Are you wondering about the building permit process in Victoria? Before you undertake a build, extension or demolition, you will likely need to apply for a building permit so that your plans comply with state laws and regulations.

Your local council, the Victorian Building Authority or a registered building surveyor can tell you whether your project will require a building permit.

Read on to find out when a building permit or a planning permit (or both) is needed, how to choose a surveyor and lodge your application, and how much it will cost.

Planning permits

Your local council is usually in charge of issuing planning permits under the local planning scheme. Applying for a planning permit is a necessary step taken to gain legal permission for a land use or development, and should be done before applying for a building permit.

A planning permit is needed whether you’re building a new home, putting an extension on an existing property, making a renovation, subdividing or adding another dwelling. A town planner can help you ascertain whether you need a planning permit for your proposed building work.

When submitting to council, ensure you include all the sufficient details, such as the proposed design, planning report, shadow diagrams and anything else that would be relevant. Your council’s verdict will consider the environmental impacts of your proposed land use or development, as well as the impact to the neighbourhood and neighbours.

Building permits

According to the Building Act 1993 (the Act) and Building Regulations 2018 (the Regulations), any building work in Victoria needs a permit, unless an exemption exists under the Regulations.

Exemptions include:

• Certain demolitions or minor alterations
• Maintenance repair work
• Pergolas
• Garden sheds with less than 10 metres squared of floor area.

If you don’t qualify for an exemption, in order to ensure buildings comply with the law, property owners must obtain the relevant permits before commencing any work on their land. Large fines can be dealt to property owners who do not obtain a permit before commencing work.

A building permit is a legal document that gives you a level of protection when work begins. This ensures:

• You employ the services of registered and insured building practitioners
• You follow the building legislation in order for construction to be executed correctly
• Inspections are completed at key stages of the project
• Premises are suitable for occupation.

The document will also state whether you need either an occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection when your project is finished.

Choosing a surveyor for your building project

Before you apply for a permit, you need to choose your relevant building surveyor. Your surveyor is responsible for making sure buildings meet all legal requirements, and that they are safe and energy efficient.

Written approval is sought through a private or municipal registered building surveyor and certifies that the work can be done within accordance with the approved plans and specifications outlined in the relevant documentation you provide.

A registered private building surveyor operates their own business, while a municipal building surveyor operates within the local government council.

You can authorise an agent to make your building permit application on your behalf as long as you do so in writing. Just remember to go over the permit requirements and documentation before work gets started on your building site.

Lodging the application

Once your building application form has been completed and signed and dated, you need to:

• Pay the building permit fee
• Submit a minimum of three sets of professionally drawn plans
• Provide a full copy of your Certificate of Title, no more than six months old.

The plans you include should be drawn up by an architect or draftsperson to ensure they are of a professional standard. This should cover scaled drawings, specifications, structural drawings, scaled site plans, and any other relevant plans drawn.

If you’re not confident that your application is complete, then it’s a good idea to consult your local council or relevant planning office in your region. They will be able to point you in the right direction and help to ensure that when you submit your application, you get it right the first time.

How much do building permits cost in Victoria?

Fees in Victoria depend on the cost of the building work. The price is generally inclusive of state government building levies.

Building surveyors can also set their own fees, so make sure you do your research and get multiple quotes before making a decision. The total fee is based on what you estimate the building works to cost. The costs should all be itemised down to the materials and labour. You can refer to your builder or supplier’s quote if need be.

The fees you may be up for include:

• Building permit fee – how much this costs will depend on the nature of your project
• Any council fees that may be charged when you lodge your application
• A government levy – use the Victorian Building Authority building permit levy calculator.

What happens after lodging my application?

Once the building permit applications have been lodged, your surveyor will review the application to ensure it is compliant with relevant building regulations in Victoria.

Applications are typically assessed within 7 days, but can take up to 14 days. During this process they may decide that further information is needed before issuing a permit. Once all the information is obtained, it usually takes 24-48 hours to be issued.

Mandatory building inspections

If you’re constructing a new dwelling, renovating or extending buildings, mandatory inspections will be carried out during the process. The type and amount of inspections will be based on the scope of your project.

At each stage, the surveyor will check the builder’s work and issue an approval letter in order for the project to continue. If any of the work is not up-to-scratch, it will have to be fixed or a building order may be issued before an approval letter is given.

Inspections are performed at key stages of the construction process. Some of these include:

• Completion of excavations before the footings are placed
• Slab inspection
• Framework completion
• Swimming pool and spa safety barriers
• Final inspection upon completion of all work.

How long is a building permit valid?

In Victoria, the time frame for commencing and completing work varies depending on the type of job. All construction must commence within a 12 month period from when the permit was issued. However, commercial jobs must be completed within 36 months, residential projects are to be completed within 24 months, and swimming pools and fences need to be finished within 6 months.

Sometimes circumstances arise which delay the commencement or completion of work. In this case, you can request an extension before the relevant date lapses. Your surveyor will decide if they will grant an extension based on whether the extent of the building work warrants it.

Certificate of final inspection and occupancy permit

At the final inspection, the inspector or surveyor will ensure all specifications comply with the Building Code of Australia and the permit. They will ensure any issues have been resolved and that the dwelling is suitable for occupation. Once this has been determined, the occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection is issued.