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What do the BASIX certificate reference number validation messages mean?

On 31 July 2026, changes were introduced to strengthen the compliance and security requirements for BASIX Certificates submitted as part of a development application or complying development certificate application through the NSW Planning Portal. 

When an applicant enters a BASIX reference number within a development application (DA) and complying development certificate (CDC) application, the reference number is validated against the BASIX tool. There are three types of messages:

• Reference number is valid (the BASIX certificate will be automatically uploaded onto the application)
• Reference number requires review (the council / certifier will need to review the BASIX certificate/s to validate them)
• Reference number is not valid.

The messages displayed for the applicant can be viewed in this information sheet. 

The messages that a council or certifier user will see in the review harness, or when editing an application are slightly different. You can view the messages and what you will need to do when you see one here.

How to review and submit a planning proposal as a council officer

This step-by-step guide outlines the steps a council user takes to review and submit a planning proposal that was created by an applicant.

What do the BASIX certificate reference number validation messages mean?

When an applicant enters a BASIX reference number within a development application (DA) and complying development certificate (CDC) application, the reference number is validated against the BASIX tool. There are three types of messages:

Reference number is valid (the BASIX certificate will be automatically uploaded onto the application)

Reference number requires review (the council / certifier will need to review the BASIX certificate/s to validate them)

Reference number is not valid.

Please view the information sheet to view the messages and what you will need to do when you see one. 

This change was introduced on 31 July 2026, to strengthen the compliance and security requirements for BASIX Certificates submitted as part of a development application or complying development certificate application through the NSW Planning Portal.

What happens in the case of a non-minor amendments from 1 July?

When a council approves an amendment request as non-minor, this updates the lodgement date to the date the amendment request was submitted. If the application lodgement date is after 1 July 2026, the new DCA framework applies and the application will need to be sent to the DCA for consideration. 

The system will auto-cancel any existing CNR cases when an amendment request is approved as non-minor. The council will need to re-enter the CNR request through the workflow in the Portal, if a referral is required. 

Applicants will be advised that they can request a refund via the DCA, if applicable.
 

I am an applicant and I am unsure whether my application should be referred. What do I do?

Some applicants, such as developers or homebuilders, may know that their application will need to be referred to a specific agency. Selecting this information can help support councils during the assessment process. 

If you are unsure, select ‘Unsure’, and the council will enter this information for you when assessing your application.

At what point during the assessment of a development or modification application can I invite the DCA for a referral check?

Council can request a DCA referral check either before an application has been lodged, or after the application has been lodged and the application is under assessment. 

How can I contact the Development Coordination Authority?

You can contact the Development Coordination Authority (DCA) on email [email protected] or phone (02) 9228 2820. 

Will the changes to the workflow in the Online DA and State DA services impact the APIs?

There will be impacts to the Online DA v2, Online State DA and Common inbound APIs. 
You can access the relevant API release notes below which outline the impacted operations, attributes and any actions:

•    Online Development application service v2 and Common inbound API
•    State Development application service API v2
 

Temporary backward compatibility support will be provided from 1 July 2026 to assist with the transition. This will allow existing council integrations and development application service lodgement processing to continue operating. 
We will be removing the backward compatibility in 2027 and will provide a further update once available. To stay informed we encourage you to subscribe to our API communications mailing list.   

Can applicants see the changes I make to their application?

Yes. Changes made by council users are visible in the system-generated PDFs. These documents show the previous and updated values, with changes highlighted. 

It is best practice to notify applicants of any significant edits, and to ensure that you have their consent prior to amending any application details.

How do I access the edit development application functionality?

To access the edit development application functionality:

1. Log into the NSW Planning Portal using your council profile
2. Open the development application you wish to edit
3. Select ‘Edit applicant details’ or ‘Edit council entered information’ option from the Actions button in the top right-hand corner
4. Edit the incorrect information and complete the process.

For more information please view the How to use the edit functionality in the development application service step-by-step guide.