Support Hub

How can I get a refund for a BASIX 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.

Is there a fee to revise an issued certificate?

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.

How do I pay for a BASIX certificate?

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.

What is the fee for a BASIX certificate?

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.

Where can I find the fees for my application, and how are they calculated?

The relevant fees are outlined in Schedule 4 and Part 13 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021. Information on the planning and development fees that apply in 2024/25 can be viewed in the schedule of fees and charges. A consent authority also publishes their fees for planning and development services. 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. 

Are there any other charges that apply?

Local infrastructure contributions are charged by councils when new development occurs. They help fund infrastructure like parks, community facilities, local roads, footpaths, stormwater drainage and traffic management. Speak to your council about the local contribution fees that may apply. Some development may also be required to pay a housing and productivity contribution. 

The long service levy applies to building and construction works of $250 000 or more, which is required to be paid prior to the release of a construction certificate or complying development certificate. Further information on this levy is available on the Long Service Corporation’s website. 

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 fee unit for the 2024/25 financial year is $111.32.

How do I pay NSW Planning Portal service 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.

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. 

Will the new day booking cap be updated in the STRA service?

Changes to the STRA service to align with the Bryon Bay local government area day booking cap policy will be made in the NSW Planning Portal on 18 October 2024.  

If your property listing is renewed between 23 September 2024 and 18 October 2024, the customer support team will manually change the day cap after this date. 

I live in Byron Bay local government area and my STRA property listing is due for renewal after 23 September 2024. If I renew the property early, will the 180-day booking cap still apply?

If your STRA property listing is due after the 23 September 2024 but you renew it before this date, the renewal will take effect from the date that the current registration expires. This means that the day booking cap that applies to your property after 23 September 2024, will be applicable from your renewal date.  

I live in Byron Bay local government area. Will the revised day cap apply to my STRA property if my registration is due for renewal before 23 September 2024?

If your STRA property listing is due for renewal prior to 23 September 2024, the 180-day booking cap will apply for the next year. 

I completed my BASIX certificate before 1 October 2023 and when I open it, it is read only. How do I revise a completed BASIX certificate?

All BASIX certificates (projects) completed before 1 October 2023 are located in your BASIX historical work folder. When you open a BASIX certificate from this location it will be in read only mode.

To revise a BASIX certificate completed before 1 October 2023:

1. Log into the NSW Planning Portal.
2. Select the BASIX historical work folder from the left-hand side menu, activated by selecting the three horizontal lines.
3. The applications (projects) will be displayed on a dashboard. Select the relevant project and note the BASIX application reference number (which you should use instead of the project name).
4. Select the “Revision” button on the application banner.
5. A new reference number and application will be generated. The application will then be visible in your Active work tab. Complete the required information and calculate your scores.

For further instructions, please refer to the Revise a BASIX certificate Quick Reference Guide.