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Last Updated: Wednesday, 08 October 2025 09:36

How to submit an application

  • Notice of Engagements (Form 56) and Building Approval Decision Notice (Form 2), including Amended Approvals, will only be accepted through the Online Customer Service Portal.
  • Notice of Discontinuance of Engagement (Form 22), Inspection Certificates and Certificate of Occupancy (Form 11) can only be submitted to Council via email to ds.lodgements@tr.qld.gov.au. 

The video below shows how to lodge a Notice of Engagement and Privately Certified Building Approval through our online customer service portal.

In person / mail

Hardcopy applications can be submitted in person to your local Customer Service Centre or via mail. There is a higher fee for hard copy application submissions.

Submission fee

The document lodgement fee must be paid either by credit card at the time of lodgement, over the phone or through an existing Toowoomba Regional Council debtor account. Council’s fees are outlined in the Fees & Charges Register.

Requirements for submitting documents electronically

How to submit documents

  1. Become a registered user: New users will need to register for an account online to be able to summit applications.
    • To register, complete the ‘New User Registration’ online form on the Customer Service Portal and submit. Our staff will then verify your details and enable your account. You will receive an email when your login account is ready for use (allow a maximum of 2 working days for processing).
  2. Submit online:
    • Login onto your account on the Online Customer Service Portal.
    • Select Applications at the top left of the screen.
    • Under Development Application Types select either Notice of Engagement or Privately Certified.

 Information required when submitting online

  • Description of works – per decision notice
  • Certifier reference number (optional) - to assist with linking related items 
  • Building type – refer to Australian Bureau of Statistics for further information on functional classification of buildings
  • Building classification – class of the main structure
  • Estimated cost of works(in whole dollars)
  • Permit type – staged, final, amended
  • Detached status – Whether the building is a detached (free standing) or attached to another building or structure. This only applies to residential buildings
  • Gross floor area (in whole square meters)
  • Number of storeys (if applicable)
  • Number of units (if applicable)
  • Number of pre-existing dwellings and units (residential) on site prior to commencement of the approved building work (if applicable)
  • Demolish dwellings - Number of dwellings to be demolished under the building approval
  • Number of dwellings relocated TO the site (if applicable)
  • Number of dwellings relocated FROM the site (if applicable)
  • Work type – type of work carried out
  • Sector of ownership - public or private.

PDF documents

Documents must be in PDF format and:

  • created by a software program, not by a scanner
  • unlocked with no password protection
  • unzipped
  • legible
  • correct orientation (vertical or horizontal)
  • have a total document size which does not exceed 10MB.

The attachments are required to include the following documents:

  1. Decision notice
  2. DA Form 2 – Building work details
  3. Form 56 - Notice of engagement (unless previously lodged)
  4. Form 20 – Lodgement of building work
  5. Plans and supporting documentation.

The documents listed above are mandatory requirements as stated in s86 of the Building Act 1975.

Note: Do not provide a hard copy if submitting electronically.

How to reduce the size of documents

To reduce the file size of Adobe PDF documents, refer to the software provider, e.g. Adobe Acrobat for instructions on reducing PDF file sizes.

+ - Frequently Asked Questions Click to collapse

How do I lodge an Amended Approval Online?

Amended approvals can be lodged the same way as a Building Approval via the Online Customer Service Portal.

How do I lodge an application online with a proposed lot?

If the SEAL has not been applied to the property, the application should be lodged under the original property in the Online Self Service Portal. The approval should reference both the proposed address and the previous address.

How do I lodge an application online with a villa number?

Please include the villa number in the description. This assists our officers when lodging your applications and finalising your approval.

What is the document upload size?

The upload size is 10MB per file. If the file size exceeded this limit, Please contact Council to arrange a Dropbox link.

What do I do if the description of the works changes between submitting the Notice of Engagement and issuing the Building approval?

The description on the Notice of Engagement and the Building Approval should align. If there are changes, you can submit an amended Notice of Engagement with the Approval documentation. Please ensure that the description accurately reflects the building works under the approval.

What do I do if the Certifier changes between issuing the Notice of Engagement and issuing the Building Approval?

If the Certifier listed on the building approval is from the same company as the Certifier who issued the Notice of Engagement, please complete the ‘Notification of engagement of alternative assessment manager’ section under part 7 on the Form 2. When lodging the Building Approval through the Online Customer Service Portal, list the details of the new Certifier under the ‘Certifier details’. Our officers will match up the records when we complete the lodgement.

If the Certifier listed on the Building Approval is from a different company as the certifier who issued the Notice of Engagement, a Notice of Discontinuance of Engagement must be issued by the original certifier and a Notice of Engagement will need to be issued by the new certifier.

What do I do if the description of the works changes between submitting the Notice of Engagement and issuing the Building Approval?

Please ensure that the description accurately reflects the building works under the approval and the description on the Notice of Engagement and the Building Approval should align. If there are changes, you can submit an amended Notice of Engagement with the approval documentation.

Further information

For further information please contact 131 872 or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

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