Make an appeal or declaration with the Development Tribunals
Part of the Appeals and actions topic
Make an appeal or declaration for building or development decisions. Lodge an application with the Development Tribunals.
On this page
In short
You can use this service to:
- appeal decisions relating to building and development matters
- make a declaration relevant to Queensland legislation.
You must submit your completed application form by email, by post or in person. See How to make an appeal or declaration with the Development Tribunals for the full application process.
What you should know
There are differences between making an appeal or declaration when lodging an application to the Development Tribunals.
Appeals
Appeals help resolve disputes and notices for:
- a decision from a local government or private certifier under either the
- Building Act 1975
- Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
- a notice about a development application for how a land or a classified building can be used
- a notice about a decision or condition of a development application
- an enforcement notice issued under either the
- Building Act 1975&
- Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (except as noted below)
- Planning Act 2016
- an infrastructure charges notice.
If you wish to make an appeal, you must submit an appeal application to the Development Tribunals within 20 business days of getting a notice and within 5 business days of getting a enforcement notice.
Advice agencies
An advice agency, such as Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, can make an appeal within 10 business days of receiving a notice or a negotiated decision notice.
Declarations
Declarations clarify rules and legislation for:
- whether the development application is properly made
- a matter state in an acknowledgement notice (see above).
If you wish to make a declaration, you must submit the declaration application within 20 business days of getting a decision notice.
Assessment managers must request a declaration within 10 business days of getting a development application.
There is no timeframe for:
- deciding whether a request for compliance assessment has expired
- changinga development approval if it relates to a material change of use for a prescribed building.
If a local council or private certifier does not decide within the set time, this is called a ‘deemed refusal’.
This applies to failure to decide a:
- building development application
- development application for material change of use of premises for a classified building.
If this happens, you can lodge an appeal any time after the date the decision should have been made.
Who can use this service
You can make an appeal or declaration with the Development Tribunals if:
- you have received a decision notice, information notice, or enforcement notice under the
- Building Act 1975
- Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
- Planning Act 2016
- you are within the timeframe to make an appeal or declaration.
- you are an advice agency appealing a decision notice or negotiated decision notice.
Don't use this service if:
- you missed the timeframe to make an appeal or declaration.
Instead, seek legal advice on lodging an appeal ‘out of time’.
How to make an appeal or declaration with the Development Tribunals
Choose how to submit your appeal or declaration and follow the steps.
Step 1: Complete the form
Download and complete the application form.
Step 2: Gather supporting documents
You must include all relevant supporting documents with your application, such as:
- the notice
- site plans
- council and private certifier notices
- photos
- relevant correspondence.
Step 3: Pay the fee
Make your payment by credit card.
See Payment options in the Help centre.
Step 4: Submit your application
Email to:
Attach:
- completed application form
- supporting documents
- receipt of payment.
Step 5: Receive the outcome
You'll receive confirmation your application has been received.
Step 1: Complete the form
Download and complete the application form.
Step 2: Gather supporting documents
You must include all relevant supporting documents with your application, such as:
- the notice
- site plans
- council and private certifier notices
- photos
- relevant correspondence.
Step 3: Pay the fee
Make your payment by credit card.
See Payment options in the Help centre.
Step 4: Submit your application
Post to:
Development Tribunal Registrar
GPO Box 2457
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Attach:
- completed application form
- supporting documents
- receipt of payment.
Step 5: Receive the outcome
You'll receive confirmation your application has been received.
Step 1: Complete the form
Download and complete the application form.
Step 2: Gather supporting documents
You must include all relevant supporting documents with your application, such as:
- the notice
- site plans
- council and private certifier notices
- photos
- relevant correspondence.
Step 3: Pay the fee
Make your payment by credit card.
See Payment options in the Help centre.
Step 4: Submit your application
Contact the Development Tribunal Registrar by phone on 1800 804 833 for location details.
Attach:
- completed application form
- supporting documents
- receipt of payment.
Step 5: Receive the outcome
You'll receive confirmation your application has been received.
How long it takes
Processing time begins when we receive a completed application.
Standard application: up to 10 business days
Urgent application: not available.
How much it costs
You pay the fee to submit your application and have it reviewed.
To confirm which fee applies to you, contact the Development Tribunals Registrar:
- phone: 1800 804 833
- email: registrar@epw.qld.gov.au
Some common appeal and declaration fees are shown below.
| Subject of appeal or declaration | Fee - no site inspection | Fee - with site inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 or Class 10 building | $462.00 | $769.00 |
| Class 2 to Class 9 building (floor area of 500m2 or less) | $673.00 | $971.00 |
| Class 2 to Class 9 building (floor area of 500m2 or more) | $971.00 | $1443.00 |
| Appeals under the SEQ Water Act: | ||
| Section 99BRBE | $462.00 | $769.00 |
| Section 99BRBF or 99BRBFA | $810.00 | $1,117.00 |
| Infrastructure charges notice or conversion application | $810.00 | $1,117.00 |
| Declaration | $314.00 | N/A |
From the Help centre
Find answers to frequently asked questions about services, including:
Legal support services directory
Find more in the Help centre.