In this guide
The stages and timing of a development application depends on its assessment pathway and the completeness of the application.
The final stage for all applications is development approval which is issued by a local council or the State Planning Commission.
Assessment stages
The typical stages of a development application requiring both planning consent and building consent are:
- Development application lodged
- Relevant authority may ask for more information (RFI)
- Referrals to agencies, if required
- Public notification, if required
- Planning assessment
- Planning decision
- Appeals, if relevant
- Building consent application initiated
- Building consent assessment
- Building decision
- Full development approval granted
- Building work commences
Timeframes in the new system
The new system under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 introduces new statutory timeframes in which a development must be assessed and approved.
Assessment timeframes in the new system (PDF, 339 KB)
All types of assessment will have a five business day verification period at the start and two business days at the end for the decision to be issued.
For performance assessed developments, time limits can be suspended if the assessment authority or referral agency asks the applicant to provide additional information.
Generally, 12 weeks is allowed for more information to be provided. The assessment 'clock' restarts when the information is received.
Assessment times for decisions will be published on the PlanSA, making the system more transparent and accountable.
Planning Consent
| Assessment type | Business days |
|---|---|
| Deemed to satisfy | 5 |
| Performance assessed - no public notification no referral | 20 |
| Performance assessed - no public notification with referral required assessment manager authority | 50 |
| Performance assessed - public notification required 15 business days for public notification and 15 business days for applicant response assessment panel or SCAP are authority | 70 |
| Restricted - public notification required 20 business days for public notification and 15 business days for applicant response | 95 |
Building consent
| Assessment type | Business days |
|---|---|
| Class 1 or 10 | 20 + 10 if referred to SCAP |
| Class 2 to 9 | 60 + 10 if referred to SCAP |
Land division consent
| Assessment type | Business days |
|---|---|
| Land division consent including encroachment or off-set | 60 |
