Support hub

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 BASIX Thermal Performance. 

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.

How do I generate a BASIX report?

A report, unlike a BASIX certificate, can be generated at any stage whilst answering questions within the BASIX tool. There is no certificate fee payable to generate a report.

To generate a report within the BASIX Tool:

1. Log into the NSW Planning Portal. Note: You will require a NSW Planning Portal account. For step-by-step instructions on how to create an account, please refer to the How to register for the NSW Planning Portal quick reference guide. 
2. Select “BASIX certificate” from the new application drop-down list on your dashboard, alternatively select BASIX from the “New” menu at the top left-hand corner of the screen.
3. Input all of the required information to complete the application and calculate your scores.
4. Proceed through the application to the summary screen.
5. Once in the summary screen, select the Generate BASIX Report button to obtain the report.

How do I create a BASIX certificate?

To generate a BASIX certificate, you need to complete an online sustainability assessment using the BASIX assessment tool. The tool checks elements of a proposed design against sustainability targets for energy, thermal performance and water efficiency. Once the assessment is complete and you have paid the relevant fee, a BASIX certificate will be issued.

To generate a BASIX certificate:

1. Log into the NSW Planning Portal. Note: You will require a NSW Planning Portal account. For step-by-step instructions on how to create an account, please refer to the How to register for the NSW Planning Portal quick reference guide.
2. Select “BASIX certificate” from the new application drop-down list on your dashboard, alternatively select BASIX from the “New” menu at the top left-hand corner of the screen.
3. Input the required information and calculate your scores.
4. Pay the required BASIX certificate fee.
5. Generate the BASIX certificate.

For further instructions, please refer to the relevant Quick Reference Guide on how to create a BASIX certificate.

What is the difference between a BASIX report and a BASIX certificate?

The BASIX report contains similar information to the BASIX certificate. However, the BASIX certificate is the legal document.

There is no fee payable to obtain a BASIX report, it is for information purposes only. It is a useful document to show to your builder, client, or architect to see whether intended commitments are suitable before generating a BASIX certificate.