An occupation certificate, issued under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, allows a person to occupy and use a new building or to commence a new use of an existing building.
An Occupation certificate is issued by a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA), which may be an accredited Council officer or private certifier.
An occupation certificate verifies that the principal certifying authority (Council or Private Certifier) is satisfied that the building is suitable to occupy or use in terms of the requirements of the Building Code of Australia and relevant Development Consent.
Types of Occupation Certificate
A final occupation certificate allows commencement of either the occupation or use of a new building (including alternations/extensions) or the new use of an existing building resulting from a change in its use.
An interim occupation certificate allows commencement of use for a partially completed building, or for the use of part of an existing building resulting from a change of use.
If an interim certificate is issued, a final occupation certificate is still required when all building work or the change of use is complete. A final occupation certificate revokes any occupation certificates issued earlier.
An occupation certificate is required for any new building work, or change of use of a building, that has development consent (DA) or a complying development certificate approval.
Occupation certificates are not required for building works which are carried out as an exempt development.
Reference: What is an OC. Retrieved from https://www.ballina.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-JTK-71-64-44