Do I need a DA?
What's a CDC?
How long will it take?
What will it cost? What do I need to do?
Which consultants do I need?
So you want to build something on your property? Welcome to the world of Australian planning regulations – where there are more layers than a good lasagne, and about as messy if you don't know what you're doing.
Australia's building rules are spread across more levels of government than you can poke a stick at. You've got the National Construction Code (NCC) at the top – that's the big-picture stuff about making sure buildings don't fall down or catch fire. Then each state chips in with their Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs).
Your local council then gets in on the action too, with their Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) – which tell you what you can and can't build in your area – and Development Control Plans (DCPs), which are basically the council's way of making sure your dream deck doesn't upset the neighbours.
Figuring out which forms to fill in, which council officer or consultant to talk to, and whether your plans will actually get approved can feel like you need a law degree and a crystal ball.
The whole system's a proper roadblock if you're not a planning expert – and let's face it, most of us just want to know if we can build the bloody thing or not.
DAPlanningmate is here
For Australians planning small–medium projects (houses, rennovations, pools, sheds, granny flats, driveways, internal walls), DAPlanningMate is the plain-English front door to DA/CDC rules—combining free, trustworthy content with address-specific packs, automation and low-maintenance tools, so you can move from from stuck to submitted.
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Know your path fast: Exempt vs CDC vs DA in minutes.
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Reduce rejections: Templates and checklists built from common refusal reasons.
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Save time & money: Only gather the documents you actually need.
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Stay current: We track council and state updates; you get living templates.
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Do it yourself, confidently: Friendly steps, screenshots, and examples—no jargon.
Most Aussies just want to add a shed, do a pool, or convert a garage—and hit a wall of council jargon. DAPlanningMate turns that into simple steps. We show if your project is Exempt, CDC or DA, then give you plain-English checklists, templates and a tailored DA Pack for your address and council. Less ping-pong, more progress.
DAPlanningMate shares well-researched, up-to-date planning guidance specific to your project, but it should not be relied upon as legal, planning, or professional advice.