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  • If you're building, altering, adding to or demolishing a building, you may need building approval (BA).
  • You must have BA before any building work can start.
  • Building certifiers can issue BA, you can work with your certifier to get all the approvals required.

Most building projects in the ACT involving new builds, alterations, additions and demolition require building approval (BA).

You’ll need development approval (DA) before you get BA.

You must have a BA in place to ensure your proposed building work complies with relevant building laws and regulations and the National Construction Code (NCC, also known as the building code).

How to apply for BA

To get BA, you'll need to:

  1. appoint a licensed building surveyor as your certifier, who meets codes of practice
  2. complete and ensure lodgement of the Appointment of a Certificate - Application for Building Approval form and the Appointment of Builder and Application for Commencement Notice form to Access Canberra, and
  3. pay all the relevant fees.

You’ll need to give your certifier detailed plans that meet relevant codes and design guidelines.

To assist with BA requirements, detail for construction, and preparing plans, you can get help from:

  • architects
  • building designers
  • engineers.

Building work cost guide

An application for building approval must contain an estimate of the cost of work. This estimate must be determined in accordance with the Building (General) (Cost of Building Work) Determination.

Commencement notices

Before you start building, your licensed builder must apply for a commencement notice. A building certifier will issue a commencement notice after the BA is issued and commencement approval granted. You can also apply for a commencement notice if you are a licensed owner-builder.

Once you receive the commencement notice, building work can start. Make sure you check all the requirements you need to consider for your construction .

When you start building

You and your building team should be mindful of:

  • any conditions in the notice of decision about your Development Application approval that relate to the project. This includes meeting any conditions that may be required to be met before any construction or building work can start
  • any lease conditions.

Conditions can include what we can build or do with our land and in what timeframe the building must commence or complete construction.

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