Payment

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.

To pay a NSW Planning Portal service fee:

1. Log in to the NSW Planning Portal.
2. Open the related application from your Active Work dashboard.
3. Click 'Pay now’ button and follow the on-screen instructions to make your payment.

Note: if you have been nominated as the payer within the application form but were not the applicant, you can access the application using the search functionality within the Portal using the application number. 

The relevant fees are outlined in Schedule 4 and Part 13 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021. A consent authority also publishes fees for planning and development services in their schedule of fees and charges. Once you submit an application, the relevant consent authority will advise of the applicable fees.

Fees vary based on the type of application. Fees for development applications, for example, are based on the estimated cost of development. Additional fees also apply for giving public notice of a development and for certain types of development such as designated development, integrated development, threatened species development, Class 1 aquaculture development, and applications that require design review panel advice. Fees may include a planning reform service fee. NSW Planning Portal service fees may also apply. 

Why have fees changed for planning and development related services?

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 allows for the indexation of fees each year to reflect the consumer price index (CPI). This increase applies to fees contained in Schedule 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 that are based on fee units. The first increase applies from 1 July 2023.

Updating the fee unit each year in line with CPI changes means that fees will better reflect the cost of providing planning services. Increases will be gradual and the Department will advise of the fee unit that will apply each financial year, following release of the CPI that applies. 

The maximum fee payable for a BASIX certificate depends on the type of development, as outlined below:
•    Single dwelling: $50
•    Multi-dwelling: $80 for the first two dwellings + $35 for each additional dwelling
•    Residential flat building:  variable - depends on number of units
•    Alteration and additions: $25 for each dwelling.

There is also a $5 NSW Planning Portal fee for each BASIX certificate.

To estimate the fee payable, you can download the fee calculator.

Merchant fee from the payment option selected will be added to the actual fee payable.

The fees related to BASIX certificates must be paid within the NSW Planning Portal via a secure payment gateway. The BASIX certificate will be unable to be generated until this payment has been made.

You can pay by credit card (Mastercard or VISA), BPay, PayPal or bank transfer. You cannot pay via cheque or cash.

Merchant fee varies with the selected payment option and will be added to the actual fee payable.

There is no additional charge to revise an issued certificate, as long as it relates to the same property and project recorded on the original certificate.

Whilst the Department may, under some circumstances refund the fee paid on a BASIX certificate, the Department is not required to provide a refund. A BASIX certificate is a legal document, the issue of which is the delivery of the service for which the fee is payable. A user is not entitled to receive a refund on the basis that they have simply changed their mind.

If you wish to apply for a refund, please email your details and reason for the request to [email protected] and the appropriate refund information will be sent to you.

Please note that any refunds, if provided, may be subject to an administration charge.