from competent persons
copy of the certifiers’ accreditation
any performance approvals.
Development Permit FOR Building Works – Review Process
A properly made application is lodged with the Certifier
The application requires assessment
by QFRS
The Certifier commences assessment
The QFRS must provide assessment advice
within 15 business days
Assessment runs concurrent with QFRS
assessment
QFRS issues complying assessment advice
Development permit can now be issued on
reciept of the Qleave payment
The development permit is issued with
conditions and all documents including
certificates are lodged with the local
authority within five business days of
issuing the approval
The development permit is issued to the
Local Authority and the Local Authority
must immediately on receipt of the
application issue an acknowledgement
notice to the Private Certifier
Certifier cannot issue the application to
the applicant until an acknowledgement
advice is received
Certifier issues the development permit
and work commences
The Local Authority issues a tax invoice or
an acknowledgment notice
Builder requests a final inspection to be
carried out by QFRS
Builder carries out building work and has
required inspections carried out during
the construction phase and requests a
final inspection
QFRS must undertake the final inspection
within 15 business days of receiving
the request
QFRS undertakes the final inspection
and issues a complying inspection report
to the Cerifier
The Certifier carries out the final
inspection and in accordance with the
approval issues an inspection report noting
outstanding certificates and approvals
When the Certifier receives and accepts
all certificates, approvals and as
constructed documents, a Certificate of
Classification is able to be issued
A copy of the Certificate of Classification,
and as constructed plans, with a list of
the fire safety installations, are lodged with
the QFRS within five business days
The certifier issues the Certificate of
Classification to the Owner, Applicant,
Local Authority within five busisness days
A copy of the Certification of Classification
with as constructed plans and all
inspection certificates are forwarded
to the Local Authority
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Development Permits - Building Works Fact Sheet
CERTIFICATES OF CLASSIFICATION
Common non compliances
Minor fit-outs and refurbishments are quite often
undertaken without consideration or knowledge of
the existing building approval conditions or current
code restrictions. For example, small adjustments to
floor layouts and materials can cause non-compliances
to travel distances, fire indices and fire safety systems
and some tenancy fit-outs, in buildings over 500m 2 ,
need to consider the building as a whole, not just the
tenancy fit-out.
Certificate of Classification is the term for the legal
document that states a building can be occupied with
regard to the use, for which it was designed, built or
adapted.
It is imperative that owners, occupiers and facility
managers ensure that their buildings are being occupied
in accordance with the certificate of classification as
substantial penalties apply for non compliance.
If the building works use a building solution which
restricts the use or occupation of the building, the
relevant building certifier will state the restriction on
the certificate of classification.
Examples of restrictions on certificate of
classification:
A restriction may be placed on the number of
persons to occupy a building when a number
of people accommodated could affect the
dimensions of exits and travel paths to exits
and types of door hardware installed.
The Building Regulation 2006 allows for ‘minor
alterations’ without the need for a development permit,
however, the scope is very restrictive. Compliance
with the existing approval conditions in the current
Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the Queensland
Development Code (QDC) need to be assessed on
an individual basis. Any alteration to detectors or
sounders will normally require building approval as
well as the involvement of the QFRS.
Non-compliances commonly occur with a tenancy
change, resulting in the nature and quantity of the
materials stored or displayed in a building. This can
impact on restrictions inherited with the building’s
Certificate of Classification and that reflects the
intended use of the building. For more information,
Table E1.5 of Volume 1 of the Building Code
of Australia, outlines restrictions on storage of
combustible materials such as carpets, clothing,
furniture, electrical appliances and all materials having
wrappings or preformed containers of foam plastics.
An alternative solution may require additional
testing for a fire system above the minimum
standard normally required.
Further information
Should you require more information on the preparation and assessment of a ‘Development Application – Building Works’
please contact the PBPL Facilities Management Team:
facilitiesmanager@portbris.com.au www.portbris.com.au +617 3258 4888
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