Please discuss this with the relevant industry association. We cannot advise whether the training course can be counted toward continuing professional development programs. 

The Department does not provide a Certificate of Attendance to those that attend a NSW Planning Portal training session. However, we can confirm your attendance to support a continuing professional development claim. 

To request this, please send an email to [email protected] with the title ‘Request for CPD confirmation’. Please include the name and date of the training you attended, along with your name. Note: This needs to match the name you registered under. We will review the training records, and where relevant confirmation your attendance.

• Read more about I recently attended a training session on the NSW Planning Portal. Can my attendance be counted toward continuing professional development?

Before you can de-activate a user account, you will need to re-assign any applications currently assigned to that user. 

Once this has been completed, an organisation administrator can de-activate the account. 

For step-by-step instructions, please view How to manage your organisation administration account (PDF, 1.46 MB).  

• Read more about A staff member has left the organisation. Why can’t I de-activate their user account?

You cannot re-open a cancelled application. 

You can copy the information within the cancelled application by:

1. Access the relevant ‘Cancelled’ application from the ‘Completed work’ tab on your dashboard.
2.  Open the application
3. Select the ‘Copy to new application’ button at the top of the screen. 

This will start a new application. The previously provided information will be pre-populated. You can amend or add to the information as required.

• Read more about My application has a status of 'Cancelled'. Can I re-open it?

To access the NSW Planning Portal digital services, you will need a NSW Planning Portal account. To create an account:

1. Open the NSW Planning Portal
2. Click on 'My Account' in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
3. Click the 'Create account' link to start the registration process.
4. Complete the required information.

If you require further assistance, please refer to 'How to register for a NSW Planning Portal account (PDF, 639 KB)' for step-by-step instructions. 

• Read more about How do I create a NSW Planning Portal account?

To reset your password:

1. Open the NSW Planning Portal.
2. Click on 'My Account' in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
3. Click the 'Forgot password' link.
4. Enter the email address related to your NSW Planning Portal account and click ‘Send verification code’.
5. An email will be sent to your nominated email address with a verification code. Enter the code received in your email into the secondary verification code field.
6. Once verified, select ‘Change’ and input a new password for your account. If your password is accepted, you will be able to re-login to your account.

Remember, for all passwords, the following requirements apply:

• it must be at least eight characters long
• it must have a maximum of 16 characters
• it must contain three of the four options below:
  • uppercase letters (A through Z)
  • lowercase letters (a through z)
  • numbers (0 through 9)
  • the following non-alphabetic characters can be used: ~! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + - = { } [ ] | \ : ; “ ‘ < > ? , . / 
• passwords cannot be your email address.

• Read more about How do I reset my NSW Planning Portal account password and are there any important password requirements?

It is mandatory to submit most planning applications (including development applications, complying development certificate and post-consent certificate applications) via the NSW Planning Portal (the Portal).

For other services submitting applications via the Portal is optional, dependent on the service the local council provides. At the bottom of each service page, you can find information about which councils are using the services via the Portal, but the best advice is to contact your local council directly.

Note: When you enter the site address in the application form, you will be unable to continue if the service is unavailable for the related local government area.

• Read more about Can I submit an application to any NSW council through the NSW Planning Portal, for any service?

The development types are standard across all NSW Local Government Areas. This reflects the requirements of the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan and other relevant legislation.

• Read more about Are the development types standard across NSW or tailored to individual council areas?

Applications with a status of "In progress" are cancelled after 28 days of inactivity. A reminder notification is sent after 21 days of inactivity.  If you would like to retain your application, please edit or submit the application to keep it active.

Alternatively, you can let the application expire. When you are ready to proceed, you can open the cancelled application within the Completed Work tab of your dashboard and select the ‘Copy to new application’ button in the top right of the application screen. This will copy the information you had previously entered into a new application with a new application number.

• Read more about Why did I receive an email telling me my 'In progress' application would be cancelled in 7 days?

In accordance with the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, applicants are required to pay a digital application processing fee for certain planning applications and certificates. A full list of fees can be found on the NSW Planning Portal service fees page.

To pay a NSW Planning Portal service fee:

1. Log in to the NSW Planning Portal.
2. Open the related application from your Active Work dashboard.
3. Click 'Pay now’ button and follow the on-screen instructions to make your payment.

Note: if you have been nominated as the payer within the application form but were not the applicant, you can access the application using the search functionality within the Portal using the application number. 

• Read more about How do I pay NSW Planning Portal service fees?

The relevant fees are outlined in Schedule 4 and Part 13 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021. Information on the planning and development fees that apply in the financial year 2026/27 can be viewed in the schedule of fees and charges. A consent authority also publishes their fees for planning and development services. Once you submit an application, the relevant consent authority will advise of the applicable fees.

Fees vary based on the type of application. Fees for development applications, for example, are based on the estimated cost of development. Additional fees also apply for giving public notice of a development and for certain types of development such as designated development, integrated development, threatened species development, Class 1 aquaculture development, and applications that require design review panel advice. Fees may include a planning reform services fee (PDF, 82 KB). NSW Planning Portal service fees may also apply.  

Are there any other charges that apply?

Local infrastructure contributions are charged by councils when new development occurs. They help fund infrastructure like parks, community facilities, local roads, footpaths, stormwater drainage and traffic management. Speak to your council about the local contribution fees that may apply. Some development may also be required to pay a housing and productivity contribution.  

The long service levy applies to building and construction works of $250 000 or more, which is required to be paid prior to the release of a construction certificate or complying development certificate. Further information on this levy is available on the Long Service Corporation’s website.  

Why have fees changed for planning and development related services?

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 allows for the indexation of fees each year to reflect the consumer price index (CPI). This increase applies to fees contained in Schedule 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 that are based on fee units.  

Updating the fee unit each year in line with CPI changes means that fees will better reflect the cost of providing planning services. Increases will be gradual and the Department will advise of the fee unit that will apply each financial year, following release of the CPI that applies. The fee unit for the 2026/27 financial year is $118.55. 

• Read more about Where can I find the fees for my application, and how are they calculated?