Planning
What is a planning certificate?
Every state and territory in Australia provides a form of official planning certificate or property report that outlines the legal and environmental constraints affecting a parcel of land. These documents are essential for understanding what you can build, what restrictions apply, and whether your site is suitable for development. While the purpose is consistent nationwide, the name, issuing authority, and format vary depending on where you are.
| State/Territory Name of Certificate/Report Issued By What’s Included How It’s Used |
| New South Wales | Section 10.7 Planning Certificate | Local council | Zoning, overlays (bushfire, flood), heritage listings, State and Local planning instruments (SEPPs, DCPs) | Required for most DAs; essential for due diligence before purchase |
| Victoria | Planning Property Report | Dept. of Transport & Planning | Zoning, overlays, local planning scheme clauses | Free online for due diligence; more detailed versions for formal applications |
| Queensland | Planning Certificate (Planning Act) | Local council | Three levels: zoning, overlays, constraints (flood, bushfire), existing approvals | Choice of detail for buyers and applicants; required for DAs |
| South Australia | Land Use Enquiry / PlanSA resources | PlanSA (State authority) | Zoning, overlays, heritage, development plan info | Research before buying/applying; not a formal certificate |
| Western Australia | Planning Certificate | Local council | Zoning, land use permissions, restrictions/conditions under Planning & Development Act | Required for major applications; confirms land use rights |
| Tasmania | Planning Certificate | Local council | Zoning, overlays, constraints, planning scheme details | Required for DAs; due diligence before purchase |
| ACT | Territory Plan info, Lease and Title Docs | ACT Government | Zoning, land use, lease conditions (leasehold system) | Online info for due diligence; lease/title docs for rights/approvals |
| Northern Territory | Development Enquiry / NT Planning Scheme | NT Planning Authority | Zoning, overlays, permitted uses, local planning guidelines | No formal certificate, rely on enquiry and online planning tool |
Bottom line: Every state and territory has its own version of a planning certificate or property report. These documents are essential for due diligence, development approval, and avoiding costly surprises. If you're buying or building, always request the relevant certificate for your location, and consult your local council or planning authority to interpret it correctly.