Occupation Certificate

What is an Occupation Certificate?

The issuance of the Occupation Certificate (OC) is the last step in the formal DA and construction process. The OC is a certificate that allows an owner or occupier to legally live in or use a building. OCs indicate that a building is fit for use in accordance with its classification under the Building Code of Australia. An occupation certificate can only be issued by the PCA appointed for the building work.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need an Occupation Certificate (OC)?

You need an OC if you want to:

  • live in or use a new building, or
  • change the use of an existing building.

 

Who issues an OC?

The Occupation Certificate (OC) is issued by the Principal Certifier.

The principal certifier can be:

  • a registered building surveyor
  • your local council or
  • a registered body corporate (certification company).

The principal certifier:

  • carries out mandatory building inspections during the construction period
  • issues the development certificate when all requirements are met.

How do I apply for an OC?

The Occupation Certification application must be submitted online via the NSW Planning Portal.

  • Subsequent to a final inspection.

What are the eligibility requirements for an OC?

For an OC certificate to be issued, your building or development needs to:

  • Must meet regulatory standards and be suitable for its intended use according to its building classification
  • Ensure all the Conditions of Consent of the approvals have been satisfied.
  • If the application includes plumbing and drainage works, you will need to have acquired a Final Section 68 through Council

Note: If you're developing or building a class 2 building, make sure to let us know your plan to apply for an OC. Council requires 6  month's notice of your intention to apply for an OC.

What do I need to apply for an OC?

You will need to have the below information and documentation before you can apply for an OC.

Copies of documents for uploading, which may include but are not limited to:

  • Development Consent or Complying Development Certificate
  • Construction Certificate
  • Fire Safety Certificate
  • Compliance Certificate
  • Building Code of Australia (BCA) Compliance: All completed work must meet the standards of the BCA.
  • BASIX Certificate (NSW): In New South Wales, a Building Sustainability Index Certificate may be required to show that sustainable development requirements have been met.
  • Documentation specific to your application (as requested by council)
  • Your Planning Portal fee payment 

 

How do I apply for an OC?

  1. Submit your Occupation Certification via the NSW Planning Portal

Additional resource: Refer to the step-by-step guide to submitting your OC application -  How to submit an application for an OC.

 

Can I Apply for a Particial OC?

Yes.

  • A partial Occupation Certificate can be issued for staged projects/works. This certificate allows you to occupy the part of the building that’s been completed.
  • A whole OC is the final certificate for the entire building or completed development.

When do I need to apply for my final OC if I have been issued a partial OC?

If you apply for a Partial OC, you will need to reapply for a whole OC within 5 years to obtain the final version.

 

NSW Planning Portal

Apply for an Occupation Certificate pursuant to part 5 of the Environment Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021.

Online lodgement of Occupation Certificates is now mandatory via the NSW Planning Portal. 

Please use the link below to lodge your application:

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au

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