The NSW Planning Portal is the NSW Government's online platform used to manage planning and development applications across NSW.

It's where applications such as DAs, CC’s and CDC’s must be lodged and managed, along with other parts of the building approval and certification process.

You or your nominated professional such as an Architect, Building Designer or Planning Consultant will use the Portal at different stages of your project to submit information, and keep track of your application, right through to receiving your Construction Certificate.

 For certification applications, timing can depend heavily on the quality and completeness of the information submitted, the complexity of the project and how quickly any requested additional information is provided.

A straightforward, well-prepared application may move relatively quickly, while a more complex application or one with missing information can take considerably longer.

Our best advice is to get your plans, engineering and supporting documents organised early. A complete application is one of the best ways to keep things moving.

 Because registered certifiers are independent regulators, there are limits on the assistance we can provide when it comes to designing or preparing something that we will later assess.

Depending on your project, we recommend engaging the right professional early – this might be a planning consultant, building designer, architect, engineer or other specialist consultant.

 This depends on what you're building, where you would like to build it and the planning controls that apply to your property.

There isn't a simple dollar value that determines whether you need approval.

In NSW, smaller works that meet specific requirements may be Exempt Development and need no planning or building approval. Other projects may qualify for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), while projects that don't meet these pathways may require a DA followed by a CC.

It's always best to confirm the correct approval pathway before starting design or construction.

There are specific rules around things like size, height, setbacks and where the structure can be located, so just because something is small doesn't automatically mean you can build it without approval.

It's best to check first. Your local Council or planning professional can help with site-specific planning advice and confirm what controls apply to your property.

Short answer – generally, you can't simply turn an approved shed into a habitable room or dwelling.

A typical shed is generally approved as a Class 10a building, while a dwelling is generally a Class 1 building. The requirements for habitable buildings are significantly different.

A conversion can involve much more than adding walls and a bathroom. Things such as the existing slab and structure, ceiling heights, waterproofing and weatherproofing, insulation, ventilation, condensation management, energy efficiency and other National Construction Code requirements may all need to be considered.

There are also planning requirements to consider, including whether the proposed residential use is permitted on the property and what approval pathway is required.

If you're thinking about converting a shed or garage into living space, speak with your building designer, architect or planning consultant before starting any work.

There is no single setback that applies to every property.

The answer depends on things like your property, zoning, type and height of the building, the approval pathway and the planning controls applying to the site.

For a DA, setbacks may be influenced by Council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP). For complying development, the relevant standards under the Codes SEPP will need to be met.

Your building designer, architect or planning consultant can check the requirements for your particular property.

 You can engage or start talking to a builder at any stage of the process.

Getting a builder involved early can be helpful for discussing budget, buildability, construction methods and timing.

Just remember that the more information you can give them, the more accurately they can quote. Ideally, they'll have detailed architectural plans, engineering, specifications and a clear scope of works to price from.

You don't necessarily need to wait until your approvals are complete to start talking to builders – you just need the required approvals and certification in place before building work starts.

The required inspections will depend on your project and building classification.

For KBC projects, we'll identify the required inspections as part of the certification process so you and your builder know what needs to be inspected and when to book us in. Additional inspections may also be required depending on the project.

For a typical Class 1 or Class 10 project, critical stage inspections can include:

• After excavation and before footings are placed

• Before pouring reinforced concrete elements

• Before covering the building framework

• Before covering waterproofing in wet areas

• A final inspection once the building work is complete

Potentially, sometimes.

Your approved plans form part of your development consent, so you can't simply make changes during construction and assume they'll be okay.

Depending on the nature of the proposed change, you may need to lodge a Modification of Consent through Council.

For a modification pathway to apply, the development generally needs to remain substantially the same as the development originally approved. If the proposed changes go beyond this, a new DA may be required.

If you're thinking about changing the design, speak with your building designer, architect or planning consultant before making the change.

Put simply, a DA is the planning approval and a CC is the construction approval.

A Development Application (DA) is essentially the formal question: “Can I build this here?” It considers whether the proposed development is suitable for the site and assesses planning matters such as land use, setbacks, building height and impacts on surrounding properties. For most residential DA projects, the application is assessed and determined by the local Council.

Once the DA is approved, the next step is generally a Construction Certificate (CC). This is essentially the question: “Can I build it this way?” It looks at the detailed construction plans, engineering and specifications to make sure they are consistent with the DA approval and meet the applicable building requirements, including the Building Code of Australia.

A CC can be issued by Council or an appropriately registered private certifier, such as Knight Building Certification.