What Is Certificate of Occupancy?

What Is a Certificate of Occupancy?

A certificate of occupancy (also called an occupancy permit) is the formal sign-off from a registered building surveyor confirming that a building — or a significant alteration to a building — complies with the Building Act, Building Regulations, and relevant Australian Standards. It certifies the building is safe and suitable for its intended use.

When Is a Certificate of Occupancy Required?

• •New buildings before they can be occupied
• •Major alterations or extensions that required a building permit
• •Change of use — converting a commercial premises to residential, for example
• •Significant fire damage repairs that involved structural rebuilding under a building permit

For most insurance repairs, a certificate of occupancy is not required unless the repairs involved a building permit. Minor repairs — replastering, painting, re-roofing with like-for-like materials — generally do not trigger the requirement. However, structural repairs, extensions to the scope, or compliance upgrades may require a building permit and subsequent occupancy certificate.

The Inspection Process

Before issuing the certificate, the building surveyor conducts a series of inspections at key stages of the build — footings, framing, waterproofing, and final completion. Each inspection must be passed before the next stage proceeds. Oxide Construct coordinates all required inspections as part of the project management process.

How Oxide Handles This

At Oxide Construct, our technology-driven approach to insurance repair means certificate of occupancy is handled transparently. Track your claim in real-time through our platform, with a dedicated assessor as your single point of contact throughout the process.

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