Development assessment process

All development applications go through standardised assessment processes to make sure they are assessed equitably.

The Development Assessment Rules (or DA Rules) sets out the development assessment processes for development applications, including development applications for State facilitated development. These rules apply to all parties involved, including the applicant, assessment manager, chief executive and any referral agency.

There are five key parts to the formal development assessment process:

• application
• referral
• information request
• public notification
• decision.

Not all steps in the development assessment process will apply to all development applications. The process, including the parts applicable, will vary depending on the type of development application. Pre-lodgement, declaring a development application an application for State facilitated development and appealing a decision sit outside the formal process within the DA Rules.

The development assessment system provides for an applicant to change an existing development approval or extend the timeframe of certain development approvals at any time prior to the development approval lapsing. View our fact sheet for more information.