PCA Certification and Services

What is a Principal Certifying Authority?

The Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) plays an integral role in the construction process, overseeing the management of the development consent from the commencement of work through to the completion of the building, subsequent issuing of the Occupation Certificate and conducting inspections at each required stage. You can appoint Council to be the PCA. Council's Building Certification Team offers a variety of services in a professional and efficient manner.

Appointment of a PCA

Prior to any building or subdivision work being carried out, a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate must be approved and a PCA must be appointed for the development. To appoint Council as your PCA please contact us on 1300 176 077. If you do not appoint Council as the PCA, you must notify Council of the appointment of the PCA at least two days prior to the commencement of any building work.
What are the roles and responsibilities of the PCA?
Being appointed as a PCA carries certain responsibilities. These obligations are as follows:

• Conduct a proper inspection of each required stage of construction.
• Certify each stage of inspection that the works are being carried out in accordance with the development consent.
• Promptly advise the applicant if any works have been carried out that are inconsistent with the development consent.
• Serve notices under s121 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act if any non-compliance is identified with the terms of the development consent.
• Issue an Occupation Certificate for any building work or change of use when the relevant application has been lodged with Council and all required works and conditions have been satisfied.
• Promptly advise the applicant, after each inspection, of any outstanding work.
• Certify that all the conditions required by the development consent, Building Code of Australia (BCA) and technical standards are complied with.
• Oversee the legislative requirements of the construction process from commencement to completion.

Making a complaint against a PCA

Any concerns with construction works including a belief that works are not proceeding in accordance with the approval are to be discussed with the PCA in the first instance. If you remain unsatisfied with the response of the PCA, complaints against Accredited Private Certifiers can be made in writing to the Building Professionals Board (NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure).