Interior Fit-Out Design Sydney

Fit-out services across every NCC building class

We design fit-outs for every NCC classification — not just commercial offices. The class determines which approval pathway, accessibility standard and consultant team is required.

For new standalone buildings see our Class 1b boarding house, Class 2 apartment, Class 3 motel, Class 5 office, Class 6 retail, Class 7–8 industrial, Class 9a health, Class 9b childcare and Class 9c aged care building design services.

What's included in a fit-out design package

• Space planning & test-fit — tenancy layout, workstation or bed count, circulation, accessibility compliance (AS 1428)
• Services coordination — mechanical (HVAC), hydraulic, electrical, fire detection, EWIS, security, medical gases (9a) or commercial kitchens (6 hospitality)
• Finishes schedule — partitions, flooring, ceilings, joinery, signage, infection-control or dementia-friendly selections where required
• Compliance documentation — Section J energy report, fire engineering performance solutions, acoustic separation, accessibility statement
• Approvals — CDC documentation, DA lodgement via NSW Planning Portal, certifier liaison, sector approvals (NSW Health, DoE, liquor & gaming where applicable)
• Construction certificate support — respond to certifier RFIs, coordinate with builder and base-building consultant

Costs and timeline

Do I need a DA for my fit-out?

Most office and retail fit-outs in existing buildings do NOT need a DA. If your tenancy is in a building that's already approved for the same class of use, and your fit-out doesn't change the use, increase floor area, or alter fire egress, the work is usually Exempt Development or Complying Development (CDC) — approved by a private certifier in 2–4 weeks.

You DO need a DA when:

• Changing the building class (e.g., shop → childcare, retail → medical, warehouse → gym)
• Increasing gross floor area (mezzanines, extensions)
• Adding outdoor dining, signage visible from street, or changes to the facade
• The fit-out triggers fire upgrades (new exits, fire compartment changes)
• Liquor licence, late-night trading, or food premises requiring council consent
• The use moves into a regulated class (9a medical, 9b childcare/assembly, 9c aged care)

giantA confirms the approval pathway in a free 30-minute feasibility consult — before you commit to lease terms.

How giantA delivers fit-outs

1. Site feasibility & test-fit — measure existing shell or tenancy, code check against NCC/BCA, confirm approval pathway, draft block plan
2. Concept design — 3D layout, finishes palette, services strategy, fixed-fee proposal
3. Design development — coordinated architectural + services + structural documentation
4. Approvals lodgement — CDC via private certifier OR DA via NSW Planning Portal, plus any sector approvals (NSW Health, DoE)
5. Construction certificate + tender — certifier RFIs, builder tender pack, contract admin support during build
6. Occupation certificate handover — final inspections, defect period support

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an interior fit-out cost in Sydney?

Office fit-outs: $750 – $1,750 per m² built cost. Retail: $1,000 – $2,250 per m². Medical/childcare: $1,500 – $3,000+ per m². Design fees are typically $40 – $125 per m² for design-only, or 5–8% of construction cost. giantA provides a fixed-fee proposal after a free feasibility consult.

How long does a fit-out take from design to occupation?

Office fit-out (CDC path): 8–14 weeks total (2 weeks design + 2–4 weeks CDC + 4–8 weeks build). Retail/hospitality: 12–20 weeks. Medical or childcare (DA path): 6–12 months including sector approvals (NSW Health, Department of Education). Fast-track is possible on small tenancies with pre-approved base-building services.

Do I need development approval for an interior fit-out?

Most fit-outs in existing buildings with no change of use are Exempt or CDC — no DA required. You need a DA when the building class changes, floor area increases, fire egress is altered, or the use moves into a regulated class (9a, 9b, 9c). We confirm at feasibility stage before you sign the lease.

What's the difference between a fit-out and a refurbishment?

A fit-out fits out a vacant shell or new tenancy — new partitions, services, finishes, joinery. A refurbishment upgrades an existing occupied space — replacing finishes, refreshing services, often while the tenant remains. Fit-outs usually trigger CDC or DA; like-for-like refurbishments may be Exempt Development.

Can you design fit-outs for any building class?

Yes — Class 1b (boarding house) through to Class 9c (aged care), including Class 5 office, 6 retail, 7–8 industrial, 9a medical and 9b childcare. Each class has different compliance triggers: office and retail most often use CDC; medical, childcare and aged care typically require DA plus sector approvals (NSW Health, DoE) and RDP sign-off under the DBP Act when part of larger regulated buildings.

Can you coordinate with my builder or do you only design?

Both. giantA provides design-only packages (you tender to your own builder) or design + contract administration (we manage the build tender, assess progress claims, and inspect defects through to occupation certificate). Most commercial tenants use design-only and bring their own builder; larger institutions prefer full contract admin.