NSW residential certification
Occupation Certificates
An Occupation Certificate authorises a person to occupy or use a new building, or a building that has been altered. It is issued once the certifier is satisfied the building is suitable for occupation and the required evidence is in place.
Overview
The Occupation Certificate is the final step in the certification chain. Before it issues, the Principal Certifier must hold the documentation that demonstrates the building meets the relevant requirements, including evidence of the critical-stage inspections carried out during construction.
Assessment confirms that the development was built in accordance with the approval, that any fire-safety measures have been certified, and that the conditions of consent required to be satisfied before occupation have been met. For applicable building classes, compliance declarations under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 must be lodged before an OC can issue.
An Occupation Certificate is issued for the whole of a building, or for a part of it. A partial Occupation Certificate may be available where part of a building is complete and suitable to occupy ahead of the rest; a whole Occupation Certificate is issued once the development is complete and all requirements are satisfied. The earlier interim and final terminology no longer applies.
Typical timeline
Indicative only, as every project differs. We confirm the timeline for yours once complete documentation is held.
Final inspection
on completionThe final critical stage inspection is carried out before the Occupation Certificate.
Documentation
—Inspection records, certificates and declarations are assembled and checked.
Fire safety
as applicableA fire safety certificate is confirmed where the building requires one.
Consent conditions
—Pre-occupation conditions of consent are confirmed as satisfied.
Issue
on completionThe Occupation Certificate is issued for the building or part of the building.
Required documentation
What a complete application typically holds. Conditional items apply where the site or building triggers them.
| Document | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Critical-stage inspection records | Evidence of mandatory inspections during construction. | Required |
| Fire safety certificate | Where the building includes fire-safety measures. | Conditional |
| Compliance certificates | For specific elements as required by consent. | Conditional |
| Survey / works-as-executed | Confirming siting and levels as built. | Conditional |
| DBP Act declarations | Lodged on the Planning Portal for applicable building classes. | Conditional |
| BASIX completion | Confirmation of BASIX commitments for residential work. | Required |
Common issues and delays
Missed critical-stage inspections
An inspection not carried out at the required stage cannot be recreated later, and may prevent the OC from issuing without a remediation pathway.
Outstanding fire-safety certification
Without a current fire safety certificate, an OC cannot issue for a building that requires one.
Unsatisfied pre-occupation conditions
Consent conditions that must be met before occupation are a frequent final-stage hold-up.
Incomplete declarations
For applicable building classes, missing DBP declarations on the Planning Portal will prevent issue.
Frequently asked
What is an Occupation Certificate?
It authorises occupation or use of a new or altered building once the certifier is satisfied the building is suitable to occupy and the required inspections and certificates are in place.
Can I occupy before the OC issues?
No. Occupation of a new building requires an Occupation Certificate. Where part of a building is complete and suitable to occupy ahead of the rest, a partial Occupation Certificate may be available for that part.
Why can an OC be delayed?
The most common causes are missed critical-stage inspections, outstanding fire-safety certification and unsatisfied conditions of consent. Engaging the Principal Certifier early reduces these risks.
Ready to get started?
Approaching completion?
Talk to us before the final inspection. We will confirm exactly what is required for your Occupation Certificate to issue without delay.
We respond to enquiries within one business day.