Who can do these plans for you?

Planning permit plans are less sophisticated than building or engineering plans. But they are a specific type of document that contain certain information pertinent to the planning permit. For regular planning permits, these are professionally done.

For most VicSmart planning applications, you can do the plans yourself and/or use the plans provided by the builder or manufacturer. If you use The Complete VicSmart Guide, instructions and simplified examples of what to do can be provided on request.

To get plans professionally drafted, you’ll need a qualified architect, designer or draftsperson.

Drawings and specifications for building works can be prepared by:

• • architects registered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, who have professional indemnity insurance
  • designers and draftspeople registered with the VBA
  • owner builders. View the Consumer Affairs Victoria Owner builder checklist page.

Architects, designers and draftspeople can:

• • design and draft plans
  • get engineering computations, foundation data and planning and building permits on your behalf.

They cannot prepare drawings or specifications for building construction works unless they:

• • are architects registered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria and they comply with professional conduct regulations, or
  • are designers/draftspeople registered with the VBA
  • have professional indemnity insurance.

An architect or designer/draftsperson should provide a written contract that outlines what you will get for your money. Their fees may be based on a lump sum or an hourly rate.

They have copyright on drawings, plans and documentation provided under your contract. This means you can only use the plans once, and only on the site they were designed for, unless agreed otherwise.

Just copy this list of information requirements and paste into an email to the professional of your choice. Or contact us and we’ll recommend a local one to you.

 Derived from Building plans and permits by the State of Victoria