Self-assessable building work

Some minor buildings and structures are classed as Self-assessable Building Work and do not require a building application, although they must still comply with the relevant building and planning codes and regulations. For example:

A small shed (Class 10 building) can be classed as Self-assessable Building Work if it is:

• No more than 10m2,
• No more than 2.4m high,
• Has a mean height of no more than 2.1m above natural ground level,
• No longer than 5m on any side, and
• Complies with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the Queensland Development Code (QDC) including building setbacks from property boundaries.

Details of the buildings and structures that can be classed as Self-assessable Building Work are listed in the Building Regulation (2021).

Please note that most farm buildings will require a building approval. The only exceptions are small class 10 (private garage or the like) that are located on land used for agricultural, floricultural, horticultural or pastoral purposes; and no part of the class 10 is within 200m of a road or a boundary of the land on which the class 10 is situated and the class 10 does not form part of a swimming pool or its fence. Intensive horticultural buildings (growhouses/greenhouses) will require a building approval even if they are not roofed or walled.