Carport: does it need approval
A roofed structure to park under, open on at least two sides. An enclosed garage is a different thing and a different answer.
State by state
The position on an ordinary residential lot with no overlay. An overlay on your own lot can change it.
| State | Where it lands | Building approval | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | No approval | Not required | Codes SEPP 2008 cl 2.19-2.20read 2026-09-15 |
| VIC | Building approval only | Required | VPP cl 32.08-5; no garage or carport exemption in Building Regulations 2018 (Vic) Sch 3read 2026-09-15 |
| QLD | Building approval | Required | Building Regulation 2021 (Qld) Sch 1 s 13; a normal carport exceeds itread 2026-09-15 |
| WA | Building approval only | Required | R-Codes Vol 1 (10 Apr 2026) cl 5.2.1 C1.1-C1.4, cl 5.1.3 C3.2(ii) and cl 5.2.2; LPS Regulations 2015 (WA) Sch 2 cl 61(1) item 7(i), (j)read 2026-09-15 |
| SA | Needs checking | Required | No published clause |
| TAS | Permitted | Not required | Tasmanian Planning Scheme SPP cl 6.6.1 and GRZ cl 8.4; Directors Determination cl 1.3.1 and cl 2.3.1read 2026-09-15 |
| ACT | No approval | Not required | Planning (Exempt Development) Regulation 2023 (ACT) s 1.41 and s 1.42; Building (General) Regulation 2008 sch 1 items 6 to 8read 2026-09-15 |
| NT | No approval | Depends | Building Regulations 1993 (NT) reg 33(1); NT Building Note 114 types 1 to 3read 2026-09-15 |
Each row is read from the instrument named against it, on the date shown. Council controls sit on top of all of them.
What the job usually involves
Slab or strip footings, posts, roof framing and sheeting, and a crossover if the car cannot already get there. Enclosing the sides later turns it into a garage, and that is the change that usually needs approval.
What it costs
Read off published projects that carry a price. There is no estimator on this page.
Fewer than 8 published projects carry a price for this, so there is no band worth printing. There are 3 so far.
Published projects in Alterations and additions, most recent first.
Alterations and additionsHaberfield NSWHaberfield Federation House Attic Renovation and Extension
A$650,000 · From public sourcesGST not included · 35 weeks
Alterations and additionsGladesville NSWGladesville Full Renovation and Extension Project
A$350,000 · From public sourcesGST not included · 17 weeks
Alterations and additionsLismore NSWSummerland Bank Lismore Renovation Project
A$2,000,000 · From public sourcesGST not included
Check your own address
The overlays on your lot are what decide whether the row above actually applies to you.