Tasmanian Building Act 2016
The Building Act 2016 sorts all building and plumbing work into low-risk, notifiable or permit categories. Owners are responsible for using licensed practitioners and keeping records. Use this section to understand which approvals you need and where to apply.
From 1 January 2017, the Tasmanian Government’s Building Act 2016 regulates all building and plumbing work in Tasmania. The laws and codes apply to everyone undertaking building or plumbing work. The Act categorises work into:
- Low-risk work — minor work that you or a competent person can usually do without a permit
- Notifiable (medium-risk) work — a licensed contractor must lodge a notice
- Permit (high-risk) work — requires a building permit before work can start
For the most up-to-date information visit Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) at cbos.tas.gov.au, or read the Building Act 2016 on the Tasmanian legislation website.
How to work out what you need
To work out whether building or plumbing approval is required, you must read the Director’s Determinations for Building and Plumbing and self-assess. We don’t have a building surveyor on staff and our team is not qualified to make this determination for you. If you need advice, contact a private building surveyor or CBOS.
- Find a licensed tradesperson — CBOS (cbos.tas.gov.au)
Works categories
Tasmania’s Building Act classifies work into categories based on risk and complexity:
- Building Work — not requiring consent or notification (very small, low-risk work)
- Low-risk work (Form 80 / Notice of Low Risk Work) — minor work such as certain sheds, decks and pools below size thresholds
- Notifiable work — certified by a private building surveyor, notified to council
- Permit work — certified by a private building surveyor, permit issued by council
If you are unsure which category your project falls into, talk to a private building surveyor or our permit authority team.
Plumbing
Plumbing work in Tasmania is governed by the Plumbing Regulations 2024. A licensed plumber and a compliance certificate are required for most plumbing work. Council’s Plumbing Permit Authority checks compliance; contact our Plumbing Surveyor (Monday–Wednesday) via (03) 6256 4777.
Owner-builders
Owner-builders must hold an Owner-Builder Permit issued by Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) before starting work. See cbos.tas.gov.au for details.