However, when in doubt whether a building permit is required, enquiries should be made through the council or a private building certifier. A large range of criteria is available for when a permit is needed. In simple terms, they are required to construct a new building, to extend an existing building, to structurally alter a building, to demolish or remove a building, to alter the fire safety services of a building or to change the use of a building (MCC, 2002). .
The State Government is responsible for the construction codes and regulations which have been adopted as law; however the local councils are responsible for the administration and enforce these regulations through building permits (MCC, 2002). No matter what the specific building project may be, the enforcement of these codes and regulations are carried out to protect the public health, safety and welfare by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction (DCGP, 2002). Inspections at different stages of construction are carried out to ensure that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used (BOCAI, 2001). Works done without a permit can be a hazard to adjacent development, the council's infrastructures including roads and paths as well as to the community (DCGP, 2002).
The building permit will state which inspections are required on site and at what stages of construction. The council or private certifier who issued the permit is responsible for carrying out these inspections (BOCAI, 2001). A building certifier is responsible for assessing whether the proposed building work complies with all the relevant provisions of the Building Act and associated standards. Both council building certifiers and private building certifiers must be registered with the Building Services Authority (BSA) as accredited building certifiers (DCGP, 2002). .
The building permit ensures that the project satisfies a significant number of criterions.