What is the difference between a BA1 and a BA2?

A BA1 is a certified application: a private building surveyor checks the plans first and issues a Certificate of Design Compliance (BA3). A BA2 is uncertified: your council does that check. BA1 has a 10 business day limit and a 0.19% fee; BA2 has 25 business days and 0.32%.

Is a BA1 faster than a BA2?

Council's time limit is shorter (10 business days against 25), but you need to add the time the private surveyor takes to issue the Certificate of Design Compliance.

Can I use a BA2 for a granny flat?

Yes. A granny flat is a Class 1a dwelling, so a BA2 can be used. Commercial and other building classes need a BA1.

Are BA1 and BA2 fees the same at every council?

Yes. The fees are set by the Building Regulations 2012: 0.19% for a BA1 and 0.32% for a BA2, both with a $121 minimum, plus the Building Services Levy.

BA1 vs BA2: Certified or Uncertified Building Permit (WA)

BA1 vs BA2: which permit application?

Short answer

A BA1 is checked by a private building surveyor first, so council decides within 10 business days and charges 0.19%. A BA2 is checked by council, takes up to 25 business days and charges 0.32% (both at least $121). BA2 only covers houses and Class 10 structures like sheds, carports and patios.

Last updated 2 November 2026

The short version

	BA1 (certified)	BA2 (uncertified)
Who checks the plans	A private registered building surveyor, before you lodge	Your council, after you lodge
What you lodge with it	A Certificate of Design Compliance (form BA3) from the surveyor	Plans, engineering and the council's checklist items
What it can be used for	Any type of building	Only houses (Class 1a) and Class 10 structures such as sheds, garages, carports, patios, fences, retaining walls and pools
Council's time limit	10 business days	25 business days
Council's fee	0.19% of the value, at least $121	0.32% of the value, at least $121
Extra cost	The private surveyor's fee	None

What "certified" means

With a BA1, a private building surveyor checks your plans against the building code first and signs a Certificate of Design Compliance (BA3). Council then mainly checks the paperwork, which is why it only has 10 business days. With a BA2, council's own surveyors do the technical check, so it gets up to 25 business days and charges a higher fee.

Council fees compared

The fee is set by the state's Building Regulations, so it's the same at every WA council. On top of it, the Building Services Levy is $61.65 for work up to $45,000.

Value of work	BA1 fee	BA2 fee
$20,000 (shed or patio)	$121 (minimum)	$121 (minimum)
$50,000 (garage)	$121 (minimum)	$160
$150,000 (granny flat)	$285	$480

For most backyard jobs the council fee is about the same either way. The bigger difference is the surveyor's fee (BA1) against the longer wait (BA2).

Which one should you use?

BA2 suits most homeowners building a shed, carport, patio, pool or granny flat who don't mind waiting up to five weeks. It's cheaper because there's no surveyor to pay.
BA1 suits builders, anyone in a hurry, and any building that isn't a house or Class 10 structure (where it's the only option).

Either way, you'll need drawings and engineering, and council can ask for more information, which pauses the clock.