Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Plan and prepare to assess building application.

1.1.

Nature and scope of building application are reviewed and relevant legislation, codes and local planning policies are accessed.

1.2.

Specific building approval timelines and administrative requirements of the relevant local authority are identified and clarified.

1.3.

Proposed development site is inspected where necessary, to assist in understanding the nature of the development and potential impact on surrounding environment and structures.

1.4.

Need for advice from external consultants  with specialist expertise is identified and relevant consultants are liaised with to provide advice throughout the building application process.

1.5.

Aspects of the application requiring consents or approvals from service authorities  are identified and initiated.

2.

Assess building application documentation.

2.1.

Documentation  received in support of building application is reviewed for accuracy, currency and completeness according to local authority requirements, and further information is requested from client where necessary.

2.2.

Property ownership is confirmed with reference to titles and other relevant documentation.

2.3.

Documentation submitted is assessed for compliance with current and relevant local planning scheme, codes and legislation, and areas of non-compliance are documented for discussion with client.

2.4.

Site of proposed building application is reviewed for possible environmental protection laws and exclusions, and compliance requirements are noted and documented for discussion with client.

2.5.

Design plans are assessed for compliance with relevant legislation, codes and regulations, and areas of non-compliance are documented for discussion with client, architect or building designer.

2.6.

Required amendments to plans to ensure compliance and proposed alternative solutions are documented and communicated to client

3.

Assess revised design plans.

3.1.

Revised plans and documentation re-submitted for building approval are assessed for compliance.

3.2.

Design features requiring clarification are discussed with client, architect or building designer as necessary to ensure plans meet compliance requirements.

3.3.

Client is updated on progress of the building application process as necessary.

4.

Finalise building permission.

4.1.

Public notices are arranged according to local authority requirements, and objections are documented and handled according to regulations and workplace procedures.

4.2.

Final building permit is processed, including relevant permission conditions that ensure protection of the environment, adjacent structures and where appropriate, heritage listed structures.

4.3.

Copy of building permit is submitted to local authority and client where appropriate.

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill 

Performance feature 

Learning skills to:

• independently access a range of resources required to support the building application process
• maintain currency of knowledge required to process building approval applications across a range of jurisdictions through, for example, email alerts, conferences, or subscriptions to relevant journals.

Numeracy skills to:

• understand a range of mathematical information contained in building design drawings and assessed as part of the building approval process.

Oral communication skills to:

• select and use appropriate vocabulary when providing information or explanations to clients, or seeking additional information to support the building approval process
• use effective strategies to confirm or clarify instructions received from colleagues or clients.

Reading skills to:

• understand specialised vocabulary and acronyms specific to technical documentation used in building projects and building application documentation
• use different reading strategies to locate specific compliance requirements in a range of resources, including the BCA.

Writing skills to:

• complete building permits using appropriate vocabulary and clearly stating any approval conditions.

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Consultants  must include at least one of the following:

• access consultants
• energy efficiency assessors
• fire services engineers
• geotechnical engineers
• heritage consultants
• hydraulic engineers
• mechanical engineers
• structural engineers
• waterproofing specialists.

Service authorities  must include:

• drainage authority
• electricity supply authority
• gas supply authority
• relevant municipal council
• sewerage authority
• water supply authority.

Documentation  must include:

• building approval application form
• concept drawings to scale, with relevant calculations, levels, notes and specifications
• documentation applicable to or as specified by the local authority
• proof of building site ownership.