Before applying for a building permit, you need to appoint a building surveyor.

Local councils and private building surveyors can issue building permits, undertake inspections and issue occupancy permits/certificates of final inspections. Whitehorse Council does not currently offer a Building Permit Service at this point in time.

1. Select a Registered Surveyor: Use the BPC "Find a practitioner" tool or the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) website.
2. Formalise Appointment: You will likely need to sign a professional service contract.
3. Council Notification: The appointed PBS must notify the local council within seven days.

For more information, phone the Building Unit on 9262 6303. 

Providing the Correct Information

Your building surveyor will advise you which documents to submit which may include, though not limited to:

• Evidence that your builder is registered with the Building Practitioners Board if your project is worth more than $10,000. If the work is worth more than $16,000, you will also need to show evidence that your builder has the correct insurance. You can check if your building practitioner is registered by searching on the Building and Plumbing Commission website.
• Plans drawn to professional standard.
• A copy of the current certificate of title for the land (a certificate of title can be downloaded from Landata issued within the last 3 months. Information to assist in this process is available at Request a Copy of Title.
• A copy of the planning permit, if required.

If your building project does not meet a siting requirement of the Building Regulations 2018, your building surveyor will inform you to obtain a report and consent from Council before a building permit can be issued. 

If all the information you provide is accurate and complete the building surveyor will either approve or refuse the building permit. If your permit application is refused, you can choose to amend the design to comply with Building Legislation and a new building permit application would need to be lodged with the same private building surveyor.

Inspections are an integral part of the building permit process and occur at key points during the construction and development project. 

Sometimes your building surveyor will issue instructions to your builder as a result of one of these inspections. Any direction from your building surveyor should be in writing and your builder must follow that advice.

If you are an owner-builder, you will need to contact your building surveyor and organise these inspections yourself.

The mandatory inspections will be included on your Building Permit.

Once a building project is complete, following a written application from the agent or owner, the appointed Building Surveyor will undertake the final inspection and depending on the nature of the project issue either:

• an occupancy permit or
• a certificate of final inspection.

In order to get this certificate or permit, your building surveyor may require certificates from tradesmen on the project, such as:

• A plumbing certificate
• A glazing certificate
• An electrical certificate
• An insulation certificate
• A termite certificate, if in a termite area

It is essential you obtain a copy of either the occupancy permit or the certificate of final inspection, as this signifies that you can legally occupy the building. You should retain this certificate in case you are ever asked for it. 

During a building project, a dispute may arise between the builder and home owner(s). If you become involved in such a dispute, you should attempt to resolve the issue directly with the other party before taking any further action.

If you are a homeowner, please view information on how to address a building dispute on the Building disputes, defects and delays page on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.

If you are a builder, please view the dispute resolution information on the Builders and tradespeople page on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.

If the issue remains unresolved after you attempt to resolve it on your own, you can visit the Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) website to lodge an online application for dispute resolution. DBDRV provide building dispute resolution without the cost and time often associated with courts and tribunals, and has the power to issue legally binding dispute resolution orders and certificates.

An owner-builder is someone who takes responsibility for domestic building work carried out on their own land. An owner-builder is responsible for:

• obtaining building permits,
• supervising or undertaking the building work, and
• ensuring the work meets building regulations and standards.

Some of the obligations of an owner-builder last for six and a half years after completion of the building work.

If the value of the domestic building work to be undertaken is more than $16,000 you must have a certificate of consent from the VBA to be an owner-builder.

Refer to the BPC for further information about owner-builder obligations.

There are a number of other permits you may require associated with your proposed work. 

If your proposed work is likely to affect Council assets such as drains, roads, footpaths, or streetscape features.

Developments may need some or all of the following permits, depending on the project.

Stage 1: Before Construction

• Planning Permit
• Apply for Stormwater (Point of Discharge) Report
• Approval of Civil Plans (where appropriate): Drainage ( PDF 331.15KB) or Subdivision ( PDF 327.26KB)
• Building Over Easement
• Flood Levels

Stage 2: During Construction

• Asset Protection Permit
• Vehicle Crossing Permit
• Drainage Permit
• Utility Connections and Works by Authorities

Stage 3: After Construction Works Are Complete

• Final Inspection and Refund of Bond/s (contact Engineering Administration on 9262 6177)
• Drainage Policy No. 1 Applications ( PDF 80.62KB) (where applicable)