What the BA2 is
The BA2 is the state's application for a building permit, uncertified. "Uncertified" means no private building surveyor has checked your plans yet, so your council does that check. It can only be used for a house (Class 1a) and Class 10 structures: garages, carports, sheds, patios, fences, retaining walls, pools and the like. Council has up to 25 business days to decide.
The form has six parts. Here's what goes in each.
Part 1: Property
The street address of the land being built on. Use the lot number if there's no street number yet. Add the certificate of title volume and folio if you know them (they're on your rates notice or title). Tick whether the lot is vacant.
Part 2: Details of the building work
- Description. Plain words, such as "Freestanding steel shed 6 m x 6 m" or "Patio attached to rear of house".
- BCA class. Class 1a for a house or granny flat. Class 10a for a garage, carport or shed. Class 10b for a fence, retaining wall or pool.
- Type of work and structure. New or alteration, and whether it is detached or attached.
- Estimated value of the work, including GST. This sets your fee (0.32%, at least $121), so make it realistic. Include labour, materials and services; councils can reject an application if the value looks wrong.
- Floor area, lot area and main materials for the floor, walls, roof and frame.
- Alternative solution. Tick "No" unless an engineer or designer has used a performance solution instead of the standard building code method.
Part 3: Owner details
Name, address, email and phone for every owner on the title. Each owner signs. If there are several owners, attach a list with each name and signature. If someone signs for an owner, attach their written authority.
Part 4: Builder details
Who will build it, and which type of builder they are:
| Builder type | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Registered building contractor | Give their registration number |
| Approved owner-builder | Attach the owner-builder approval and give its number |
| Other | Work under $20,000, or where a registered builder isn't required |
The Shire of Harvey's 2026 checklist, for example, asks for owner-builder approval when work is over $20,000 for a house, or over $50,000 for a shed, carport or patio. The builder signs this part.
Part 5: Applicant
Tick owner, builder or other. If someone else is lodging for you (such as a permit service), their details go here.
Part 6: Statement by the applicant
Two questions about your neighbours: does the work encroach on other land, and could it adversely affect other land (for example footings or a wall right on the boundary)? If yes, attach the neighbour's signed consent on a BA20, or a court order. The applicant then signs.
What to attach
- Site plan (usually at least 1:200) showing the distances to every boundary and other buildings
- Floor plan, elevations and sections (usually at least 1:100) with all dimensions
- Construction details and structural engineering
- Energy efficiency report (houses and habitable additions only)
- Bushfire (BAL) report, if the lot is bushfire-prone
- Construction Training Fund receipt, for work over $100,000
- Planning approval, if your project needed it
Check your council's BA2 checklist too, as some ask for extra items such as a verge bond application.