Key words:
| Private Certifying Authority | PCA (usually called Certifiers) | |
| Development Application | DA (can only be issued by Council) | |
| Construction Certificate | CC (can be issued by Council or a PCA) | |
| Complying Development Certificate | CDC (issued by Council or a PCA) | |
| Development Control Plan | DCP (varies for all councils) | |
| Local Environmental Plan | LEP (varies for all councils) | |
| State Environmental Planning Policy | SEPP (state Government compliance) |
If lodging a Development Application (DA) with Council then you need to have the DA approved by council first and follow that with a Construction Certificate (CC).
It is crucial to be aware that you can only commence construction after the CC is approved, as constructing before you have CC approval is not legal.
A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is generally the equivalent of a DA + CC and hence the cost and documentation involved in the preparation/submission of a CDC is roughly equivalent to that of a DA + CC.
If lodging a submission as a CDC, ALL DOCUMENTATION needs to be prepared and submitted to the Certifying Body 100% upfront.
Council does not normally get involved in the assessment process for a CDC if you are engaging a Private Certifier, except under very special circumstances.