The entire process of building a Granny Flat in Australia from application to construction

I. Australian Backyard House Regulations and Policies

1.Main regulations in each state (taking New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland as examples):

    Size restrictions: Generally no more than 60-80 square meters for a Granny Flat, Secondary Dwelling Unit (ADU), Backyard Cottage, or In-Law Suite, although some states allow larger areas (e.g., up to 90 square meters in Queensland).

    Land requirements: The plot must meet a minimum area (e.g., New South Wales requires the main property to be ≥ 450 square meters) to accommodate a Secondary Dwelling Unit / ADU, Annexe Accommodation, or Grandparents' Home.

    Height and distance from the boundary: In most states, the height limit for a Granny Flat, Backyard Studio, or Garden Suite is 4.3-5 meters, and a distance of 0.9-3 meters from the boundary must be maintained.

    Use restrictions: For residential use only (e.g., as an In-Law Apartment, Grandparents' house, or long-term accommodation), not for sale or short-term rental like Airbnb (which requires additional approval). This applies to structures often called casitas or guest cottages.

2.  Exemption policy:

    Some states allow fast approval for a Secondary Dwelling Unit / ADU or Granny Flat through CDC (Conforming Development Permit) without DA (Development Application), provided the design meets preset standards.

II. Application Process

1.  Consult the local Council: Confirm the zoning and specific restrictions (such as heritage restrictions) for building a Granny Flat, ADU, or Annexe on your property.

2.  Choose your approval path:

    CDC (10-day approval): Applicable to compliant designs for a standard Granny Flat, In-Law Suite, or Backyard Cottage and requires review by a certified assessor.

    DA (6-8 week approval): Complex projects (e.g., larger ADUs or unique Garden Suites) require detailed design submission and can take longer to approve.

3.  Submittals: Design drawings for the Secondary Dwelling or Backyard Studio, structural certification (signed by an Australian engineer), drainage plan, etc.

4.  Construction Permit: After approval, apply for a Construction Certificate (CC) for your Granny Flat or Grandparents' Home, and upon completion, a Certificate of Occupancy (OC).

III. Advantages of Purchasing Light Steel Prefabricated Houses from MARCH HOUSE:

1.  Cost Advantage:

    Unit prices for prefabricated houses in China are 30-50% lower than those in Australia for building a Granny Flat, ADU, or In-Law Apartment.

    Large-scale production reduces marginal costs, and exchange rate fluctuations may further reduce costs for your Backyard Cottage or Grandparents' house.

2.  Efficient Production:

    Factory prefabrication of your Secondary Dwelling Unit or Annexe reduces on-site construction time (4-8 weeks for production + 3-6 weeks for ocean shipping).

3.  Design stage:

    Entrust local designers to draw up architectural schemes and planning drawings for your Granny Flat, Backyard Studio, or Garden Suite.

    The architectural construction drawing design, structure, and energy efficiency calculations can be entrusted to a professional Chinese design consulting company that complies with Australian standards.

    Chinese designers can complete drawings for your ADU, casita, or guest cottage that meet CDC standards. These are then submitted to local registered engineers for review, signature, and finally Council approval.

    (ALSO MARCH HOUSE CAN DESIGN YOUR GRANNY FLAT, SECONDARY DWELLING, OR IN-LAW SUITE ACCORDING TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS)