Bacchus Partners issues Occupation Certificates for completed residential, commercial and industrial projects across NSW, including Nowra, the Shoalhaven, Wollongong, Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Goulburn and surrounding regions.

An Occupation Certificate is the final approval in the building process. It authorises you to occupy and use a new building, or a new part of a building, once the work is complete and the certifier is satisfied it is suitable to occupy.

As your Principal Certifier, the team at Bacchus Partners carries out the final inspection, checks the required documentation, and issues your Occupation Certificate so you can move in and use the building.

The final step in your project

A building project moves through approval, construction and then occupation. The Occupation Certificate is that last step. It confirms the completed work meets the development consent and is suitable for occupation under its Building Code classification.

A new building cannot lawfully be occupied without one, so the Occupation Certificate is what turns a finished build into a building you can actually use.

Occupation Certificate by Bacchus Partners Shoalhaven

What is an Occupation Certificate?

An Occupation Certificate authorises the occupation and use of a new building, a new part of a building, or a building whose use is changing.

NSW Planning sets out the post-consent certificate process, and applications for an Occupation Certificate are lodged through the NSW Planning Portal to the Principal Certifier.

For an Occupation Certificate to be issued, the building must meet the development consent requirements and relevant regulatory standards, and be suitable for occupation in line with its Building Code classification.

When do you need an Occupation Certificate?

You need an Occupation Certificate when you:

  • complete a new building and want to occupy or use it
  • finish a new part of a building, where a partial certificate may apply
  • change the use of an existing building
  • need to satisfy a lender or insurer that the building is complete and approved

For staged work, a partial Occupation Certificate can be issued so you can occupy the completed part while work continues elsewhere.

Whole, Part and Partial Occupation Certificates

There are three situations worth understanding:

  • A Whole Occupation Certificate is issued once the whole of the building work is complete and the certifier is satisfied the building is suitable to occupy.
  • A Part Occupation Certificate is similar to a Whole Occupation Certificate and relates to part of a building. It is issued once the project is complete.
  • A Partial Occupation Certificate allows you to occupy the building or part, however parts of the new build are incomplete and must be complete within 5 years to obtain a full Occupation Certificate.

Which one applies depends on the project. Bacchus Partners can advise on the right approach for your build.

What is required before an Occupation Certificate can be issued?

Before an Occupation Certificate is issued, several things need to be in place. These generally include:

  • the final critical stage inspection, carried out by the Principal Certifier
  • satisfaction that the work meets the development consent and its conditions
  • confirmation that the building is suitable for occupation under its Building Code classification
  • any compliance declarations and regulated designs lodged on the NSW Planning Portal, where required
  • relevant certificates and documentation from the build, such as waterproofing, fire safety, structural and other sign-offs as applicable

Where compliance declarations note any instance of non-compliance, the Principal Certifier must consider these before deciding whether to issue the certificate. Getting this documentation in order as the build finishes is the best way to keep the final certificate on schedule.

How Bacchus Partners can help

Bacchus Partners helps homeowners, owner-builders, builders and developers complete the certification process and obtain their Occupation Certificate.

The team can:

  • act as your Principal Certifier through construction
  • carry out the final inspection of the completed work
  • confirm the documentation required for the Occupation Certificate
  • check the work against the consent and the relevant standards
  • issue your Occupation Certificate

What can delay an Occupation Certificate?

Most delays at the Occupation Certificate stage trace back to gaps earlier in the build. Common causes include:

  • a missed or incomplete critical stage inspection
  • outstanding conditions of the development consent
  • missing compliance declarations or regulated designs on the NSW Planning Portal
  • incomplete fire safety, waterproofing or structural documentation
  • work that does not match the approved plans
  • unresolved items from earlier inspections

The simplest way to avoid a hold-up at the end is to keep the inspections and documentation on track throughout the build, which is exactly what a Principal Certifier engaged early helps you do.

Local certification support across the Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Southern Highlands

Bacchus Partners is based in Nowra and Bomaderry and works with clients across the Shoalhaven, Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Goulburn and surrounding regions.

The team regularly issues Occupation Certificates for projects in areas such as Nowra, Bomaderry, Worrigee, Berry, Ulladulla, Kiama, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale and Goulburn.

Why choose Bacchus Partners?

Bacchus Partners has provided building certification since 1999. The business is family-owned and based in Nowra, with experience across residential, commercial and industrial projects.

Led by Paul Bacchus, an A2 accredited certifier with more than 25 years of experience, the team gives clear advice and responsive service right through to the final certificate that lets you use your building.

Related building certification services

Bacchus Partners can also assist with:

Frequently asked questions

What is an Occupation Certificate?

An Occupation Certificate authorises the occupation and use of a new building or part of a building, or a change of use of an existing building. It is the final step in the building approval process.

Can I occupy my new home without an Occupation Certificate?

No. A new building cannot lawfully be occupied until the Occupation Certificate is issued, which confirms the building is complete and suitable to occupy.

Who issues the Occupation Certificate?

Your Principal Certifier issues the Occupation Certificate after the final inspection and once the required documentation is in order. Bacchus Partners can act as your Principal Certifier and issue the certificate.

How do I avoid delays with my Occupation Certificate?

Delays usually come from a missed inspection, outstanding conditions of consent, or missing documentation from earlier in the build. Keeping inspections and paperwork on track throughout construction is the best way to avoid this.

Need an Occupation Certificate?

If your project is complete or nearing completion, Bacchus Partners can carry out the final inspection and issue your Occupation Certificate so you can occupy and use the building.

Send through your project details and the team will help clarify the next step. Contact Bacchus Partners or call 02 4421 3752.