Plain English Summary
Two paths to approval — one through council, one that skips it entirely
NSW has a fast-track system called Complying Development (CDC) that lets standard new homes be approved by a private certifier without going to council. If your block and design tick all the boxes, you avoid the council queue entirely. If they don't, you go through a Development Application (DA) — which involves council, takes longer, and costs more. The difference between the two paths can be months of your life and thousands of dollars.
The three approval paths for a new home in NSW
Fastest
CDC — Fast-Track, no council involved
Your block is in a residential zone with no heritage, bushfire or flood overlays. Your design meets all state standards for setbacks, height and floor area. A private certifier approves it in around 20 working days. No neighbours notified. No council delays.
Longer path
DA — Council Approval Required
Your block has a heritage, bushfire or flood overlay, or your design can't meet CDC standards. You lodge with council. Neighbours are notified. Assessment takes 8 to 16 weeks minimum. Gives you more design flexibility but costs more time and money.
Check first
Not permitted in your zone
Some zones don't allow new dwellings at all — rural, environmental, or certain business zones. Check your zoning before spending anything on design. The ReadyBuild tool does this in 2 minutes.
What your block needs to qualify for fast-track approval
Residential zoning
R1, R2, R3, R4 or RU5 — most suburban blocks qualify
Required
Minimum lot size
200m² minimum under the state code — but your local LEP may require more
200m²+
Maximum building height
Single storey capped at 8.5m, two storey also 8.5m to the highest point
8.5m max
Setbacks from boundaries
Front, side and rear setbacks are strictly defined — your designer must meet all of them exactly
Strict
No heritage listing
Heritage listed land or conservation areas cannot use the CDC pathway
Required
No bushfire overlay
Bushfire-prone land is excluded from the fast-track path
Required
No high-risk flood overlay
High flood risk land requires a DA — lower risk land may still qualify
Required
BASIX certificate
Every new home in NSW needs a BASIX energy and water compliance certificate — mandatory regardless of approval path
Mandatory
The most common CDC mistake: designing a new home before checking if the block qualifies. One overlay or one zoning issue closes the CDC path entirely, sending you back to DA with expensive redesign costs. Check your block first — it takes 2 minutes with the ReadyBuild tool.
The full approval journey — step by step
1
Check your block eligibility
Confirm zoning, overlays and lot size before spending anything on design. Free on the NSW Planning Portal or use ReadyBuild.
Day 1 — free
2
Engage a designer and get your plans drawn
For CDC, your designer must hit every standard exactly — setbacks, height, floor area, BASIX. One miss sends you back to DA. For DA, you have more design freedom but more documentation required.
Weeks 1 to 6 typically
3
Lodge your CDC or DA
CDC goes to a private certifier via the NSW Planning Portal. DA goes to your local council. Both require plans, BASIX certificate, and supporting documentation.
Week 6 to 8
4
Approval issued
CDC: 20 working days from a complete application. DA: 8 to 16 weeks minimum. Incomplete documentation pauses the clock on both.
CDC: week 10 — DA: week 14 to 24
5
Construction Certificate then build
Before your builder can start, a Construction Certificate is required. This confirms the detailed plans comply with the Building Code of Australia.
Before slab goes down
6
Occupation Certificate
When construction is complete, your certifier inspects and issues an Occupation Certificate. You cannot legally move in without it.
End of build
What does new home approval actually cost in NSW?
Item
CDC path
DA path
Certifier or council fee
$2,500–$6,000
$3,000–$15,000+
BASIX certificate
$300–$600
$300–$600
NSW Planning Portal fee
$250–$500
$250–$500
Construction Certificate
$800–$2,000
$800–$2,000
Section 7.11 contribution
$5,000–$30,000
$5,000–$30,000
Occupation Certificate
$400–$900
$400–$900
Designer or architect fees
$8,000–$25,000+
$12,000–$40,000+
Approval fees only. Build costs are separate and depend on your design, size, finishes and builder. Use the ReadyBuild cost estimator for a full breakdown.
Find out which path applies to your block
Answer 5 plain English questions. ReadyBuild tells you whether you need a CDC, DA, or something else — and what it will cost. Free. Takes 2 minutes.
Check my block nowCommon questions about new home approval in NSW
Can I build a new home on a 300m² block in NSW?⌄
Possibly. The state CDC code requires a minimum of 200m² but your local council's LEP may require a larger minimum lot size for your zone. Check your specific council's LEP rules before designing anything. The ReadyBuild tool will flag this based on your suburb.
Do I need a BASIX certificate for a new home in NSW?⌄
Yes — every new home in NSW requires a BASIX certificate regardless of whether you use CDC or DA. BASIX assesses your home's energy and water efficiency targets. Your designer generates this online and it must be lodged with your approval application. Cost is typically $300 to $600.
What happens if my design doesn't meet CDC standards?⌄
You have two options: redesign to comply with the CDC standards, or switch to a DA and go through council instead. CDC is a pass or fail assessment — if one standard isn't met, the certifier cannot issue the certificate. This is why checking CDC eligibility before designing saves significant time and money.
Can I build a two storey home under CDC in NSW?⌄
Yes. Two storey homes can use the CDC pathway as long as the overall building height stays under 8.5m, setbacks are met, and the floor space ratio complies with your zone. Two storey adds roughly 15 to 25% to build costs per square metre compared to single storey.
How do I check if my land is heritage or bushfire affected?⌄
Search your address free at planningportal.nsw.gov.au — it shows all overlays including heritage, bushfire, flood and biodiversity. Takes about 5 minutes. Or use the ReadyBuild checker and it guides you through this step if you are unsure.
Do I need a demolition approval before building a new home?⌄
If there is an existing structure on the block, yes. Demolition requires its own approval in NSW — either as part of your CDC or as a separate complying development or DA. Heritage listed structures have much stricter demolition rules. Always confirm demolition approval separately before starting.
Can I build a new home in Newcastle or the Hunter region without council approval?⌄
Yes — Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the broader Hunter region all fall under NSW state planning rules. Most standard residential blocks in these areas qualify for the CDC pathway. Some older inner-Newcastle areas with heritage overlays will need a DA. The ReadyBuild tool checks your specific suburb.