A building approval is required before starting construction on most types of domestic building work, this includes but is not limited to remodeling work, extensions or renovating.  This is applicable if you are doing it yourself or employing the services of a licenced builder.

Building approvals can be obtained from either Council's Building Certification team or a Private Building Certifier.

Please follow this link to carry out an Online Licence Search at the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website.  This lets you search for a: QBCC Licensee, Building Certifier, Owner Builder, Building and Construction Industry Payments Agency, and Industry Related Searches all from the one place.

Approval of domestic building work

Building Certifiers must be licensed with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. Building certifiers are responsible for assessing whether proposed building work complies with all relevant provisions of the Building Act 1975 and associated standards.

Building Certifiers will also be able to advise whether a Building Approval is required.  Some minor building work may be self-assessable or exempt.

Some aspects of domestic building work such as land use restrictions, maximum height, setback or character of a building may be controlled under the Council Planning Scheme, and an additional permit may be required.

Things you need:

As a guide the following checklist should be used to assist with collating the required documentation for lodgement:

Lodgement Checklist for Building Applications:
Building Application Lodgement Checklist

Swimming Pools Checklist:
Domestic Application Lodgement Checklist for Swimming Pools and Pool Fence (PDF, 482 kb) (PDF, 650.6 KB)

Inspection timing

The building approval will state which inspections are required and at what stages of construction.

Supervision and quality

It is the shared responsibility of the contractor and owner to ensure the quality of building work is carried out to an acceptable standard.

Further information

Were you looking for information about lodging a Development Application within Ipswich.

Council's Certification Service

Council's building certification team, is always willing to help you with any Building related enquiries you might have about works you are planning or are currently undertaking.

Our Building Certification team is based in our Ipswich office.

For Certification enquiries please contact our friendly Building Team on:

T | 07 3810 6666 E | PlanDev@ipswich.qld.gov.au F | 07 3281 7085

Office hours Monday to Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm excluding public holidays.

Street Address | Ground Floor, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
Postal Address | Building Team - PO Box 191, Ipswich QLD 4305 Australia.