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Occupation Certificate

An Occupation Certificate is issued by the appointed Principal Certifier for a development and grants approval for the use or occupation of a building. It is required for any new building work or change of use of a building with development consent or a Complying Development Certificate.

There are two points at which an Occupation Certificate can be issued:

• Generally, the issue of the Occupation Certificate concludes the development process. An Occupation Certificate allows the occupation or use of a new building (including alterations or extensions), or the new use of an existing building following a change of its use.
• An Occupation Certificate can also be issued to allow either the occupation or use of a partially completed building, or of a new use of part of an existing building resulting following a change of its use. Prior to 2018 this was called an Interim OC. An Occupation Certificate for the entire building is still required when all building work or the change of use is complete.

Depending on the details of the Occupation Certificate sought, the Principal Certifier must be satisfied the development meets various regulatory standards. These generally include that:

• A development consent is in force.
• The design and construction of the building is not inconsistent with the development consent.
• Any pre-conditions set out in the consent or requirements of planning agreements have been satisfied.
• A Construction Certificate has been issued.
• The building is suitable for occupation (in accordance with its Building Code of Australia classification).