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Help and Resources

Applicant Resources

How-to or quick reference guides and other resources designed to assist applicants and STRA registrants using the NSW Planning Portal.

To help applicants and Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) registrants to use the NSW Planning Portal we have compiled a comprehensive collection of resources.

We have prepared a series of quick reference guides to help first-time users and those wishing to gain access to the NSW Planning Portal.

Before you begin

If you do not have a NSW Planning Portal account, or are having problems registering, then this video and quick reference guide will help you through the process.

QRG: How to register for a NSW Planning Portal account

If you already have a NSW Planning Portal account but need help to navigate the dashboard, then the following video and guide will provide the assistance you need.

QRG: Navigating the NSW Planning Portal dashboard

Additional information may be requested by council prior to your application being lodged or at any time during the assessment process. This guide will show you how to provide additional information.

QRG: How to provide additional information

Frequently asked questions about using the NSW Planning Portal are answered on our FAQ page.

Our Applicant services

Organised by service type or topic, these quick reference guides (QRGs), fact sheets and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) should provide suitable guidance for all applicants and Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) registrants.

Activation Precinct Certificate

The Activation Precinct Certification process aims to facilitate a responsive streamlined planning pathway that will enable economic development.

QRG: How to submit an Activation Precinct Certificate application  

10.7 Certificates

In council areas where the online 10.7 Planning Certificate Service is available, applicants and councils can work together on requests for 10.7 Planning Certificates through shared digital dashboards.

QRG: How to use the online Section 10.7 Planning Certificate service 

BASIX

The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) requirements apply to all residential dwelling types and are part of the DA process in NSW. There are BASIX requirements for water and energy usage and thermal comfort performance that apply to:

  • all new residential dwellings.
  • alterations and additions to dwellings that cost $50,000 or more.
  • swimming pools of 40,000 litres or more.
From October 1 2023, the enhanced BASIX tool is accessible through the NSW Planning Portal.

QRG: Creating a BASIX certificate for a single dwelling

QRG: Creating a BASIX certificate for multi dwellings

QRG: Creating a BASIX certificate for alterations and additions

QRG: Revise a BASIX Certificate

Building Information Certificate (BIC)

A Building Information Certificate application is to include an original or certified copy of a survey report and plan if it is related to residential zoned land.  For land situated in other zones, you may be required to provide a survey report. The survey report and plan must represent the property and buildings as existing at the time of lodging the application.  Additional information may also need to be provided (including building plans, specifications and certificates) to allow Council to assess the application.

QRG: How to Submit a Building Information Certificate application

Complying Development Certificates (CDC)

It’s always best to check with your individual council before you begin a Complying Development certificate application for its requirements.

QRG: How to submit a complying development certificate application

Providing the details of the Nominated Practitioners for certain developments is mandatory. When submitting a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Construction Certificate (CC) application and a Class 2 development is selected, the Practitioner details information will need to be completed.

QRG: How to nominate Practitioners for Class 2 buildings

FAQs: Complying Development Certificates

Concurrence and Referrals

This online service is part of a digital-first planning environment that simplifies and fast tracks the approval process for development applications.

QRG: How to process an online Concurrence and Referral payment

FAQs: Concurrence and Referrals

Construction certificates

In many council areas, you can apply online for a Construction Certificate via the NSW Planning Portal when lodging a development application. Here are some useful resources to help you through the process.

QRG: How to submit an application for a construction certificate

Providing the details of the Nominated Practitioners for certain developments is mandatory. When submitting a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Construction Certificate (CC) application and a Class 2 development is selected, the Practitioner details information will need to be completed.

QRG: How to nominate practitioners for Class 2 buildings

Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP)

The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) facilitates growth in Western Sydney to 2056 and beyond and delivers important development and biodiversity outcomes.

QRG: Submitting a draft Application for DPE CPCP advice - v1 032023

QRG: Submitting a Formal Application for DPE CPCP v0.1

Development Applications (DAs)

A development application is one of the most frequently used services by applicants on the NSW Planning Portal. Here are some useful quick reference guides (QRG) and resources to help you with your application.

QRG: How to submit a development application (DA)

QRG: How to request operational consent for a deferred commencement Development Application

QRG: How to withdraw a development application

FAQs: Development Applications

Housing and Productivity Contributions

Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR)

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) requires landholders on waterfront land to apply for a Controlled Activity Approval (CAA) for their works before they start. Approvals usually contain conditions to minimise the impact of the activity or works on the waterway and adjoining land.

By requiring landholders to get a CAA before carrying out works on waterfront land, NRAR prevents activities that could alter water flow or quality, destabilise beds or banks of waterways, cause erosion, or disturb wildlife habitats.

Most controlled activities also need development approval from your local council. If this is the case, you will need to lodge what is known as an Integrated Development Assessment System Development Application (IDAS DA).

The following guides will help you with completing NRAR-related applications on the NSW Planning Portal.

QRG: Lodging a New Controlled Activity Approval (CAA) or Amendment Application

QRG: Creating a Controlled Activity Approval (CAA) Surrender Application

QRG: Applying for a Controlled Activity Approval (CAA) Security Bond Release

Occupation Certificates (OCs)

The issue of the final OC is the last step in the formal DA and construction process (though there could be ongoing ‘operational’ conditions such as maintaining appropriate noise levels or landscape maintenance).

QRG: How to submit an application for an Occupation Certificate (OC)

Planning Proposals

A planning proposal document can be prepared by a council, a landowner or developer seeking to change the planning controls relating to a particular site, area, locality or local government area, or by a third party on behalf of a landowner or council.

QRG: How to submit a Planning Proposal

QRG: How to initiate a rezoning review

Principal Certifiers

You can apply for a principal certifier appointment via the NSW Planning Portal using two different methods. Applicants can apply via a stand-alone application (consent application is outside of the Portal) or via an online development (DA) or online complying development certificate (CDC) application.

QRG: How to appoint a principal certifier

Publish on Portal

Applicants can use the Publish on Portal service when requested by the Land and Environment Court (LEC) to upload documentation to the NSW Planning Portal (Portal). To register a new account, refer to our Register for the NSW Planning Portal quick reference guide or video.

QRG: How to upload Land and Environment Court (LEC) documents

Roads Act (Sections 125, 138 and 144)

Section 68

In some council areas, it’s possible to submit an application under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 online.

QRG: How to submit an application for approval under Section 68 of the Local Government Act

SEPP applications

Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA)

The STRA framework allows registrants to register their property and make their registration fee payment via the NSW Planning Portal. Registrants can also manage their properties via the STRA Listings area - this includes de-registering your property, registration status and property details. Registrants can enter the bookings for their STRA properties via the STRA Listings area.

QRG: How to register a Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) property

QRG: How to de-register a Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) property

QRG: How to manage Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) bookings

QRG: How to manage host and registrant details for a registered Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) property

QRG: How to renew a Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) property

QRG - How to transfer management of a Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) property

Spatial Viewer

The NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer is an enhanced digital mapping service that provides easy-to-use, information-rich maps for every address and lot in NSW.

QRG: How to navigate the NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer

FAQs: Spatial Viewer

Special Infrastructure Contributions (SIC)

State Design Review Panel (SDRP)

The State Design Review Panel (SDRP) is a multi-disciplinary panel of highly experienced built-environment professionals from industry and government that provides independent advice on the design quality of major development proposals in NSW. More information is available at the Government Architecht NSW website.

Government Architect NSW (GANSW)

The SDRP Application provides a digital workflow that will enable proponents to create a new SDRP application online, provide contact and project-related information and upload submission requirements for Panel review meetings as determined by the SDRP team.

QRG: How to submit a State Design Review Panel (SDRP) application

QRG: How to respond to State Design Review Panel (SDRP) submission requirements

QRG: How to provide missing State Design Review Panel (SDRP) submission information

QRG: How to update contact details and meeting attendees

QRG: How to upload the final State Design Review Panel (SDRP) design presentation

QRG: How to withdraw a State Design Review Panel (SDRP) application

QRG: How to provide additional information v4.0

Subdivision and Subdivision Works Certificates

If these services are not yet available in your local government area, you can apply directly to your local council or search for an accredited certifier on the Building Professionals Board’s Register.

QRG: How to submit an application for a Subdivision Certificate

QRG: How to submit an application for a Subdivision Works Certificate

Tree Permits

You can request to have a tree pruned, replaced or removed on a private property by submitting a Private Tree Permit application on the NSW Planning Portal.

QRG: How to submit an application for a Private Tree Permit


Portal fees

In accordance with the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, applicants are required to pay a digital application processing fee for certain planning applications and certificates.

A full list of fees can be found on the NSW Planning Portal Service Fees page.

Contact us

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Last updated: 13/03/2024