• Before you start your building or renovation project, you may need approvals. You may also need approvals during and after construction. 
  • On some occasions, your project may be exempt from seeking approvals.

Before you build, renovate or develop in the ACT, there are some things you need to do. Before proceeding, it is important to understand the planning law in the ACT.

You may need to get approval before you start. There are a few types of approval:

Some developments are not allowed, and for some types, you might not need approval. Find out more about prohibited developments and exemptions from approvals.

Development approvals

If you're building a new development, you may need to apply for development approval by making a development application (DA). This includes when you want to undertake new developments on an existing property.

There are a few things that impact whether you need to apply for a DA. These include:

  • the type of work you're planning
  • how complicated the work is and
  • the extent of environmental impacts the works would cause.

A DA looks at your project's design to make sure it suits the area by making sure it meets a few requirements:

Significant development

Some development proposals are classified as 'significant'. These include developments:

Territory project priority projects

A Territory Priority Project (TPP) [324.8 KB] is a proposal that is declared, or relates to light rail. A TPP declaration can only be made by the Chief Minister and the Planning Minister, who declare a development proposal is a TPP.

A TPP must:

  • achieve a major government policy outcome that will significantly benefit the ACT community
  • help achieve the desired future planning outcomes set out in the Planning Strategy 2018, District Strategies and the Territory Plan
  • be for infrastructure or facilities that will significantly benefit the ACT community and
  • ensure consultation has occurred.

Application process

There are a few steps to apply for DA:

Before you apply

Before you apply, you need to complete any required pre-DA processes and to prepare all your documents. This usually means to:

  1. Get advice from a professional
  2. Finalise an Environmental Impact Assessment, if required
  3. Consult the National Capital Design Review Panel, if required
  4. Prepare your plans and supporting reports.

After you submit

Once submitted, your DA documents will be checked to make sure you've included everything. This usually takes between 5-10 working days.

You’ll then need to pay your DA fees. After this a few other things will happen, including:

  1. Public notification of your application
  2. Referral to relevant Government or non-Government agencies for advice and
  3. Assessment

You might also be asked to provide more information and update your application. You may also choose to amend your application.

Your application outcome

At the end of the assessment process, you'll be told if your application is approved, conditionally approved or refused.

If you disagree with the decision, you may be able to request a reconsideration or appeal.

If it is approved, and something changes, you may also have a chance to update your application to reflect those changes.

Find out more about development applications.

Building approvals

Generally, all building work requires building approval (BA). On a few occasions, your work may be exempt.

A BA makes sure the work you want to do meets the Building Act Code and is safe.

Find out more about building approvals.

Other approvals

You may also need to get approvals for other types of work, including:

Remember:

  • even if your project doesn't need a DA or BA, it may still need other types of approvals.
  • any work in designated areas or other national land, the NCA will be the approving agency rather than the ACT Government and
  • most ACT approval requirements also apply in Jervis Bay Territory.

Find out more about other approvals.

Understand the planning laws in the ACT

The ACT Planning System includes the legislation and policy that direct the way we plan our city.

There are a few key legal documents to know:

  • the Planning Act 2023 explains:
    • the Territory Plan
    • the Territory Planning Authority's role
    • the different types of development
    • considerations for how to decide on DAs
    • DA timeframes, including how much time it will take to decide, and to let the community know.
  • the Planning (Exempt Development) Regulation 2023 explains what developments don't need a DA. These are usually low-impact developments.
  • the Planning (General) Regulation 2023 explains the administrative details of the Planning Act. For DAs, this includes:
    • Which government and non-government agencies to consult with
    • timeframes for them to provide advice, and
    • timeframes for letting the community know about the development.
  • the Territory Plan is the main policy document used in the ACT. It tells us how land should be used, what can be built on it, and where. The Territory Plan is the tool used when assessing and deciding DAs. It also provides resources and materials to help prepare, assess and decide on DAs.

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