The term building includes a fence, mast, antenna, retaining or freestanding wall, swimming pools, carport, pergola, garage, shed, dwelling, office, shop, factory, warehouse, public building and the like.
The Building Act provides for a permit authority (local government) to control the construction, occupation and demolition of buildings and incidental structures. This is done through the granting of permits and enforcing compliance.
Anyone can apply for a building permit, the owner; builder; designer; building surveyor or any other person. The applicant provides details of the person responsible for the work (i.e. the ‘builder’) in the application form. The ‘builder’ must sign under ‘Builder’s Details’ on the application form and takes responsibility for ensuring the construction complies with the applicable building standards and the provisions in the building permit. An application can be made for a building or one or more stages of a building.
Building Applications
There are two types of applications for a building permit:
- BA1 – Application for building permit – certified: require a Certificate of Design Compliance (BA3 Form) to be completed by a private Building Surveyor prior to being submitted to the Shire.
- BA2 – Application for building permit – uncertified: Certified by the Shire.
Other application forms can also be found at <link to new application forms page> or the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) website.
For information on relevant fees for Building Applications are set out in Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations 2012 – and summarised each year in Council’s Fees and Charges.
The following Guide to Building Approvals Process provides a more comprehensive view of the building applications process.
How to apply
Each class of building has different requirements but typically, along with the relevant application form, your application may need to include the following:
- Copy of home indemnity insurance policy (if registered builder, not applicable to Owner Builder)
- Builder’s registration details or Owner Builder Licence (more information on owner builders at DMIRS)
- Scale Drawings; 1:200 Site Plan including levels = FFL and FGL, 1:20 Sectionals, 1:100 Elevations.
- Engineered details (footing, slab, wall and roof).
- Site classification (soil type and wind classification).
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) site assessment report – only if in designated bushfire prone areas – check your property here.
- Energy Efficiency report (BCA compliant deemed to satisfy or alternative solutions provisions). For more information refer to Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings.
- Where applicable, Development Approval and Approval for an Effluent Disposal System (septic)
To view information on Building classes visit here.
For a comprehensive list of checklists, visit Application Forms & Checklists
You will need to download the application form (BA1 certified or BA2 uncertified) from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulations and Safety website.
Note: this payment is only required for construction estimated to be over $20,000.
The Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Levy applies to all residential, commercial and civil engineering projects undertaken in Western Australia, where the total value of construction is estimated to be more than $20,000.
You can pay the BCTIF levy online. Note, a copy of the receipt will need to be provided to the Shire with your application. Alternatively, you can pay for the levy in person at the Shire when you lodge your application and the PDF Levy Form will need to be completed (available at https://ctf.wa.gov.au/about-us/levy-collection).
The Shire of Mingenew receives Building applications electronically and this option is available to all our customers and residents. Although you may submit your application in person or by post all applications are assessed electronically and all approvals are sent out via email with an electronic copy being recorded by the Shire, in accord with the section 130 of the Building Act 2011.
- The Shire encourages you to lodge building applications electronically via the Shire e-mail address. Please submit a PDF version of your application with supporting documentation to building@mingenew.wa.gov.au.
- In Person. You may lodge an application over the front counter at our Administration Office at 21 Victoria Street, Mingenew WA 6522.
- By Post. You may lodge an application via post at PO Box 120, Mingenew WA 6522.
Payment:
All fees must be paid in full at the time of submitting an application. Payments can be made over the phone via credit card details or in person at the Shire of Mingenew Administration Office.
The minimum building permit fees for estimated value of works under $20,000 is $171.65.
For current fees for estimated value of works over $20,000 please refer to the DMIRS website.
Once building works have been completed the builder is responsible for lodging the Notice of Completion – BA7 form within seven days of completion of works.
Part 33 of the Building Act 2011 states:
The responsible person in relation to a permit must, within 7 days of completion of the work, or the stage of the work, for which the permit was granted, give notice of completion to a relevant permit authority. Penalty: a fine of $10 000.
A notice of completion must:
- Be in an approved form; and
- State that the work, or the stage of the work, for which the permit was granted, is completed; and
- Be accompanied by a copy of a certificate for each inspection or test mentioned in section 25(3)(h) or (4)(f) that applies to the permit.
Submission of your BA7 and relating documentation can be submitted by email to building@mingenew.wa.gov.au.