DA Approval Sydney — Development Application Architects

Do I need a DA for my project?

If your proposal doesn't meet the exempt development criteria and can't fully comply with a Complying Development code, you need a DA from your local council. This typically includes duplexes, townhouses, secondary dwellings on constrained lots, alterations in heritage conservation areas, and most commercial works.

Unsure which pathway applies? Send us your address and we'll check your LEP, DCP and SEPP controls and tell you the fastest approval route — DA, CDC or exempt.

Typical DA costs and timelines in NSW

Ranges reflect typical NSW market pricing — giantA provides a fixed written quote after reviewing your site constraints.

Why choose giantA for your Development Application

• Registered Design Practitioner — Class 2, 3 and 9c regulated buildings under the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Scheme
• Open Rise accreditation — all NCC building classes
• BASIX & NatHERS certification in-house — no coordination delays
• Track record across Parramatta, Cumberland, Canterbury-Bankstown and wider Sydney councils

Because we draft, certify energy compliance and coordinate consultants under one roof, your DA package arrives complete the first time — fewer RFI letters, faster determinations.

Our DA process — 4 steps

1. Feasibility: site and planning-control check, approval-pathway advice (DA vs CDC)
2. Preliminary design: concept plans, 2D drawings and 3D visualisations for your sign-off
3. Documentation: full DA package — plans, BASIX/NatHERS, SEE coordination, consultant reports
4. Lodgement & follow-up: NSW Planning Portal lodgement, RFI responses, determination

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between DA and CDC approval in NSW?

A Development Application (DA) is assessed by your local council against the LEP and DCP and typically takes 6–16 weeks. A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is assessed by a private certifier against a fixed code and is usually issued in 2–4 weeks. A CDC is only available if your project fully complies with the SEPP code.

How much does a Development Application cost in Sydney?

Across NSW, architectural documentation for a DA typically ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 for a single dwelling and $8,000 to $20,000+ for duplex or multi-unit projects, before council fees. Council DA fees are set by regulation and usually add $1,500–$5,000 depending on estimated construction cost.

How long does DA approval take in NSW?

Most NSW councils take 6–16 weeks to determine a DA. Complex sites, heritage items or neighbour objections can extend this to 6+ months. Well-prepared documentation with complete BASIX, NatHERS and consultant reports reduces Requests for Information and shortens the timeline.

Can giantA prepare and lodge my DA for me?

Yes. giantA prepares the full DA package — architectural plans, Statement of Environmental Effects coordination, BASIX certificate, and consultant coordination — and lodges it via the NSW Planning Portal as your agent. You stay informed at every stage.

What documents do I need before starting a DA?

Typically you need a recent Survey Plan (Section 10.7 certificate recommended), title details, and a clear brief of your proposal. For most residential projects the DA also requires architectural plans, BASIX certificate, NatHERS assessment, and a Statement of Environmental Effects.

What happens if my DA is refused?

You can modify the design and re-lodge (Section 8.2 review), appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court, or redesign for a CDC pathway if the site qualifies. Most refusals are resolved by redesign — which is why early feasibility analysis matters.