Guides
Plain-English explainers on Australian planning, building and buying off the plan, from the public record.
- Guide · 6 min
How do I lodge a development application in Brisbane?
A step by step guide to lodging a DA with Brisbane City Council, from pre-lodgement advice to the decision notice.
- Guide · 5 min
Code vs impact assessment in Queensland: what's the difference?
How the Planning Act 2016 sorts development into categories, and what code or impact assessment means for notification, decisions and appeals.
- Guide · 7 min
Infrastructure charges by council: Queensland and NSW
How councils set and levy infrastructure charges on new development in Queensland, and how the NSW contributions system compares.
- Guide · 7 min
How do I object to a development application?
Objection rights for DAs differ across Queensland, NSW and Victoria, and the details decide whether you can appeal later.
- Guide · 6 min
Off-the-plan sunset clauses: what are your rights?
A developer can no longer simply walk away from an off-the-plan contract when the sunset date passes, but the protections differ by state.
- Guide · 5 min
Builder insolvent? What happens to your deposit
Whether you see your deposit again depends on your state, on the scheme that covers your contract, and on whether you paid only what the law allows.
- Guide · 5 min
Home warranty insurance in QLD, NSW and Victoria
Every state makes builders arrange cover for homeowners, but the thresholds, limits and claim triggers are very different.
- Guide · 4 min
How to check if a builder is in liquidation
The record is public. Here is where insolvency notices are published, what each type of appointment means, and why it matters for a warranty claim.