Accredited Professional (SA)
Accredited Professional is South Australia's PDI Act 2016 title for the registered certifier who issues Building Rules Consent. Four building levels explained.
Ask Chalkline about this →An Accredited Professional (AP) is South Australia’s statutory title for a private certifier or council officer registered to make planning and building decisions under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA). The Accredited Professionals Scheme became operational on 1 April 2019 and replaced the older Private Certifier role under the Development Act 1993. Every certifier, surveyor, and council building officer involved in South Australian assessment must be registered and accredited at a defined level.
Building accreditation classes. There are four building classes:
- Building Level 1: most complex assessment, including Class 1 to 9 buildings and structures of any size. Minimum reasonable PI insurance: $5 million.
- Building Level 2: includes Levels 3 and 4 below. Minimum reasonable PI insurance: $2 million.
- Building Level 3 and Level 4: progressively narrower scope (smaller residential and minor work).
Becoming Level 2 automatically confers Level 3 and Level 4. Each level is matched to particular qualifications, skills, and experience listed in the PlanSA Accreditation Authority’s requirements.
Planning and surveying classes. Alongside building there are four planning classes and a separate surveyor class. Most residential certifier work for builders is the Building 1 or 2 class.
What an AP does on a residential build. Issues Development Approval (consents granted), issues the Building Rules Consent (the SA equivalent of a Construction Certificate), conducts inspections at the stages required by the consent and the SA Ministerial Building Standards, and issues the Certificate of Occupancy at completion. Applications lodge through the PlanSA portal; the AP is named on the approval documents and is the inspection contact.
On-site impact. The AP is the trade-facing decision-maker for all consent-related questions, variations during construction (where the consent needs re-issue), and stop-work directions. Builders work to the SA Ministerial Building Standards under the AP’s certificate; AS standards and the NCC sit underneath.
Also known as: AP, SA Accredited Professional. Historically called Private Certifier under the now-repealed Development Act 1993.
Category: Compliance / certification / SA.
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Last updated: 2026-05-14. Verified: 2026-05-14.