How much does a development application (DA) cost in Victoria?

Victorian planning permit fees are set by the Planning and Environment Regulations 2015. For a typical residential renovation ($100k-$500k), the application fee is $1,318. For developments over $1M, fees start at $3,600 plus a $1,078 advertising fee and $385 referral fee. Projects over $50M pay $17,982.

How much does a DA cost in NSW?

NSW development application fees follow the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021. A typical residential project ($250k-$500k) costs $3,060 in application fees. Projects over $1M incur an additional $1,560 advertising fee. The maximum fee for developments over $10M is $20,240.

How much does a DA cost in Queensland?

Queensland planning fees under the Planning Regulation 2017 are category-based. A single dwelling application costs $1,045 regardless of value (GST inclusive). Other development types range from $2,090 (under $200k) to $10,450 (over $1.5M). Referral fees of $835 apply for developments over $2M.

Are advertising and referral fees included in DA costs?

No. The base application fee covers the council's assessment. Additional fees may apply: advertising fees for public notification (triggered by development cost or assessment type), and referral fees when the application must be referred to external authorities (e.g., CFA, VicRoads, Heritage Victoria). These vary by state.

Do planning application fees include GST?

It depends on the state. Queensland planning fees include GST. Victoria and NSW planning fees are GST-exempt as they are statutory fees charged by local government. Always confirm with your specific council.

Planning Application Fees by State (VIC, NSW, QLD, SA)

Planning application fees in Australia are set by state-level regulations, not individual councils. The fee is typically determined by the estimated cost of your development and the type of application. Below are the current fee schedules for each major state.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Advertising fees — required when your application triggers public notification (typically for developments over $500K-$1M)
Referral fees — when the application is referred to external authorities (CFA, transport, heritage, etc.)
Consultant reports — traffic, acoustic, landscape, arborist, and other specialist assessments required by conditions
Building permit fees — separate from planning fees, typically 0.15-0.25% of construction cost

Victoria (VIC)

Reference: Planning and Environment Regulations 2015 (as amended)

Estimated Development Cost	Application Fee
Up to $10,000	$217
$10,001 - $100,000	$605
$100,001 - $500,000	$1,318
$500,001 - $1,000,000	$1,455
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000	$3,600
$5,000,001 - $15,000,000	$8,564
$15,000,001 - $50,000,000	$16,212
Over $50,000,000	$17,982

Additional VIC fees: Advertising fee of $1,078 applies for developments over $500,000. Referral fee of $385 applies for developments over $1,000,000. All fees exclude GST.

New South Wales (NSW)

Reference: Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021

Estimated Development Cost	Application Fee
Up to $5,000	$201
$5,001 - $50,000	$435
$50,001 - $250,000	$1,285
$250,001 - $500,000	$3,060
$500,001 - $1,000,000	$5,285
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000	$8,930
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000	$14,240
Over $10,000,000	$20,240

Additional NSW fees: Advertising fee of $1,560 applies for developments over $1,000,000. All fees exclude GST.

Queensland (QLD)

Reference: Planning Regulation 2017 (GST inclusive)

Estimated Development Cost	Application Fee
Single dwelling (any cost)	$1,045
Other — up to $200,000	$2,090
Other — $200,001 - $1,500,000	$5,225
Other — over $1,500,000	$10,450

Additional QLD fees: Referral fee of $835 for developments over $2,000,000. Queensland fees include GST.

South Australia (SA)

Reference: Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Fees) Regulations 2019

Estimated Development Cost	Application Fee
Estimated at 0.1% of development cost	Varies
Minimum fee	$500
Advertising (if applicable)	$800

How Urban Pulse Helps

Urban Pulse's planning intelligence engine automatically calculates fees based on your project's state, estimated cost, and development category. It also estimates additional advertising and referral fees, and maps your DA conditions to the consultant reports you'll need — with fee ranges for each.

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Planning Application Fees by State