NSW State Design Review Panel

The NSW State Design Review Panel program provides design advice for projects of state significance.

Through this initiative, a panel of built-environment design experts provides independent evaluation and advice on the design quality of projects.

Established in 2018, the panel contributes to design and planning certainty by giving practical design advice to applicants. It helps identify potential design issues early, so applicants can make timely and well-informed decisions. The design review process also gives decision-makers confidence in the design quality of projects, helping to streamline assessment.

The State Design Review Panel program is managed by the Government Architect NSW. For more information and the program requirements, read the NSW State Design Review Panel – Guidelines for Project Teams (PDF, 156 KB).

The State Design Review Panel reviews state significant projects, precincts, and infrastructure.

It provides advice on a wide range of project types, including social, affordable, and market housing, schools, universities, hospitals, cultural facilities, new precincts, transport infrastructure, large industrial, and sports facilities.

For more information, read the NSW State Design Review Panel Terms of Reference (PDF, 132 KB).

In 2023, the State Design Review Panel program celebrated its 5th anniversary with the launch of 101 Design Ideas from 5 Years of the State Design Review Panel (PDF, 6 MB). Drawing on insights gathered over the years, the publication offers practical advice to support the design and delivery of built environment projects.

The criteria for review by the State Design Review Panel vary depending on the project type, as set out in sections 2 and 3 of the NSW State Design Review Panel Guidelines for Project Teams.

Applicants should review the criteria and engage with the Department early to ensure they are aware of the design review requirements for their project.

Early engagement with the State Design Review Panel is also recommended to help deliver better design outcomes and support more timely assessment.

All projects must demonstrate compliance with the Better Placed objectives and applicable design excellence requirements, as outlined in the Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) or Study Requirements.

For private projects on private land, applicants should engage with the Department to confirm the requirement for review before booking a session. Bookings submitted without prior confirmation from the Department will not be accepted.

For all other projects, applicants should contact Government Architect NSW before booking a session.

To submit an application, log into or register for a NSW Planning Portal account and follow the State Design Review Panel applicant resource guides. These guides provide information on creating an application, including required contact and project details, as well as submission requirements for design review sessions.

Panellists are independent and highly qualified design professionals. They have a variety of design skills and cross-disciplinary expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, sustainability, and both Aboriginal and European culture and heritage. The panel includes a team of state government design champions along with 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members who bring expertise in design and Aboriginal cultural heritage, to promote opportunities to Design with Country.

Meet the panel

The Wait Time Reduction Scheme operated from May 2023 to March 2025, successfully triaging projects for review and maintaining acceptable wait times.

From April 2025, new and streamlined criteria have been introduced for private projects on private land, focusing on those projects with design excellence requirements. This ensures applicants continue to receive a high level of service as demand for design review increases, while also helping to keep wait times within acceptable levels.

Fees apply for reviews conducted by the State Design Review Panel.

For government agency-led projects and those on government land, fees are covered through agency, project, or program agreements.

For all other projects, a fee of $9,500 + GST per State Design Review Panel session applies. This fee is payable after the session has been held and the design advice letter has been issued.

Fees will apply for all design review sessions booked through the NSW Planning Portal from 1 July 2025. This includes new applications and returning projects requesting a subsequent review.