Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies for Proposed Practice Direction Updates

Help inform how practice directions can better support quality building inspections.

What's being decided?

The State Planning Commission has prepared a discussion paper on inspection policies for the purpose of gathering feedback from key stakeholders.

Stakeholder feedback on the discussion paper will be used to inform updates to Practice Directions 8 and 9. Members of the building industry and local government are encouraged to provide feedback, and all members of the community are welcome to contribute its ideas.

Key areas of focus include:

  • introducing an enhanced risk-based approach suggested by the Australian Building Codes Board – this includes changes to mandatory inspection requirements for different classes of building works, or more substantial revision of inspection requirements
  • the findings of the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) Building and Construction Industry Review
  • inspection requirements for class 1a buildings to encourage more inspections during construction instead of at completion
  • reviewing the use of Metropolitan Adelaide versus Greater Adelaide for the purpose of council timeframes for undertaking inspections
  • whether there should be changes to mandatory notifications
  • an alternative approach for councils to require certification or other documentation in lieu of undertaking physical inspections which may also include guidelines for virtual inspections.

Though the Commission has identified key areas for investigation in this discussion paper, it is interested to hear any ideas for reform that may benefit the industry and South Australian community.

This discussion paper is an opportunity for councils and the building industry to inform how practice directions can better support better quality building inspections, which lead to safer buildings for our communities.

Consultation period
Feedback on the discussion paper is invited from Friday 5 December 2025 to 19 February 2026.

Background

In October 2019, the State Planning Commission released a background paper and consulted on the first practice direction for inspection policies under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

The intention was that the practice direction would be built on and improved into the future, in concert with other reform as necessary.

Since the introduction of Practice Directions 8 and 9, there have been only minor changes to mandatory inspection targets for different classes of building works. Variations have been limited to changes in how inspections are recorded and reported to assist in quality of data.

Feedback on the discussion paper will be used to inform updates to practice directions aimed at improving building safety and aligning with national best practice.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say:

  • Take our survey to respond to discussion paper questions
  • Email your feedback to: plansasubmissions@sa.gov.au (subject: Submission – Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies)
  • Post your feedback to: Strategic Projects, Department for Housing and Urban Development
    GPO Box 1815
    ADELAIDE SA 5001

Attend our online information sessions and workshops:

Several online information sessions and workshops for councils and industry stakeholders as part of engagement for the discussion paper:

  • Information session one: Thursday 11 December, 10 to 11am
  • Further workshops to come in late January and February 2026
  • Invitations to these events will be sent via calendar invite.

What are the next steps?

All feedback received on the discussion paper will be considered in shaping a future proposal for updates to inspection policies under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

A what we heard summary of feedback will be prepared and provided to those who made a submission and made available on this page. We will provide further information on the next steps as part of the summary.

Help inform how practice directions can better support quality building inspections.

What's being decided?

The State Planning Commission has prepared a discussion paper on inspection policies for the purpose of gathering feedback from key stakeholders.

Stakeholder feedback on the discussion paper will be used to inform updates to Practice Directions 8 and 9. Members of the building industry and local government are encouraged to provide feedback, and all members of the community are welcome to contribute its ideas.

Key areas of focus include:

  • introducing an enhanced risk-based approach suggested by the Australian Building Codes Board – this includes changes to mandatory inspection requirements for different classes of building works, or more substantial revision of inspection requirements
  • the findings of the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) Building and Construction Industry Review
  • inspection requirements for class 1a buildings to encourage more inspections during construction instead of at completion
  • reviewing the use of Metropolitan Adelaide versus Greater Adelaide for the purpose of council timeframes for undertaking inspections
  • whether there should be changes to mandatory notifications
  • an alternative approach for councils to require certification or other documentation in lieu of undertaking physical inspections which may also include guidelines for virtual inspections.

Though the Commission has identified key areas for investigation in this discussion paper, it is interested to hear any ideas for reform that may benefit the industry and South Australian community.

This discussion paper is an opportunity for councils and the building industry to inform how practice directions can better support better quality building inspections, which lead to safer buildings for our communities.

Consultation period
Feedback on the discussion paper is invited from Friday 5 December 2025 to 19 February 2026.

Background

In October 2019, the State Planning Commission released a background paper and consulted on the first practice direction for inspection policies under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

The intention was that the practice direction would be built on and improved into the future, in concert with other reform as necessary.

Since the introduction of Practice Directions 8 and 9, there have been only minor changes to mandatory inspection targets for different classes of building works. Variations have been limited to changes in how inspections are recorded and reported to assist in quality of data.

Feedback on the discussion paper will be used to inform updates to practice directions aimed at improving building safety and aligning with national best practice.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say:

  • Take our survey to respond to discussion paper questions
  • Email your feedback to: plansasubmissions@sa.gov.au (subject: Submission – Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies)
  • Post your feedback to: Strategic Projects, Department for Housing and Urban Development
    GPO Box 1815
    ADELAIDE SA 5001

Attend our online information sessions and workshops:

Several online information sessions and workshops for councils and industry stakeholders as part of engagement for the discussion paper:

  • Information session one: Thursday 11 December, 10 to 11am
  • Further workshops to come in late January and February 2026
  • Invitations to these events will be sent via calendar invite.

What are the next steps?

All feedback received on the discussion paper will be considered in shaping a future proposal for updates to inspection policies under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

A what we heard summary of feedback will be prepared and provided to those who made a submission and made available on this page. We will provide further information on the next steps as part of the summary.

  • Provide your feedback: Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies for Proposed Practice Direction Updates

    We are seeking your input on a discussion paper to inform how practice directions can better support better quality building inspections for safer buildings for our communities.

    This survey is based on the discussion questions found in the discussion paper and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete depending on the level of detail you would like to provide in your answers.

    Please explain your answers in the free text fields provided. You do not need to respond to every question as we understand you may want to only provide feedback on some areas. Only those fields marked with an (*) are compulsory.

    Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. All feedback received on the discussion paper will be considered in shaping a future proposal for updates to inspection policies under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

    A what we heard summary of feedback will be prepared and provided to those who made a submission and made available on YourSAy and PlanSA. 

     
    Take Survey
Page last updated: 12 Dec 2025, 12:19 PM