The licensing scheme opens for applications on 1 October 2025, with a 12-month transition period before mandatory licensing commences on 1 October 2026. From 1 October 2026, a licence will be required for certain activities (detailed on this page). The time at which a licence is required will depend on the specific project timing.

For projects which have received development approval before mandatory licensing commences on 1 October 2026, transition arrangements are provided which allow for an application for minor amendments to the development approval to be made without a property developer licence. This is detailed in new section 162B of the Planning Act 2023, which can be found in schedule 2, Part 2.5 of the Property Developers Act 2024.

Part 5 of the Property Developers Act 2024 (rectification orders, stop work orders and undertakings) applies to building work for which a development approval is given on or after 11 July 2024. Residential building projects which received development approval before 11 July 2024 are not subject to the scheme.