The following frequently asked questions should provide relevant information to help you with your building application and the building process.
In most circumstances building work will require a permit from your local Council. Also please note that your building work may require planning and plumbing permits prior to the granting of your building permit.
It is your responsibility as the property owner to ensure that a building permit is in place prior to commencement of any building work. A building permit may not be required if you can provide certification from a building surveyor that the work consists of minor alterations or repairs.
If you believe a building permit is not required you should seek written confirmation from a building surveyor prior to commencing any works. Please note substantial penalties apply to persons undertaking building work without a permit.
The Building Act 2000, along with the Building Regulations 2004 and Plumbing Regulations 2004 are new laws regulating building and plumbing work in Tasmania. These laws and codes apply to everyone who undertakes building and plumbing work.
The following links detail the Building Act 2000 and Building Regulations 2004.
The link to Workplace Standards Tasmania (Department of Justice) provides an introduction into the regulation of building and plumbing work in Tasmania.
Supporting the Building Act 2000 and the Building Regulations 2004 are a number of specified forms that standardise applications for building works and required certificates.
For your convenience the following links provide a quick access to the most commonly requested application forms.
A temporary occupancy permit may be required for temporary structures (for example, tents or stages) or for buildings being adapted for occupation or activities that modify its original approval.
The following advisory notes and news updates are issued to assist in the interpretation of Tasmanian building legislation and to keep the Building Industry informed of developments occurring with the Building Code of Australia and its reference documents.
If the building work requires a building permit, and the value of the works exceeds $5000.00, then the contractor responsible for the building work must be an accredited building practitioner. "Building work" includes the design, construction and assessment of the work, and includes demolition.
Within the building permit process an owner/builder is an owner of a property that takes on the responsibilities of the builder. To be an owner/builder you need to meet a certain criteria and understand both your obligations and restrictions. Below are links to the useful information regarding the responsibilities and obligations of being an owner/builder.
As at 1st April 2009 the new Owner Builder declaration form 34 is required.
Please Note: For all owner builder applications the original of this declaration must be provided to the Permit Authority (Council) when applying for the building permit. Owner builder work over $5,000 on any Class 1-9 building requires registration. Owner builder work less than $5,000 or on any Class 10 building does not need registration. One copy of this declaration is to be completed, signed and given to your building surveyor so that your application for owner builder registration can be processed.
Warning: it is an offence for any person other than an appropriately accredited builder or an owner builder to manage or carry out the work of a builder. Building work carried out or managed by an owner builder may be subject of an audit by the Director of Building Control.
To find out the full facts about the requirements for owner builders you need an Owner Builder Kit which includes information and guidelines that all intending owner builders must read before applying for pre-registration.
As from 1st July 2008 the mandatory insurance requirement has been removed from the Housing Indemnity Act 1992 therefore Housing Indemnity Insurance is no longer required.
However, for further information please refer to the attached Consumer Guide produced by Department of Justice. Web: www.consumer.tas.gov.au
Buildings other than houses and outbuildings must be maintained to ensure their essential safety and health features. An owner must also publicly display an annual statement that the features and measures have been assessed by an appropriately qualified person and are performing to a standard to which they were originally designed.
The cost of a building permit is dependent on the value of works. As well as the cost of a building permit, you may be required to pay State Government levies. For more information, see our building fees and charges page. Building fees and levies are required to be paid when you lodge your building application.
As a result of the water and sewerage reforms the assessment of building and plumbing applications process has changed. When lodging a building and/or plumbing application you must have a Notice of Exemption or a Certificate of Certifiable Work from Southern Water.
If a building or plumbing application requires a Certificate for Certifiable Work, then Southern Water has to issue a Water and Sewerage Compliance Certificate before Council can issue a Certificate of Completion.
To contact Southern Water telephone 136 992 or visit their website.
