Unlike some states, Queensland has no state-wide statutory fee schedule for development applications. Every council sets its own fees, and the total cost depends on your project type, the assessment level, and whether you use a planner. This guide breaks down what to expect.
Each council publishes its own fee schedule, typically updated annually. Code-assessable applications are generally lower than impact-assessable ones. Infrastructure charges may apply separately for subdivision and certain commercial projects.
→ Find your council's fee schedule on its website (usually under “Planning & Development” or “Fees & Charges”).
A private town planner typically charges $800–$1,500 to prepare a planning report for a straightforward residential DA. This covers the report itself — council application fees and any specialist reports (stormwater, ecology, heritage) are extra. Complex or impact-assessable projects cost more.
instantDA generates a council-ready planning report from live Queensland planning scheme data — the same kind of report a planner charges $800–$1,500 for. Delivered as a PDF plus an editable Word file. Re-run the same address for free.
Get your planning report →Councils may levy infrastructure charges on development that increases demand on trunk infrastructure (water, sewerage, roads, parks). These are most common for subdivision, commercial development, and large residential projects. A standard house extension or shed rarely attracts them. Your council's adopted infrastructure charges resolution sets the rates — check their website.
All figures are indicative. Council fees change annually. Confirm with your council's current fee schedule before lodging.
Unlike some states, Queensland councils each adopt their own fee schedule under the Planning Act 2016. The same code-assessable house extension can cost a different application fee in Brisbane versus Cairns versus a regional council. There is no state-wide regulation setting a single figure.
Council fee schedules are usually published on the council's website under a heading like “Fees and charges” or “Planning and development fees.” They are typically updated each financial year. If you cannot find the schedule, contact the council's planning department directly.
A private town planner typically charges $800–$1,500 for a straightforward residential report. instantDA generates the same document — a structured assessment against the planning scheme codes — from QLD planning scheme data for $169. It takes minutes rather than days to weeks. If council issues an information request after lodgement, you can re-run the report for the same address at no extra cost.
Each of Queensland's 78 councils sets its own fees by resolution. The fee reflects the cost of assessing the DA, which varies with the complexity of the planning scheme, the volume of applications the council processes, and the assessment level required.
No. Infrastructure charges apply where development increases demand on trunk infrastructure — water, sewerage, roads, stormwater and parks. They are most common for subdivision, commercial development and medium-to-high-density residential projects. A standard house, extension or shed rarely attracts them.
Generally no — council application fees are not refundable if the DA is refused. You may appeal to the Planning and Environment Court, but that involves additional costs. A well-prepared planning report addresses the assessment benchmarks upfront and reduces the chance of refusal.