How Much Does a Building Information Certificate Cost in NSW?

If you’ve carried out building work without prior council approval, you may need to apply for a Building Information Certificate (BIC) to legalise it.

But how much does a BIC actually cost in NSW?

The answer depends on several factors, including property type, floor area and council-specific charges.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Base Fee for a BIC in NSW

The cost of a Building Information Certificate starts with a base application fee set under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

For residential development, the minimum fee is around $250 for buildings under 200m².

Larger structures can attract higher fees, up to $2,500 or more.

If you're applying for a commercial building, the cost can increase depending on the gross floor area.

These are council-set fees and are paid at the time of submission.

At Town Planning Sydney, we regularly advise clients on how to estimate BIC fees accurately, especially when submitting alongside a development application or DA approval request.

Knowing your projected costs helps you plan better.

2. Additional Council Charges and Inspection Fees

Many councils in NSW apply additional charges, such as inspection fees.

These can range from $100 to $400 depending on the local government area and the scale of the site.

In some cases, the council may request multiple inspections, especially if the structure has raised compliance concerns.

We recently worked with a client in the Inner West who had built a rear deck without council approval.

The BIC cost included the standard application fee, an inspection fee of $280 and an administration charge from council totalling around $900.

By engaging us early, the client avoided a formal DA and navigated the process smoothly with minimal additional expense.

3. Cost of Supporting Documentation

While the BIC itself has a defined application fee, the biggest costs often lie in preparing the supporting documents.

This includes site plans, architectural drawings, a planning consultant’s report and occasionally, a building report.

If you don’t have existing plans, you’ll need new drawings to current standards.

Town Planning Sydney provides in-house drafting, which not only ensures the plans are DA-compliant but also keeps costs predictable.

We also guide clients through NSW planning requirements to avoid unnecessary delays or resubmissions.

For a typical single-storey extension, you might expect to pay between $1,200 and $2,500 for drafting, reports and planning advice depending on complexity.

4. Do You Need a DA as Well?

If the structure cannot be regularised under a BIC alone, you may be required to lodge a full development application.

This changes the cost significantly, as it brings in DA approval fees, additional council notifications and further planning assessments.

In these cases, our role is to assess the risk and provide clear, honest advice.

As experienced planning consultants, we evaluate whether your project is likely to be accepted via a BIC or whether it would be better to proceed through the DA pathway.

This ensures you avoid unnecessary double-handling or spending on the wrong process.

5. Why You Should Plan Ahead

Understanding BIC costs upfront can save you from costly compliance issues later.

We’ve helped homeowners across NSW, from the Northern Beaches to the Blue Mountains, legalise everything from carports to attic conversions with minimal fuss.

Our town planning expertise helps keep your project within budget and aligned with NSW planning controls.

The key takeaway?

Yes, a BIC can be cost-effective compared to demolition or full redevelopment, but it’s not just a one-off fee.

You need to factor in inspections, professional documentation and possibly, additional planning advice.

A qualified planning consultant will help you make the right decision, especially if you’re dealing with sensitive sites or heritage-listed properties.