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Principal Certifying Authority

What is a Principal Certifying Authority and how to appoint one.

What is a Principal Certifying Authority?

- A Principal Certifying Authority can be either a private accredited certifier or the Bega Valley Shire Council. Private certifiers are professionals accredited by the Building Professionals Board. The Principal Certifying Authority ensures development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans, specifications and conditions listed in the development consent or Complying Development Certificate, and certifies that the construction is in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 No 203 - NSW Legislation.

Frequently asked questions

Click on a question to see the answer.


It is up to whoever is building or developing to decide whether to use Council or a private accredited certifier. Once chosen the Principal Certifying Authority must remain the same throughout the construction process.

Please note though that a Principal Certifying Authority is not formally appointed until after a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate has been issued.

Even though a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate is issued by either Council or a private certifier it is not until the certificate has been issued that a Principal Certifying Authority is appointed.

This means that if Council issues a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate then a private certifier may still be appointed as the Principal Certifying Authority and vice versa.

A Principal Certifying Authority plays an integral role in the construction process, overseeing the project from the start of work through to the completion of the building, conducting inspections at each required stage. It is in the interests of all owners to sight the inspection results regardless of whether you use Council or an accredited certifier.

A Principal Certifying Authority is required:

  • To oversee the entire construction process from start to finish
  • To certify that all the conditions required by the development consent, Building Code of Australia and technical standards are complied with
  • Conduct inspections at each required critical stage of construction
  • Certify at each stage of inspection that the work is being carried out according to the development consent
  • Promptly advise the applicant, after each relevant inspection, of any outstanding work
  • To serve notices under section 121 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act if there is non-compliance with the terms of the Development Consent
  • Issue the Occupation Certificate and if required the Interim Occupation Certificate

If you choose a private accredited certifier as your Principal Certifying Authority you are required to notify Council in writing of who this is at least two days before work starts.  For more information on certifiers please go to the Building Professionals Board web site.

To nominate Council as your Principal Certifying Authority tick the appropriate box on the combined Development Application /Construction Certificate application form. If you want to change to a private certifier after the Construction Certificate is issued you will have to notify Council in writing at least two days before work starts as stated above.


Private certifiers cannot give authority to, or certify:

Subdivisions, Plumbing and Drainage works

For subdivision certificates the Principal Certifying Authority can only be Bega Valley Shire Council. 

You need to obtain approval from Council under Section 68 of the Local Government Act if you propose to carry out any of the following works:

  • Plumbing and drainage works associated with a new or existing building
  • Connection to any new or existing building to Council's reticulated sewerage system
  • Installation of an on-site effluent disposal system (septic tank)
  • Stormwater drainage works

Additional approvals

As well as a Construction Certificate you may need to gain additional approval for other work such as connecting to Council’s water and sewerage services or building a driveway. These additional approvals under Section 68 of the Local Government Act can only be authorised by Council. Work that will require additional approval is also listed in Council’s Application Guidelines.

These include:

  • Plumbing and drainage works associated with a new or existing building
  • Connection to any new or existing building to Council's reticulated sewerage system
  • Installation of an on-site effluent disposal system (septic tank)
  • Stormwater drainage works

Apply for additional approvals by ticking the additional approvals box on the Construction Certificate application form and then completing the additional forms. A list of all relevant forms is available here.  Note also that only Council is authorised to carry out plumbing and drainage inspections.

Payment of fees, contributions and the Long Service Levy

Go to Council’s Fees and Charges for costs involved in obtaining a Construction Certificate and other associated approvals. Please note that for construction costing $25,000 or more a Long Service Levy is also applicable and must be paid before a Construction Certificate can be issued. Fees can be paid to the Long Service Levy Payments Corporation either directly or through the Bega Valley Shire Council. This fee is charged at 0.35 per cent of the construction cost. Owner-builders and non-profit organisations may seek an exemption of up to 50 per cent. For further information on the Long Service Levy, please contact the Long Service Corporation on 13 14 41.

Notice of Commencement

Make sure Council is notified of the intended commencement of work at least two days prior to the start of any work.  This can be done by completing the Notice of Commencement Form and lodging the form with Council.

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

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