Before your solar panels ever hit the roof, there’s an invisible first step that can make or break your installation: navigating Australia’s patchwork of permits and council rules. While solar is encouraged nationwide, each state and territory sets its own thresholds for what’s “exempt” and what needs a formal application.
Add to that the local overlays: heritage zones, bushfire risk areas, coastal buffers, and things can get confusing fast.
Understanding how planning, building, and electrical approvals fit together can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.
Understanding the layers of approval
Getting solar installed is really about aligning your project with three main layers of regulation: planning, building, and electrical. Each one serves a different purpose, and depending on your home’s location and setup, you may need one, two, or all three.
Planning approvals come from local councils and determine whether your solar array fits the area’s visual, heritage, or environmental rules. Building approvals focus on safety and structural integrity, especially for large or heavy installations. Electrical approvals, meanwhile, ensure your system meets Australian Standards and that your connection to the grid is properly authorised by your local network provider.
Most standard rooftop systems fly through as “exempt” or “accepted development,” but these are exceptions. Heritage overlays, multi-dwelling properties, or off-grid ambitions can quickly turn a simple install into a paperwork marathon. Knowing which layer applied to you is the first step toward a smooth, compliant solar journey.
National rules that apply everywhere
No matter where you live in Australia, every solar installation must meet a core set of national standards. These rules exist to keep systems safe, efficient, and eligible for government incentives. The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out structural and safety requirements for building work, while key Australian standards, such as AS/NZS 5033 for photovoltaic arrays and AS/NZS 4777 for inverters, cover everything from wiring to fire protection.
Installers must also be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SSA) to qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), the main federal rebate that helps reduce upfront costs. After installation, homeowners receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety, confirming that the system complies with state regulations and can safely connect to the grid.
Each household also needs pre-approval from its local Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) before connection. These providers set technical limits, such as how much power you can export back to the grid. Skipping this step can delay connection or void your rebate eligibility.
How state and council rules differ
Once you’ve covered the national standards, the real viability begins. Each state and territory interprets solar planning and building requirements differently, and even neighbouring councils can apply their own nuances. What’s considered “exempt” in suburban Brisbane might trigger a full development application in heritage-listed Hobart.
For example, most councils will allow rooftop panels without a planning permit if they sit flush with the roof and don’t change the building’s height or character. But heritage zones or visually sensitive areas (common in older parts of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide) often require approval if panels face the street or alter a facade. Some councils also impose restrictions in bushfire-prone, flood, or cyclone zones where installation methods and materials must meet specific standards.
Building permits can also vary. In high-wind regions like North Queensland or the Top End, engineers may need to certify that mounting systems can withstand cyclonic conditions. Elsewhere, councils may ask for structural drawings on older homes or flat roofs.
Even if your installer says solar panels are “generally exempt,” certain property or location features can trigger extra layers of approval. Heritage listings are the biggest one; many councils restrict panels that can be seen from the street or mounted on the primary roof face of a heritage building. In these cases, you’ll often need to submit drawings or photos showing how the system will preserve the property’s character.
Bushfire-prone and cyclone zones also require additional scrutiny. Installations in these areas must comply with stricter mounting, sealing, and spacing standards to prevent damage or embers from spreading during extreme weather. Similarly, homes near the coast may face corrosion-related building requirements or limitations on reflective materials.
Multi-dwelling and strata properties add another layer. Even if your council doesn’t require a permit, your body corporate might. Many owners’ corporations have bylaws governing shared roofs, wiring, and access, so formal approval is usually needed before installation.
Lastly, some councils impose approval conditions on battery storage systems, especially where they’re installed inside garages or near living spaces.
What happens if you skip the paperwork
It might be tempting to install panels first and deal with permits later, but skipping approvals can lead to serious setbacks. Councils have the authority to issue stop-work orders, fines, or even demand that non-compliant systems be removed—an expensive mistake that can wipe out any savings you hoped to make from going solar.
Electrical regulators and network providers can also intervene. If your system wasn’t approved or connected under the correct conditions, your export rights may be cut to zero, preventing you from sending power back to the grid. In some cases, your STC rebate claim could be rejected entirely if the system doesn’t meet both regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Insurance can be another hidden risk. Some policies exclude coverage for damage caused by unapproved or non-compliant electrical work. That means if something goes wrong, you could be left footing the bill.
Getting the paperwork right might feel tedious, but it’s far cheaper and faster than fixing mistakes after the fact. Treat compliance as part of the installation cost, not an optional extra, and you’ll protect both your investment and your peace of mind.
New South Wales (NSW) solar permit overview
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Usually not required. Most rooftop solar is exempt development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021. Panels must sit flush with the roof, extend less than 0.5 m above it, and not face the primary street in heritage areas. |
| When Approval Is Needed | Required if your property is heritage-listed or in a conservation area, or if the panels are visible from the street. May also apply in bushfire, flood, or coastal risk zones. |
| Building Permit | Not normally needed unless structural changes are made or additional load requires engineering certification. Recommended for older or flat roofs. |
| Council Overlays | Heritage, conservation, bushfire-prone, flood, and coastal zones can impose extra requirements or restrict placement. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Pre-approval required from Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, or Essential Energy before installation. Each sets export limits (often 5 kW for single phase) and may require smart inverter settings. |
| Battery Rules | Batteries near living spaces or in garages must comply with AS/NZS 5139 and may need extra fire-safety clearance. |
| Timeline | 5–15 business days for standard pre-approvals; longer if a DA or heritage review is needed. |
| Common Pitfalls | Installing visible panels in a heritage area without approval, skipping DNSP pre-approval, or underestimating structural requirements on older homes. |
Victoria (VIC) solar permit review
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Usually not required for standard rooftop solar. Exempt if panels are parallel to the roof and not visible from the street in a heritage or character area. Governed by the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and local planning schemes. |
| When Approval Is Needed | Required for heritage overlays, neighbourhood character overlays, or if the installation changes the building’s appearance. Bushfire Management Overlays may trigger extra design or clearance requirements. |
| Building Permit | Needed only if structural work alters the roof or adds load beyond what it was designed to bear. Engineers may need to confirm compliance with the National Construction Code. |
| Council Overlays | Heritage, bushfire, flood, and landscape overlays are common triggers. Always check the VicPlan map to confirm overlays before installation. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Mandatory pre-approval from your local provider — Powercor, AusNet, Jemena, United Energy, or CitiPower. Export limits and smart inverter settings vary by zone. |
| Battery Rules | Batteries must follow AS/NZS 5139 and be located away from habitable rooms. Garage or outdoor enclosures are preferred. |
| Timeline | 5–10 business days for DNSP pre-approval; longer if council planning approval or bushfire assessment is required. |
| Common Pitfalls | Ignoring heritage overlays in older suburbs, failing to check bushfire overlays, or assuming “exempt” applies everywhere. |
Queensland (QLD) solar permit overview
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Most rooftop solar is accepted development and doesn’t need a permit if mounted flush and within height limits. Controlled by the Planning Regulation 2017. |
| When Approval Is Needed | May be required in character areas, heritage zones, or if the panels exceed height or boundary setback limits. Some councils have local design codes for visual amenity. |
| Building Permit | Usually not required for typical roof installs, but engineer certification is often needed in cyclone regions (C and D) to meet wind load requirements. |
| Council Overlays | Coastal hazard, flood, and cyclone zones can affect installation methods and materials. Check local council overlays before approval. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Pre-approval required from Energex or Ergon Energy. Export limits (often 5 kW single phase) and smart inverter rules apply. Some areas now use dynamic export limits. |
| Battery Rules | Must comply with AS/NZS 5139 for heat and humidity; outdoor shaded or ventilated areas preferred. |
| Timeline | 5–10 business days for DNSP approval; up to several weeks for heritage or cyclone-zone engineering checks. |
| Common Pitfalls | Missing cyclone tie-down requirements, overlooking body corporate approval for shared roofs, or skipping DNSP pre-approval. |
Western Australia (WA) solar permit overview
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Most small-scale rooftop solar systems are exempt from planning approval under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. Councils usually only step in if the system is visually prominent or affects a heritage-listed property. |
| When Approval Is Needed | Needed for heritage buildings, streetscape restrictions (e.g. Fremantle, Perth heritage precincts), or large commercial systems exceeding height or visibility limits. |
| Building Permit | Typically not required unless the roof structure is modified or the weight/load increases. Engineer certification may be necessary in coastal or high-wind regions. |
| Council Overlays | Coastal salt zones and heritage precincts can add conditions on material type, reflectivity, or corrosion resistance. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Mandatory pre-approval from Western Power or Horizon Power. Export limits depend on local hosting capacity; some regional microgrids have lower thresholds or export bans. |
| Battery Rules | Must meet AS/NZS 5139. Batteries should be placed in shaded, ventilated areas; coastal locations may require corrosion-resistant enclosures. |
| Timeline | 5–10 business days for DNSP approval; longer for heritage or regional network applications. |
| Common Pitfalls | Ignoring corrosion risks near the coast, installing reflective panels in heritage areas, or underestimating limited export capacity in regional zones. |
South Australia (SA) solar permit overview
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Rooftop solar is usually exempt from planning approval under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. Approval may still be required in heritage or character zones. |
| When Approval Is Needed | Required for heritage buildings, character areas, or when installations are visible from the primary street. Additional requirements may apply in bushfire-risk zones. |
| Building Permit | Not required for typical domestic installations. Engineer assessment may be needed for steep or older roofs to verify fixings and loads. |
| Council Overlays | Heritage, character, and bushfire overlays are the main triggers for extra paperwork. Check the PlanSA portal to confirm zoning before installation. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Pre-approval required from SA Power Networks. Flexible export limits are now standard, allowing systems to adjust exports dynamically to stabilise the grid. |
| Battery Rules | Must comply with AS/NZS 5139. Homes joining Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) may need additional monitoring or inverter settings. |
| Timeline | 5–10 business days for DNSP approval; longer if a DA or heritage sign-off is needed. |
| Common Pitfalls | Skipping DNSP pre-approval, assuming unrestricted exports, or neglecting VPP compatibility requirements. |
Tasmania (TAS) solar permit overview
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Most small-scale rooftop solar is exempt under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. A permit may be needed if the installation changes the building’s appearance or sits on a heritage-listed property. |
| When Approval Is Needed | Applies in heritage zones, scenic protection areas, or coastal overlays. Local councils may restrict visible roof placements in historic streetscapes. |
| Building Permit | Generally not required unless the structure is altered. Engineering checks may be needed for high-wind or snow-prone regions. |
| Council Overlays | Heritage, scenic, and coastal overlays can trigger design or visibility requirements. Use the LISTmap planning tool to confirm. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Mandatory pre-approval from TasNetworks. Export capacity is limited in some rural areas. Dynamic export limits may apply. |
| Battery Rules | Must comply with AS/NZS 5139. Cold climate conditions require insulated or climate-controlled enclosures. |
| Timeline | Around 5–10 business days for DNSP approval; longer for heritage or scenic area permits. |
| Common Pitfalls | Visible panels on heritage façades, underestimating shading in winter, or missing TasNetworks pre-approval. |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) solar permit overview
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Rooftop solar is generally exempt under the Planning and Development Regulation 2008, unless installed on heritage-listed buildings or in heritage precincts. |
| When Approval Is Needed | Triggered by heritage controls, multi-unit developments, or installations that significantly alter the roofline. |
| Building Permit | Not usually required unless the roof structure changes. For flat or older roofs, engineers may assess load and wind compliance. |
| Council Overlays | Heritage, tree protection, and urban character areas can affect panel placement. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Pre-approval required from Evoenergy before grid connection. Export limits apply; smart inverters are encouraged for flexible export settings. |
| Battery Rules | Batteries must comply with AS/NZS 5139. ACT Fire & Rescue recommends external placement or fire-rated enclosures for attached garages. |
| Timeline | 5–10 business days for DNSP approval; longer if heritage review or multi-unit sign-off is required. |
| Common Pitfalls | Installing without heritage checks, overlooking shared roof ownership in townhouses, or ignoring tree protection zones during scaffolding setup. |
Northern Territory (NT) solar permit overview
| Category | Requirement / Notes |
| Planning Permit | Most residential rooftop solar is exempt under the Northern Territory Planning Scheme 2020. A permit may be required for heritage-listed buildings, or in special purpose zones where visual impact or land-use conditions apply. |
| When Approval Is Needed | Needed if the system changes the appearance of a heritage property, exceeds height limits, or is located in cyclone or flood-prone zones with special construction requirements. |
| Building Permit | Generally not required for standard rooftop systems, but an engineer’s certification is essential in cyclone regions (Regions C & D) to ensure compliance with wind-loading standards. |
| Council Overlays | Cyclone, flood, and coastal salt exposure areas often require corrosion-resistant fixings and additional anchoring methods. |
| Network (DNSP) Approval | Mandatory pre-approval from Power and Water Corporation. Export limits and connection conditions vary widely in remote or off-grid communities. Some mini-grids have no export capability. |
| Battery Rules | Must comply with AS/NZS 5139. High heat and humidity make shaded, ventilated, or air-conditioned battery enclosures essential. |
| Timeline | 5–15 business days for DNSP approval; longer for remote area connections or engineering certification. |
| Common Pitfalls | Skipping engineer certification in cyclone zones, ignoring corrosion-resistant requirements, or underestimating network delays in remote regions. |
Step-by-step homeowner checklist
- Check your property overlays.
Use your state’s online planning portal to confirm if your home is affected by heritage, bushfire, flood, or cyclone designations. - Confirm planning exemptions.
Review whether your installation qualifies as exempt or accepted development under your local or state rules. - Get a roof assessment.
Have your installer or engineer verify structural load capacity, especially for older homes, flat roofs, or cyclone regions. - Apply for DNSP pre-approval.
Contact your local network (e.g. Ausgrid, Powercor, Energex) before installation to secure export approval and system capacity. - Obtain strata or body corporate approval (if applicable).
Required for shared or multi-dwelling properties to access roof space and connect wiring safely. - Install to standards.
Use only Clean Energy Council–accredited installers following AS/NZS 5033 (PV arrays), AS/NZS 4777 (inverters), and AS/NZS 5139 (batteries). - Secure final certification.
Ensure you receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety, grid connection confirmation, and warranty documents. - Claim your rebates.
Confirm your eligibility for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) and any applicable state or council rebates.
Planning a solar system in Australia isn’t just about comparing panel brands or chasing the biggest rebate. It’s about understanding the path from roof to grid — one that winds through council rules, engineering standards, and network approvals. While the process differs from state to state, a little groundwork up front can save weeks of delay and thousands in rework.
By checking your overlays, securing approvals early, and using accredited professionals, you’ll keep your project compliant and your energy flowing. Solar power may start with sunlight, but in Australia, a smooth connection begins with good paperwork.
Energy Matters has been in the solar industry since 2005 and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.
Complete our quick Solar Quote Quiz to receive up to 3 FREE solar quotes from trusted local installers – it’ll only take you a few minutes and is completely obligation-free.
