Building Permit Process Victoria: Step-by-Step

The Victorian building permit process is sequential. Skip a step and you can face delays, a building notice, or work that cannot be certified. Here is the path NEBA uses with clients across North East Victoria.

1. Confirm whether you need a permit

Check whether a building permit is required and whether a planning permit or report and consent applies to your site. Do this before ordering materials or starting demolition.

2. Appoint your relevant building surveyor (RBS)

The owner appoints the RBS. A builder or other party can do so on the owner's behalf only where properly authorised by the owner. NEBA is a private building surveying practice (NEBA Group Pty Ltd trading as North East Building Approvals). Once appointed, we become responsible for the permit and the mandatory inspections listed on it.

3. Prepare drawings and supporting documents

Assemble Form 1, architectural and structural drawings, insurance or owner-builder consent, and any site reports. Use our building permit checklist so the first lodge is complete.

4. Lodge the application

Submit the pack to NEBA. We assess the documents against the Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018 and the National Construction Code. If something is missing or non-compliant, we request further information rather than guessing.

5. Building permit issued

When the design is satisfactory and any required planning permission or report and consent is in place (Building Act s24), we issue the building permit. The permit states the mandatory notification stages and any conditions. Start work only after the permit is issued, unless the work is Schedule 3 exempt.

6. Build and notify at each stage

The builder (or person in charge) must notify the RBS at each mandatory stage. NEBA inspects before work proceeds past that stage. Typical prescribed stages include excavation/footing, in-situ reinforced concrete, frame and final, with additional stages (such as waterproofing) where your permit requires them. See mandatory inspections.

7. Final inspection and certificate

When the work is complete, we carry out the final inspection and issue an occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection as appropriate. Keep endorsed documents and certificates with your property records. Owner builders selling within 6.5 years may also need a section 137B report.

If work started without a permit

Stop and get advice. Retrospective approval is sometimes possible, but it is not automatic. Start with our illegal building works page and contact NEBA with photos and any existing drawings.

Start with NEBA

Based in Euroa, we issue permits and inspect across Mansfield, Wangaratta, Shepparton, Benalla, Wodonga, Albury and surrounding municipalities. Request a quote or call Darren on 0427 272 720.