Support Hub

What applications (projects) were migrated from the BASIX service to the NSW Planning Portal, and where can I view them?

When the BASIX service was transferred to the NSW Planning Portal, some “in progress” and completed projects were also migrated across.

You can access your “in progress” projects last accessed on or after 1 January 2021 from the Active work tab on the NSW Planning Portal. Note: Any projects last accessed before 1 January 2021 were not migrated to the NSW Planning Portal and are unable to be accessed. Please start a new BASIX application for your proposed development.

All completed BASIX certificates (projects), including those you have archived, are located in your BASIX historical work folder, accessed via the top left-hand navigation menu.

I am about to have the final inspection for renovation works. However, we are unable to meet all the commitments within the BASIX certificate. What should I do?

How do I revise a BASIX certificate after it has been generated?

To revise a BASIX certificate:

1. Log into the NSW Planning Portal.
2. Select the relevant BASIX application reference number from your dashboard.
3. Select the “Revision” button on the application banner.
4. A new reference number and application will be generated. Complete the required information and calculate your scores.

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

Note: To revise a BASIX certificate created within the NSW Planning Portal, you must be the applicant. If you are not the applicant, the current owner and yourself will need to complete and submit the Authorisation to transfer BASIX project files form.

I want to change my Principal Certifier. How do I do this?

If you need to change / replace your appointed Principal Certifier, you will need to complete a new application within the Post-consent Certificate digital service on the NSW Planning Portal. This will ensure that the new Principal Certifier has access to the relevant applications.

When doing so, please ensure you select “Yes” to the question “Is this application to track transfer of Principal Certifier?”. Once you submit this new application, the newly nominated Principal Certifier will receive a notification to advise that you wish to appoint them as the Principal Certifier for your building works. If the nomination is accepted, the relevant consent authority will be advised, meeting the requirement under Section 57 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021. 

Please view the Quick Reference Guide, How to appoint a Principal Certifier for more information.

Why did I receive an email telling me my ‘In progress’ application would be cancelled in 7 days?

Applications with a status of "In progress" are cancelled after 28 days of inactivity. A reminder notification is sent after 21 days of inactivity.  If you would like to retain your application, please edit or submit the application to keep it active.

Alternatively, you can let the application expire. When you are ready to proceed, you can open the cancelled application within the Completed Work tab of your dashboard and select the ‘Copy to new application’ button in the top right of the application screen. This will copy the information you had previously entered into a new application with a new application number.

Do you need a BASIX Certificate for a manufactured home?

No. A BASIX certificate is not required for a manufactured home. 

When you select “Manufactured Home” as the development type for a Complying Development Certificate or development application, it will not trigger a requirement for a BASIX certificate.

For more information about a BASIX certificate not being required for a manufactured home, please refer to Planning Circular PS21-016. 

Do I need a BASIX certificate when I have access to my own water supply, electricity or gas?

The BASIX standards still apply if you have access to your own off-grid water, electricity or gas supply.

If the proposed building does not have mains water supply, it is expected to have sufficient alternative water sources (such as rainwater tanks) connected to satisfy demand. BASIX assesses if these water sources will satisfy the demand without needing excessive top-up of water from off-site. Depending on the location of the building, the BASIX score in the water section needs to achieve a required standard (e.g. 40 in coastal NSW).

If the proposed building is not connected to the electricity grid, other alternative energy sources (such as bottled gas) are required to satisfy domestic demand.

What is the difference between the thermal performance method options?

You can assess the thermal performance of the development using the following methods:

• simulation
• passive house standard
• Do-It-Yourself (DIY).

For further information, see https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/basix-thermal-comfort-section.

How do I enter a BASIX project address?

The BASIX service now has address verification for the project. To enter a project address:

1. Enter the site address or the lot number/section number/plan number. As you type, the system will auto-suggest an address or lot/section/plan number based on the information entered. 
2. Select the correct address or lot/section/plan number from the list.

Note: For unregistered addresses, there is no auto-populate feature.  Select the “address did not display?” tick-box and enter the address, the lot/section/plan number and the local government area name manually.

3. Click the tick-boxes to indicate the primary address for this application, the lot/section/plan number, and if there is proposed work to be carried out on the land adjacent to the selected lot(s).

You can delete the address by clicking on the ‘bin’ icon.  

Note: You must select both boxes or you will be unable to calculate BASIX scores or create a BASIX certificate.

How do I edit an “in progress” BASIX application (project)?

To edit an ‘in progress’ BASIX application, you must be the applicant (owner of the project): 

1. Log into the NSW Planning Portal. 
2. Select the relevant BASIX application reference number from the Active Work tab on your dashboard.
3. The application will open in edit mode. Navigate to the relevant section of the application and amend the information as needed.

Note: If you are not the applicant, the current owner and yourself will need to complete and submit the Authorisation to transfer BASIX project files form.