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An Occupation Certificate is required for any new building work, or change of use of a building, that is subject to development consent or a Complying Development Certificate. Occupation Certificates are not required for buildings which are exempt development.
An Occupation Certificate is issued under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and verifies that the Principal Certifying Authority is satisfied the building is suitable to occupy. This includes alterations or extensions, or the new use of an existing building.
Head to the NSW Planning Portal to login. Or follow the prompts to create an account.
Once your account is set up, you can submit your applications via the portal.
Complete the online application for an Occupation Certificate (OC). You can view the NSW Government's quick guide to this application process here.
Depending on the type of works or use, there will be certain documentation that you will be required to lodge with your application. Take a look at the checklist tab to find out more.
Once the application is submitted through the Portal, an initial review will be carried out to check the information provided is sufficient for Council to accept.
If we need more information before the application can be accepted, an officer will contact you to request this information or for further clarification. Once adequate information is provided, the application can be accepted.
When the application has been reviewed and considered ready for lodgement, an invoice will be sent to you for payment of the associated fees.
Assessment of your application will not commence until the fees have been received by Council.
Once fees have been paid, the application will be registered. A site inspection will then be organised.
Officers will contact you if anything further is required.
The planning system in New South Wales can at times seem overwhelming and complex, so Council staff have developed some checklists to help you get all the right documentation in order before you lodge an application online.
You can find them here.
If you need assistance using the Planning Portal, please view the Department's Help, Support and Training Page or you can call 1300 305 695 for additional support.