The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has released a package of planning reforms centred on a new interactive digital tool designed to simplify the process of lodging a development application (DA) for homeowners.

The tool, set to be introduced later in 2026, guides applicants through DA requirements based on their specific project, providing tailored advice, examples and best practice guidance. It will implement standardised development application requirements for NSW, replacing fragmented and inconsistent requirements with a single set of rules.

Standardised conditions across NSW

Standard conditions of consent for housing projects will also be introduced, replacing inconsistent and bespoke conditions with a consistent framework across the state. The reforms introduce a scaled approach to conditions, with simpler, outcome-based requirements for low-rise development and more detailed, management plan-based conditions for mid and high-rise projects, ensuring effort is proportionate to development complexity and risk.

DA requirements will set out the documents and drawings that should accompany an application, including when specialist reports are required for matters such as noise, tree clearing, and stormwater and sewage management.

Faster approvals, lower rejection rates

The changes are expected to shave weeks off the planning process by reducing the administrative burden on councils, lowering DA rejection rates, and helping new homes move from approval to construction faster. Consistency across local government areas will mean councils, builders and developers spend less time preparing applications and can expect faster and more predictable decisions.

Deputy Secretary of Planning Land Use Strategy, Housing and Infrastructure, Monica Gibson, says: "Lodging a development application shouldn't be hard. These reforms aim to make it easier for homeowners to lodge a DA against a single set of rules, no matter where you live, and for councils to apply clearer, consistent conditions of consent that reflect the scale and impact of development. It will improve the quality of applications at lodgement, reducing requests for more information and DA rejections, and the consistency of requirements after approval. That adds up to a faster, fairer assessment process."

Part of broader planning reform

The proposed changes form part of the NSW Government's landmark planning reforms, which passed Parliament in November 2025 with near-unanimous support and are designed to make the planning system faster, fairer and more modern.

Both proposals are currently on public exhibition on the NSW Planning Portal until 5pm on 30 July 2026.

Architecture & Design Team

Let’s connect!