Building Classifications

Buildings and structures have different classifications under the Building Code of Australia which are explained as follows:

Class 1a: Single dwelling, being a detached house or one of a group of two or more attached dwellings separated by a fire resisting wall.

Class 1b: Boarding house, a guest house, a hostel or the like.

Class 10a: Non-habitable building being a private garage, carport, shed, patio roof or the like.

Class 10b: Structure being a fence, mast, retaining or free standing wall, swimming pool, water storage tank, soak wells or the like.

Class 10c: Bush fire shelter.

Class 2: Building containing 2 or more sole-occupancy units each being a separate dwelling.

Class 3: Residential building or that part of, other than a Class 1 or 2 for unrelated persons being a motel, hotel, back packers hostel and other similar accommodation.

Class 4: Dwelling in a building that is a Class 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 if it is the only dwelling in the building.

Class 5: Office building used for commercial purposes, excluding buildings of Class 6, 7, 8 or 9.

Class 6: Shop or other building used for the sale of goods by retail or supply of services direct to the public.

Class 7a: Carpark.

Class 7b: Building used for storage, or display of goods or produce for sale by wholesale. 

Class 8: Laboratory, or a building used for the process for the production, assembling, altering, repairing, packing, finishing, or cleaning of goods or produce is carried out for trade, sale or gain. 

Class 9a: Public health care building. 

Class 9b: Public assembly building being a laboratory, school or the like but excluding any other parts of the building that are of another Class.

Class 9c: Aged care building.

Certified applications

A Certified Application is where the builder or applicant has engaged a registered independent building surveyor to complete a Certificate of Design Compliance which must accompany the certified building application using a Form BA1.

If this application is correct and complete, the Building Permit Authority has 10 business days to approve or reject your application.  Applications for Class 1a and 10 may be lodged as either Certified or Uncertified Applications.

Application Form BA1 (Building Commission)

Certificate of Design Compliance (Building Commission)

A Certificate of Design Compliance can be signed by any registered building surveyor with appropriate qualifications.  Local governments will continue to provide this service for uncertified applications.  The following provides a list of registered building surveyors.

Uncertified applications

An Uncertified Application can be only submitted for Class 1a and 10 residential buildings using a Form BA2.

Once your application is submitted, the Permit Authority will assess compliance with the Building Code of Australia and complete the relevant Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) before it can grant a Building Permit.  The Permit Authority has 25 business days to approve or reject your application.

For a timely approval, it is important to ensure plans and specifications submitted with your application demonstrate compliance with the Building Code of Australia and all other relevant approvals have been obtained before your application is submitted.

Application Form BA2 (Building Commission)

Uncertified Class 1 Checklist

Uncertified Class 10 Checklist