Apply for a permit using Form 1 – Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work (PDF, 223KB). You may need to provide additional documents, depending on the proposed work. Check the building classification to make sure you're providing the right documents.

See the full list of required documents in Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, Schedule 6.

For a class 1a or 10a building

Along with Form 1 – Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work (PDF, 223KB), you must submit:

• a floor plan of the proposed building showing any proposed plumbing fixtures
• a plan showing the elevations of the proposed building.

If the proposed work involves installing sanitary drainage, also provide:

• a site classification report for the premises complying with 'Australian Standard (AS) 2870-2011 Residential slabs and footings'.
• a design showing the articulation of the sanitary drainage for the premises, if the soil classification for the premises under 'AS 2870-2011 Residential slabs and footings' is H, E or P.

For a class 1b, or 2 to 9 building

Along with Form 1 – Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work (PDF, 223KB), you must submit:

• a floor plan of the proposed building
• a plan showing the elevations of the proposed building.

Sanitary drainage work

If the proposed work involves installing sanitary drainage, also provide:

• a site classification report for the premises complying with 'AS 2870-2011 Residential slabs and footings'
• a design showing the articulation of the sanitary drainage for the premises, if the soil classification for the premises under 'AS 2870-2011 Residential slabs and footings' is H, E or P
• a plan showing:
  • all proposed fixtures
  • the proposed design and location of all sanitary drains
  • the location, size and invert levels of each sewerage system connection point
  • the proposed location and finished surface level of each overflow relief gully
  • the proposed location of any reflux valves or inspection points.

Water supply for a water service

If the proposed work involves water supply for a water service, provide a plan showing:

• all proposed fixtures
• the proposed design and location of all water supply pipes
• the location and size of each connection point to the service provider's water supply systems
• the details of any other supply of water on the premises
• the size and location of any water meters proposed to be installed on the premises
• the proposed location and type of any testable backflow prevention devices.

For a permit with a greywater facility

As well as the documents required for building classes 1a, 1b, 10a and 2–9, you must also submit:

• a plan showing:
  • the type, size and location of any greywater treatment plant
  • the location and levels of any connection points to the greywater use facility or the sanitary drainage
  • details of the proposed use of the greywater and, if the use includes a land application area, the proposed layout of the area, including minimum setback distances prescribed in the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code (QPWC)
• a copy of the treatment plant approval, if the application involves the use of a greywater treatment plant
• a site and soil evaluation report for the premises, if the application involves the use of a land application area.

For a permit with an on-site sewage facility

As well as the documents required for building classes 1a, 1b,10a and 2–9, you must submit:

• a plan showing:
  • the type, size and location of the on-site sewage treatment plant
  • the location and levels of any connection points to the on-site sewage treatment plant
  • details of the proposed layout of any land application area including minimum setback distances prescribed in the QPWC
• a copy of the treatment plant approval, if the application involves the use of a secondary on-site sewage treatment plant
• a site and soil evaluation report for the premises.

For a permit with a performance or alternative solution

For a permit application that includes a method of compliance using a performance or alternative solution, provide a document that demonstrates:

• each performance requirement that the performance or alternative solution is intended to satisfy
• how the performance or alternative solution will satisfy the performance requirement, including any test results used to develop the performance or alternative solution
• any document certifying technical details or drawings for the performance or alternative solution.

Also provide, as applicable, any of the documents required for a permit:

• for building classes 1a, 1b, 10a and 2–9
• with a greywater use facility
• with an on-site sewage facility.

All supporting documents must be prepared by a competent person, defined as:

• someone who holds a licence under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991, which qualifies them to develop the solution
• a registered professional engineer whose speciality is relevant to the solution
• another person considered competent by the local government.

You can apply for an amendment or extension to your permit if you:

• need to change the scope of the work you're doing
• require more time to complete the work.

You can apply to local government to amend or extend an existing permit, rather than start a new application.

Use Form 2 – Application to amend a permit including an extension of time (PDF, 222KB).

The approval time frames are the same as for the original application.

Amending an existing permit

If you need to substantially change the work covered by the original application, you must apply to amend the existing permit approval.

The local government needs to approve and issue an amended permit before you can start the additional work.

If the local government inspector finds minor inconsistencies at any stage during the work, they may simply amend the approved plan to correctly represent the work done.

If the local government inspector finds a substantial inconsistency between the work observed at an inspection and the approved work plan, they may issue an action notice and stop you from carrying out the work until you comply with the actions required by the action notice.

Extending an existing permit

You need to apply for an extension at least 10 business days before the end of the permit's term.

You can apply to extend an existing permit by up to 2 years. You can apply for multiple extensions.

A permit is valid for 2 years unless a longer period is stated on the permit.

Applying to amend or extend permit

To apply to amend or extend a permit, complete Form 2 – Application to amend a permit including an extension of time (PDF, 222KB) and provide:

• any other required documents
• written consent for the work from the South East Queensland (SEQ) service provider, if the application relates to SEQ water or sewerage work (if the local government isn't the water service provider)
• the local government application fee.

You don't need to include information you provided with the original application if the work hasn't changed significantly.

Permit applications are divided into 2 processing timeframes: standard and fast-track. The timeframe for your application will depend on the building classification, as well as other factors.

Standard applications

Standard applications and standard amendment applications are usually approved within 10 business days.

Standard timeframes apply to:

• multi-unit residential and commercial buildings (class 2–9)
• applications that are not fast-track applications or fast-track amendment applications.

Fast-track applications

Fast-track applications and fast-track amendment applications are usually approved within 2 business days, unless the local government and applicant agree on a longer period.

Fast-track timeframes apply to:

• fast-track permit work
• amendment applications to amend a permit for which a fast-track application was made.

What is fast-track permit work

Fast-track permit work is work carried out, or is to be carried out, under a permit authorising work on either:

• only 1 new class 1a building or 1 new class 10a building with the supply pipe for the building being connected directly and separately to the service provider’s water supply system
• only 1 new class 1a building and 1 new class 10a building associated with the class 1a building and 1 supply pipe for both of the buildings is connected directly and separately to the service provider’s water supply system.

Additionally, for these buildings:

• the work is carried out, or is to be carried out, in a service area for a retail water service and a sewerage service
• the sanitary drain for the building or buildings is connected directly and separately to the service provider’s sewerage system.

A class 10a building is associated with a class 1a building if a person who is entitled to use the class 1a building would ordinarily also be entitled to use the class 10a building.

Fast-track permit work includes other permit work of a type that a particular local government has declared (under a fast-track declaration) to be fast-track permit work for that local government area.

What is not fast-track permit work

Work is not fast-track permit work if it:

• involves installing a fixture relating to trade waste
• involves building, installing or altering either:
  • a greywater use facility
  • an on-site sewage facility
• is carried out, or is to be carried out, in a local government area for which a fast-track opt-out declaration is in force.

An application is not a fast-track application or fast-track amendment application if any of these apply:

• a performance solution is proposed to be used to comply with a performance requirement of either the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code or Plumbing Code of Australia
• an alternative solution is proposed to be used to comply with a performance criteria under the Queensland Development Code.