Accredited Certifying Authorities
If you need to appoint a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA ) you have two options. You can either engage a private accredited certifier or a Council certifier.
Role of a PCA
When you appoint a private certifier as a PCA, they take responsibility for the site.
The PCA's role is to:
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carry out inspections of the development at specified stages
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check compliance with the relevant approvals and certificates
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approve the design and construction of specified works in lieu of Council
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in the event of any minor variations which have been carried out during construction, determine if the building work is not inconsistent with or is substantially the same as the overall development
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issue an occupation certificate upon completion.
Enquiries and complaints
PCAs are responsible for handling enquiries and complaints about a construction site.
You can find the name and contact details of the PCA on signage at the front of the site.
The PCA has the power to issue notices to owners or builders that force them to comply with conditions of consent or rectify breaches.
We are unable to intervene on a privately certified site, unless:
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there is threat to human life or safety
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there is a significant property damage
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the PCA has been unable to resolve non-compliance.
Complaints about certifiers
NSW Fair Trading can investigate complaints about private cetifiers and Council certifiers.
For more information visit the NSW Fair Trading website.