BASIX Certificate for Granny Flats in NSW

If you're building a granny flat (also called a secondary dwelling), you'll likely need a BASIX Certificate before council or a private certifier will approve your Development Application or Complying Development Certificate.

At the BASIX Certificate Centre, we are professional providers of BASIX Certificates for Granny Flats in NSW and can provide you with a BASIX Certificate ready for council submission.

Colleagues collaborate while examining computer designs

Why Granny Flats need a BASIX Certificate in NSW

A granny flat is treated as a new residential dwelling under BASIX, even though it's a smaller, secondary structure on an existing property.

That means it needs its own BASIX assessment covering:

Water efficiency
- Fixtures, fittings, and any landscaping or irrigation
Energy efficiency
- Appliances, hot water systems, lighting, and insulation
Thermal comfort
- How well the building holds heat and stays cool, based on its design and materials

Which method applies?

Most granny flats can be assessed using the standard BASIX checklist method, which keeps costs and turnaround times down.

Larger or more complex granny flats may need a Thermal Comfort (NatHERS) Certificate as well, if the checklist method can't demonstrate compliance on its own.

Our process

Send us your plans (PDF upload accepted through our contact form) along with basic details about the project. We will need:

Site plan and floor plan for the granny flat
Basic details about fixtures, hot water, and any solar or energy features you're planning

We'll provide a fee proposal, free of charge, so you know the cost upfront before committing.

Our assessors review your plans and calculate compliance against water, thermal, and energy targets.

We provide you with a draft of the compliance items, and will discuss any questions or changes.

Once agreed, we issue your BASIX Certificate, ready to submit with your Development Application or CDC.

Most straightforward residential jobs are turned around within a few business days. For urgent projects, let us know when you get in touch and we'll do what we can to prioritise it.

Additional Government Costs

As of the 1st July 2011, the NSW Department of Planning in charge of BASIX will impose a cost for generating a BASIX Certificate, which in general will be $50.00 new homes plus a reduced fee per dwelling for Multi-Units, plus from 1st October 2023 an additional Portal Fee charge of $5.00 per certificate, making our charge with GST being a total of $60.00.

Plus, from 30th September 2011, the cost of $25.00 will apply to Alterations & Additions, plus Swimming Pools & Spas, plus the Portal Fee, making a total cost of $33.00 with GST.

For more information go to the Government website for BASIX.

Our Pricing

As a guide, our BASIX Certificate fee for alterations and additions starts from $135 and Granny Flats (Secondary Dwelling) from $440.00.

This is our assessment fee and doesn't include the separate government BASIX certificate fee, which is charged per certificate at submission.

We offer a free, no-obligation fee proposal so you know the full cost before committing.

Experienced Provider of Section J Reports in NSW

We prepare Section J Reports for developments across New South Wales, from small multi-unit projects to larger commercial buildings.

Contact the team now by calling 0415 992 744 or sending us an email at peter@basixcertificatecentre.com.au