Deck: does it need approval
An open unroofed platform off the house or in the yard, usually timber or composite, sitting close to the ground.
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 2.11-2.12read 2026-09-15 |
| VIC | Building approval only | Required | VPP cl 62.02-2; no deck exemption in Building Regulations 2018 (Vic) Sch 3read 2026-09-15 |
| QLD | No approval | Depends | Building Regulation 2021 (Qld) Sch 1 s 13read 2026-09-15 |
| WA | Building approval only | Required | R-Codes Vol 1 (10 Apr 2026) cl 5.1.3 C3.1(iii) and cl 5.4.1 C1.1; LPS Regulations 2015 (WA) Sch 2 cl 61(1) item 7(h)read 2026-09-15 |
| SA | Needs checking | Not settled | No published clause |
| TAS | No approval | Not required | Tasmanian Planning Scheme SPP cl 4.3.6; Directors Determination cl 1.3.5 and cl 1.6.1read 2026-09-15 |
| ACT | No approval | Not required | Planning (Exempt Development) Regulation 2023 (ACT) s 1.45read 2026-09-15 |
| NT | No approval | Not required | NT Building Note 114 type 4read 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
Footings, bearers and joists, decking boards, a balustrade where the drop calls for one, and steps. Height above the ground is the number that decides everything: a deck that sits low is treated very differently from one you can walk under.
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 0 so far.
Published projects in Alterations and additions, most recent first.
Alterations and additionsNedlands WANo price publishedPublished by builder纳德兰兹住宅扩建项目
Alterations and additionsKings Plains NSWNo price publishedPublished by builder金斯平原住宅扩建项目
Alterations and additionsBalwyn North VICNo price publishedPublished by builderBalwyn North住宅室内改造
Alterations and additionsSurrey Hills VICNo price publishedPublished by builder旺兹沃斯住宅改造
Alterations and additionsNorth Balgowlah NSWNo price publishedPublished by builder北巴尔戈瓦拉住宅立面翻新与后部扩建
Alterations and additionsToorak VICNo price publishedPublished by builderToorak遗产住宅翻新及二层扩建
250 sqm · 32 weeks
Who did these jobsThe builders and trades credited on the projects above. Not a paid list.
Check your own address
The overlays on your lot are what decide whether the row above actually applies to you.