Using Council as your Certifier

Choose Council as your Principal Certifier

A Development Consent (whether through a Development Application or Complying Development Certificate) does not authorise building work to occur until a Principal Certifier has been appointed for the development.    

What is a Principal Certifier?  

A Principal Certifier (PC) must be is appointed before any building work begins. The PC is responsible for:  

  • conducting critical stage inspections of the development 

  • ensuring compliance with the development consent 

  • investigating any non-compliances with the development 

  • issuing a Written Direction Notice within 2 business days of becoming aware of any non-compliance

  • ensuring compliance with the Building Code of Australia

  • assessing and issuing the Occupation Certificate 

Council or a private Registered Certifier can be appointed as the PC for building work. NSW Fair Trading maintains a Public Register of Registered Certifiers that includes the contact information of all private Registered Certifiers.

Please complete the form below to request a fee estimate for Council’s certification services.

Request a fee estimate for Council certification services

You must appoint a Principal Certifier via the NSW Planning Portal. Follow the NSW Government’s step-by-step user guide for lodging an application.