Time frames for building certifier registration application assessment
Building Commission NSW receives a high volume of building certifier registration applications. We aim to assess all applications as quickly as possible, while ensuring our decision making is fair and thorough.
Key information
- Applications need to be made to update details for existing registrations and for new, renewed and varied registrations.
- Every application is assessed against a set of criteria.
- Make sure you include everything in your application. The assessment time may increase if we need to ask you for more information.
- Assessment time frames vary and do not include waiting time for applicants to provide additional information if required.
- Applications may be refused for several reasons. It is an offence to provide a false statement or leave out information on an application.
Expected assessment times
Assessment time does not include waiting time for applicants to provide additional information if required.
We may need to contact you about your application. To help reduce delays in your application, please check your emails regularly (including spam) and make sure your contact details are up to date.
Application type | Expected assessment times |
|---|---|
Body corporate registration | 6 weeks |
Individual registration | |
Building inspector | 6 weeks |
Building surveyor - unrestricted | 6 weeks |
Building surveyor - restricted (all classes of building) | 6 weeks |
| Building surveyor - restricted (class 1 and 10 buildings) | 6 weeks |
| Swimming pool inspector | 6 weeks |
| Location of works/ strata/ subdivision | 6 weeks |
| All other classes of registration | 6 weeks |
| Other | |
Variation of conditions | 6 weeks |
| Renewal of individual registration | 6 weeks |
| Renewal of body corporate registration | 6 weeks |
Individual registration expired less than 90 days | 3 weeks |
| Mutual recognition | 1 month |
| Change of details | 2 weeks |
New or variation applications
This information is for new applications and applications to vary the conditions of your existing registration.
Applications are assessed against set criteria
Building Commission NSW will assess your application based on set criteria as outlined in the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018 and Building and Development Certifiers Regulation 2020.
This assessment includes consideration of:
- financial and criminal history
- disciplinary and compliance actions
- if the applicant is a suitable person to carry out certification work
Note: Make sure you include everything in your application. If you are required to provide additional information the assessment time may increase.
Find out if we have approved your application
Check your inbox for any emails from 'NSWBuildingCertifiers'
If your application is approved, we will email you an approval letter, certificate of registration and schedule of conditions (if applicable).
You can also check the:
to see if your application has been granted.
Do not start work until registration has been granted
Under the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018, it is an offence to carry out certification work unless a person is registered and the registration authorises the person to carry out the certification work.
If a valid mutual recognition notification has been lodged and no postponement has been issued, you can commence work. However, you must be covered by a compliant professional indemnity insurance policy.
Renewal applications lodged on or before expiry date
This information is for individuals or body corporates applying to renew their registration. As a courtesy we will email you a renewal reminder notice 30 days, 7 days and 2 days before your registration is due to expire.
- The registration remains in force until a decision is made and the registration holder is notified.
- You can continue to carry out certification work while a decision is pending.
- You can check your status on the Building Certifiers Public Register.
- The registration will show as current however the expiry date will remain unchanged until the registration is renewed.
- If the renewal is approved the expiry date will be updated.
- If the renewal is refused the registration will show as expired once the expiry date has passed.
Find out more about renewing your registration
Individual registration expired less than 90 days applications
If your individual registration expired in the last 90 days, you can lodge an application to reinstate your registration via the NSW Building Certifiers Portal.
Applications to reinstate your registration are only available for individual certifiers. Body corporate registrations are ineligible for reinstatement.
You can't carry out any certification work until you've been advised of the outcome of your application.
Change of detail applications
If you need to let us know of a change to your personal, business, employment or insurance details you can update your record via the NSW Building Certifiers Portal using the change of details form. This form must be submitted within 14 days of your details changing.
What happens if an application is refused
If your application is refused, we will notify you in writing, outlining the reason(s) for the refusal and your available options.
See a list of reasons an application may be refused
Review of decisions
For details about the internal review process see the reviews of Building Commission NSW decisions page.