NSW Planning Portal Declared Design Guide
Understanding Declared Design Lodgements Under the NSW DBP Act
The NSW Planning Portal plays a critical role in the administration of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (DBP Act).
For projects involving regulated building work, declared designs and Design Compliance Declarations must generally be lodged on the NSW Planning Portal before construction commences.
Many builders, developers and consultants find the process confusing, particularly on projects involving multiple consultants and design variations.
This guide explains how declared designs work, what documents are required, and how the NSW Planning Portal fits within the DBP compliance process.
What Is a Declared Design?
A declared design is a regulated design accompanied by a Design Compliance Declaration prepared by a registered Design Practitioner.
The declaration confirms that the regulated design complies with:
the Building Code of Australia,
applicable Australian Standards,
and other relevant legislative requirements.
Declared designs form a mandatory part of the compliance framework under the NSW DBP legislation.
Which Projects Require Declared Designs?
Declared design obligations generally apply to:
Class 2 buildings,
buildings containing a Class 2 component,
Class 3 buildings,
and Class 9c buildings.
This commonly includes:
apartment buildings,
mixed-use developments,
seniors living projects,
boarding houses,
aged care facilities,
and certain remedial works.
What Types of Designs Must Be Declared?
Declared designs may include:
waterproofing systems,
facade systems,
structural elements,
fire safety systems,
architectural regulated designs,
and performance solutions.
The exact requirements depend on the scope and classification of the project.
When Must Declared Designs Be Lodged?
Declared designs must generally be lodged on the NSW Planning Portal before the relevant building work commences.
This is one of the most important compliance requirements under the legislation.
Building work involving regulated elements should not proceed until the required regulated designs and declarations have been properly lodged.
What Happens If Designs Change?
Construction-stage changes are common.
Where a regulated design changes, updated regulated designs and Design Compliance Declarations may also be required prior to construction proceeding.
Examples include:
waterproofing revisions,
facade changes,
structural modifications,
and performance solution updates.
These variations may also require updated NSW Planning Portal submissions.
Common NSW Planning Portal Challenges
Common issues include:
incomplete consultant declarations,
inconsistent documentation,
incorrect file coordination,
late-stage design changes,
and missing variation submissions.
On larger projects, coordination between consultants can become substantial.
Role of a Principal Design Practitioner
A Principal Design Practitioner may assist with:
declaration coordination,
consultant management,
Planning Portal lodgements,
variation tracking,
and regulated design administration.
This can significantly reduce compliance risk on complex projects.
How DBP Compliance Can Assist
DBP Compliance provides:
NSW Planning Portal coordination,
declared design management,
Principal Design Practitioner services,
and regulated design consultancy throughout NSW.
We assist builders, developers, architects and remedial consultants in managing the practical documentation and compliance obligations associated with the DBP legislation.