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CoreSkills+ shares practical knowledge based on real project experience. This is not professional advice and does not replace the advice of a qualified town planner or registered practitioner. Always verify current requirements on the NSW Planning Portal before lodging.
Planning Approval Pathways
9 pathways every NSW project sits under — from no approval needed to Minister decides
Every project in NSW sits somewhere on a scale from "no approval needed" to "Minister decides" — knowing which pathway applies early saves time, avoids redesigns, and sets the right expectations with your client. The four main pathways that affect most projects — CDC, Local DA, Regionally Significant and State Significant Development — each also have their own deep-dive topic in Pillar 02 — Codes & Compliance, with the full detail on standards and process.
Scale of development — minor works to state interest
EX
WC
CDC
DA
RS
SSD
SSI
P3A
FISH
Minor worksLarge-scale / state interest
Select a pathway
9 approval pathways in NSW
01 / 09
Pathway 01 of 09
Exempt Development
No approval needed at all
Minor, low-impact work that meets fixed standards can proceed without any planning or building approval. Garden sheds, carports, fences, decks under a certain height and similar small-scale work fall into this category — provided every standard in the Codes SEPP is met exactly.
EX
Scale: Minor works
Decided by: No consent authority — self-assessed against the SEPP
Timeframe: Immediate — no application required
01 / 09
Key terms to know
EP&A Act — Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 — the key law governing all planning in NSW
LEP — Local Environmental Plan — sets land use zones and development standards for each council area
DCP — Development Control Plan — detailed design and development guidelines set by council
SEPP — State Environmental Planning Policy — state-level policies that override LEPs on specific matters
EIS — Environmental Impact Statement — a detailed report required for SSD and SSI projects
IPC — Independent Planning Commission — determines certain SSD applications independently of the Minister
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Want the full detail on this pathway?
CDC, Local DA, Regionally Significant and SSD each have a deep-dive topic in Pillar 02 — Codes & Compliance.
Source: NSW Planning Portal — Planning Approval Pathways. Content reflects NCC 2022 Amendment 2 and NSW planning reforms current as at June 2026 — always verify against the Portal before lodging.
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