Infrastructure charges by council: Queensland and NSW

Queensland councils set their infrastructure charges in a charges resolution, capped by the maximum amounts in Schedule 16 of the Planning Regulation 2017, and levy them through an infrastructure charges notice after a development approval. In NSW, councils collect section 7.11 or 7.12 contributions for local infrastructure, and the state adds the separate Housing and Productivity Contribution.

This guide explains how they are set and levied council by council in Queensland, with Brisbane as the worked example, then sets out how the NSW system works. Victorian contributions are not covered in this edition of the guide.

How do Queensland infrastructure charges work?

The framework sits in the Planning Act 2016 (Qld) and the Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld). There are three layers:

1. The state cap. Under section 112(1) of the Act, a regulation may prescribe a maximum amount, the “prescribed amount”, for each adopted charge for trunk infrastructure. Section 52 of the Planning Regulation points to Schedule 16 for those amounts.
2. Annual indexation. Under section 112(2), the maximum adopted charge for each financial year is the prescribed amount in force at the start of the year, plus an amount reflecting quarterly percentage increases since it was last prescribed or amended.
3. The council’s adopted charge. Each council adopts its own charges in a charges resolution. Brisbane’s resolution states that an adopted charge must not exceed the maximum adopted charge.

So the number you pay is set by your council, but it can never be more than the indexed state maximum.

What are the Schedule 16 maximum charges?

Schedule 16 of the Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld) (version in force from 11 September 2026; the schedule notes it was inserted by amending legislation that commenced on 1 July 2026) lists these prescribed amounts:

Use (Schedule 16 category)	Prescribed amount
Residential: dwelling house, dual occupancy, caretaker’s accommodation, multiple dwelling, build to rent housing	$27,163.80 per dwelling with 2 or less bedrooms; $38,029.25 per dwelling with 3 or more bedrooms
Accommodation (short-term): tourist park	$13,581.80 per group of 2 sites or less and $19,014.45 per group of 3 sites (tent or caravan sites); $13,581.80 per cabin with 2 or less bedrooms and $19,014.45 per cabin with 3 or more
Accommodation (short-term): hotel, short-term accommodation, resort complex	$13,581.80 per suite with 2 or less bedrooms; $19,014.45 per suite with 3 or more; $13,581.80 per bedroom not part of a suite
Accommodation (long-term): relocatable home park	$27,163.80 per relocatable dwelling site for 2 or less bedrooms; $38,029.25 for 3 or more
Accommodation (long-term): community residence, retirement facility, rooming accommodation	$27,163.80 per suite with 2 or less bedrooms; $38,029.25 per suite with 3 or more; $27,163.80 per bedroom not part of a suite
Places of assembly (club, community use, function facility, funeral parlour, place of worship)	$95.15 per m² of gross floor area
Commercial (bulk goods), e.g. showroom, hardware and trade supplies, garden centre	$190.15 per m² of gross floor area
Commercial (retail), e.g. shop, shopping centre, food and drink outlet, service station	$244.50 per m² of gross floor area
Commercial (office): office, sales office	$190.15 per m² of gross floor area
Educational facility: childcare centre, community care centre, educational establishment	$190.15 per m² of gross floor area
Entertainment: hotel, nightclub entertainment facility, theatre, resort complex	$271.60 per m² of gross floor area, other than areas for providing accommodation
Indoor sport and recreation	$271.60 per m² of gross floor area other than court areas; $27.10 per m² of court area
High impact industry, special industry	$95.15 per m² of gross floor area
Other industry: low, medium impact, research and technology, rural and marine industry, warehouse	$67.85 per m² of gross floor area
High impact rural, e.g. intensive animal industry, intensive horticulture, wholesale nursery, winery	$27.10 per m² of gross floor area
Essential services: correctional facility, emergency services, health care service, hospital, residential care facility, veterinary service	$190.15 per m² of gross floor area
Low impact rural and minor uses (e.g. cropping, home-based business, park, telecommunications facility)	Nil

For every non-residential category above except high impact rural, Schedule 16 adds $13.60 per square metre impervious to stormwater. A use not listed takes the prescribed amount for a similar listed use that the local government or distributor-retailer decides to apply.

These are state caps, not the figure on your notice. Each council adopts its own charges in a charges resolution, and those adopted charges apply up to the maximum. Because the maximum adopted charge for each financial year is indexed under section 112(2) of the Planning Act, the cap in a given year can differ from the schedule figure. For Brisbane, read the adopted amounts in Council’s charges resolution, linked from its Brisbane infrastructure charges page; for another council, check that council’s current charges resolution.

What is the LGIP?

A local government infrastructure plan (LGIP) is defined in Schedule 2 of the Planning Act. It is the part of a council’s planning scheme that:

• identifies the priority infrastructure area;
• states population, employment and development growth assumptions;
• includes plans for trunk infrastructure; and
• states desired standards of service.

Brisbane City Council notes that offsets may relate to trunk infrastructure items identified in its LGIP.

When are charges levied?

The trigger is the development approval. Under section 119 of the Act:

• once a development approval is given and an adopted charge applies, the local government must give the applicant an infrastructure charges notice (s 119(1) and (2));
• where the local government is the assessment manager, the notice is given at the same time as the approval, or as soon as practicable afterwards (s 119(3)).

You can appeal an infrastructure charges notice. Under Schedule 1 of the Act, a person given the notice can appeal to the local government that gave it.

What does Brisbane charge?

Brisbane’s current charges resolution is the Brisbane Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No. 15) 2026, with effect on and from 1 July 2026. Its residential charges are in Schedule 2, Table B. Read the per-dwelling figures directly from the resolution, using the column headed “local government adopted charge”, since that is the amount Council adopts rather than the state maximum.

Other points from Council’s Brisbane infrastructure charges page:

• Indexation. For development approvals issued from 23 June 2023, charges are indexed, calculated at the time of payment using the Producer Price Index.
• When you pay. The charge is payable when it is triggered:
  • material change of use: when the change of use happens;
  • reconfiguring a lot: when Council approves the plan;
  • building work: at the final inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy.
• Finding a notice. Infrastructure charges notices for approved applications can be viewed by searching Development.i.

Because indexation is calculated at payment, the amount on a notice issued today may not be the amount you pay later. Budget for that gap.

For the steps that come before a charges notice, see our guides on how to lodge a development application in Brisbane and code vs impact assessment in Queensland.

How do NSW section 7.11 and 7.12 contributions work?

In NSW, councils administer local infrastructure contributions and the state sets the policy. The NSW Planning Local infrastructure contributions page describes two types:

• Section 7.11 contributions are charged where there is a demonstrated link between the development and the infrastructure to be funded. Councils prepare contributions plans that set a rate, usually per dwelling or per square metre.
• Section 7.12 levies are an alternative, charged as a percentage of the estimated cost of the development. The maximum percentage in most areas is 1%.

Rates under section 7.11 vary by council and by contributions plan, so check the plan for the council area where your site is.

What is the NSW Housing and Productivity Contribution?

The Housing and Productivity Contribution (HPC) is a state charge on new residential, commercial and industrial development in Greater Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle, and the Central Coast. It funds state and regional infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, major roads and public transport. It is separate from any section 7.11 or 7.12 contribution paid to the council for local infrastructure.

Base rates as at 1 October 2026, per NSW Planning:

Region	Per new dwelling lot (residential subdivision)	Per new dwelling (medium or high density)
Greater Sydney	$13,522.84	$11,269.04
Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and Lower Hunter	$9,015.23	$6,761.42

In Greater Sydney the base rate for commercial development is $33.81, and for industrial development $16.90, per square metre of new gross floor area.

HPC rates are indexed quarterly using the Producer Price Index (Road and Bridge Construction, NSW). The Western Sydney Growth Areas and Aerotropolis special infrastructure contributions moved into the HPC on 1 July 2026.

Where can I see the projects paying these charges?

Follow approvals and major developments on our Queensland market page, the Sydney market page, the Queensland major projects tracker and the Sydney major projects tracker. Our suburb pages list recent DAs near you.

Primary sources

• Planning Act 2016 (Qld), in force as at 3 September 2026
• Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld), Schedule 16, version in force from 11 September 2026
• Brisbane Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No. 15) 2026
• Brisbane City Council: Brisbane infrastructure charges
• NSW Planning: Local infrastructure contributions
• NSW Planning: Housing and Productivity Contribution

General information only, not legal or financial advice. Check the primary sources above or get professional advice for your situation.