Do I Need Building Approval for a Commercial Fitout?

Most commercial fitouts in Western Australia need a building permit before work starts, and commercial buildings use a certified application. This guide to commercial fitout approvals in WA helps you work out which building approvals your project needs, in what order, and who signs off at each step. It covers office fitouts and other commercial spaces. It is general guidance, not legal advice. Your surveyor and your local council make the final call.

Building work in Western Australia

Does your commercial fitout need a building permit in WA?

In Western Australia, most commercial fitouts involving alterations to an existing building require a building permit before construction can begin.

Under the Building Act 2011 and Building Regulations 2012, building work generally requires approval unless a specific exemption applies.

Minor cosmetic improvements, such as painting, decorating or replacing movable furniture, will not generally require a building permit. However, more extensive works can affect how the building complies with the National Construction Code (NCC) and other applicable standards.

You should seek advice on building permit requirements if your project involves:

• Installing or modifying internal walls and partitions.
• Changing the building layout or access to emergency exits.
• Altering structural elements.
• Modifying fire detection, sprinkler or emergency lighting systems.
• Installing or relocating plumbing, amenities or mechanical services.
• Changing the authorised use or building classification.
• Making alterations that affect accessibility or other building compliance requirements.

Even relatively straightforward office fitouts can affect fire safety, accessibility or essential building services.

For example, adding meeting rooms or internal partitions may change exit paths, corridor widths, sprinkler coverage or smoke detection requirements.

Before starting work, confirm the proposed scope with a registered building surveyor and the relevant permit authority. Identifying these requirements during design helps avoid changes once construction is underway.

Design compliance

Which building permit application applies to a commercial fitout?

In Western Australia, building permit applications are submitted as either certified or uncertified applications.

For commercial buildings classified as Class 2 to Class 9 under the National Construction Code, a certified building permit application (BA1) is required.

This means the design must be assessed and supported by a Certificate of Design Compliance issued by an appropriately registered building surveying contractor or permit authority.

Once a complete certified application has been lodged, the permit authority generally has 10 business days to make its decision.

It's important to understand that this is the statutory assessment period, not the total time required to obtain approval. Architectural drawings, engineering information, building services documentation and compliance certification must be coordinated beforehand.

Allowing sufficient time for these steps during the early design phase can help keep the construction programme on track.

Compliance requirements

What does a registered building surveyor do?

A registered building surveyor plays an important role in confirming that a proposed commercial fitout meets the applicable building standards and regulatory requirements.

Their assessment considers matters such as fire safety, accessibility, structural requirements, energy efficiency and the proposed building classification.

For a certified building permit application, an appropriately registered building surveying contractor assesses the design documentation and issues a Certificate of Design Compliance where the relevant requirements have been satisfied.

Building surveyors also perform statutory certification functions associated with construction and occupancy approvals where required.

Engaging a building surveyor early allows potential compliance issues to be identified before the design is finalised. This is particularly important when alterations affect emergency exits, fire services, access routes or the existing building classification.

At HUB Interiors, we coordinate design documentation and relevant consultant input as part of the fitout process, helping identify compliance considerations before they affect construction costs or timeframes.

Building classification

How does building classification affect your fitout?

The National Construction Code (NCC) classifies buildings according to their intended use. The classification influences the building standards and safety requirements that apply to your fitout.

Commercial buildings can fall into several classifications, including:

• Class 5: Offices and professional or commercial premises.
• Class 6: Shops, restaurants, cafés and other premises providing goods or services directly to the public.
• Class 7: Certain storage buildings, warehouses and car parks.
• Class 8: Factories, laboratories and buildings used for production or processing.
• Class 9: Public buildings, including certain healthcare, assembly and educational facilities.

A change in how a premises is used may require a review of its existing classification, even where relatively little construction work is proposed.

For example, converting an office into a training facility or changing a commercial tenancy to a specialised healthcare use may introduce additional fire safety, accessibility, sanitary facility or egress requirements.

Some alterations can also trigger accessibility upgrades to affected parts of the existing building under the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010. Energy efficiency requirements may also apply to certain lighting, air-conditioning and other building works.

These changes can have a substantial impact on project costs.

Before committing to a lease or finalising a fitout budget, it's important to confirm whether the intended use is compatible with the building's existing classification and what upgrades may be required.

Development approval

When do you also need development approval?

Building approval and development approval are two separate processes, and depending on the project, you may need one, both or neither.

Development approval, also known as planning approval, considers whether the proposed use or development is permitted under the relevant local planning framework.

A commercial fitout may require development approval where the project involves:

• Changing the approved use of the premises.
• Introducing a business activity that requires planning assessment.
• Altering the building's external appearance or façade.
• Installing or modifying external signage where approval is required.
• Carrying out works to a heritage-listed or otherwise protected property.

Not every internal refurbishment or change of tenant requires development approval. Requirements depend on the existing approvals, the proposed land use, the local planning scheme and any applicable exemptions.

A building permit may still be required even where development approval is not.

If you're considering a new commercial tenancy, confirming the approved use of the property should be one of your first steps. A premises may appear suitable for your business but require planning approval or building modifications before it can be legally occupied for the intended purpose.

Identifying these issues early helps avoid unexpected costs and delays after a lease has been signed.

Occupancy permit

When do you need an occupancy permit?

An occupancy permit confirms that a building or part of a building is authorised to be occupied for its approved use and classification.

In Western Australia, most Class 2 to Class 9 buildings require a valid occupancy permit or an equivalent existing authorisation, such as a certificate of classification recognised under the Building Act 2011.

However, completing a commercial fitout does not automatically mean a new occupancy permit is required.

For example, an existing office tenancy undergoing refurbishment may not require a new occupancy permit if its authorised use and building classification remain unchanged.

A new or amended occupancy authorisation may be required in circumstances such as:

• Occupying a newly completed commercial building.
• Changing the authorised use or classification of an existing building.
• Occupying certain incomplete buildings.
• Seeking retrospective authorisation for unauthorised building work.

Where an occupancy permit application is required, the process generally involves submitting Form BA9 with the relevant supporting documentation.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include a Certificate of Construction Compliance (BA17) or a Certificate of Building Compliance (BA18) issued by an appropriately registered building surveying contractor.

Before commencing a fitout, confirm the building's existing occupancy authorisation, its approved use and whether the proposed works will require a new permit.

This is particularly important for businesses entering an existing commercial tenancy, as a change in use can trigger additional compliance requirements and costs.

Approval process

What is the approval process for commercial fitout approvals in WA?

The approval process for a commercial fitout depends on the proposed works, existing building classification and intended use.

While every project is different, the following steps provide a practical guide to understanding the approval pathway.

Early coordination of these steps helps establish a realistic project programme and avoids unnecessary delays between design, construction and occupation.

Building approvals

Commercial fitout approvals WA: what happens if you skip them?

Councils can take action against unauthorised building work, so approvals are not something to leave until late. A completed commercial building must also have an occupancy permit in effect before it is used. Sorting out building approvals before construction starts is the safer path for any office fitouts project.

Local authority

Common questions about commercial fitout approvals

Do I need a building permit for office partitions?

Often. Partitions are common in office fitouts and can adversely affect exits, access and fire systems, so confirm with your surveyor or the permit authority before you start.

How long does commercial fitout approval take?

Once a certified application is lodged, the permit authority has ten business days to process it. The design, certification and any planning approval come first, so allow for those in your programme.

Perth office fitouts

Speak to a Hub expert before you lodge

Getting the approvals right is an important part of delivering a successful commercial fitout, but it's only one piece of the project.

At HUB Interiors, we bring design, construction and project management together under one team, helping clients understand what's involved before committing to a fitout.

From reviewing an existing tenancy and identifying potential compliance requirements through to design, consultant coordination, construction and handover, we focus on providing greater clarity around project scope, costs and delivery timeframes.

Our experience across Perth's commercial property market includes office, retail, healthcare and other commercial environments, each with its own operational and regulatory requirements.

Whether you're considering a new premises, planning an expansion or upgrading an existing property, early advice can help identify what's possible and what needs to be considered before construction begins.

Read more about whether you need building approval for a commercial fitout, explore our office fitout services or speak to our team about your project.