If you're planning a development that will need approval, check the requirements for finding and appointing a certifier.
A principal certifier can be:
- a registered building surveyor
- your local council or
- a registered body corporate (certification company).
You choose who you’ll engage as a certifier. Your builder is not allowed to appoint the certifier or influence your choice of a certifier.
Your contract with the certifier must be accompanied by the information sheet about the role of certifiers and your responsibilities as the applicant.
What the certifier does
The principal certifier:
- oversees the development’s construction phase and
- completes mandatory building inspections, known as critical stage inspections, to make sure that building standards are met.
Once building work has finished, the principal certifier will complete final inspections and may issue the final occupation certificate if all requirements have been satisfied.
Checks to complete
Before appointing a registered certifier:
- check that the certifier has the right class of registration for the work and read the conditions, if any, on their registration
- make sure their registration and insurance are current on the building certifiers public register
- look up the certifier’s name on the disciplinary register to see if any actions have been taken against them
- carefully read the contract for certification work.
For more information about the types of development certificate:
- contact your local council or
- visit the planning portal.
More information
To find out about certifiers, enforcement powers, how to replace a certifier and resolving concerns about a certifier, visit the NSW Fair Trading website:
NSW Fair Trading regulates certifiers but does not mediate in contract disputes and does not regulate the actions of councils.
Note: It is a serious offence to attempt to bribe or influence a certifier, attracting a maximum penalty of $110,000 and/or two years imprisonment.
Contact agency: Building Commission NSW