Office & Workplace Approvals
Where Office Fitouts Stall
Office use looks simple, but it isn't always. The space might be approved for retail or industrial rather than office, so it needs a change of use. The fitout can trigger accessibility, fire or amenity upgrades you never budgeted for. Co-working density can blow out the parking. And plenty of home-based businesses get a council notice because they didn't know where the line was.
Most people assume office is low-risk and find out otherwise after they've committed. We tell you exactly what your space needs, and what it will cost, before you sign.
What We Handle
From big-box gyms to boutique studios, here's what we get approved.
By Type:
Office and business premises
Co-working and serviced offices
Change of use to office
Home business and home occupation
Office fitouts
Mixed-use office space
By approval need:
Fitout DA
24/7 trading hours
Acoustic compliance
Added amenities (showers, change rooms)
Signage
We Check What Others Miss
Using a property for a different purpose than its current approval. Common ones we handle:
Capacity
We set your patron numbers early so you design around a figure that holds
Accessibility and fire
We identify any upgrades the change of use triggers and roll them into the approval, costed and done.
Parking
Office and especially co-working parking scales with floor area and desk numbers. We work out the real requirement early.
Change of use triggers
Even a low-impact switch to office can require accessibility, fire and amenity upgrades. We flag them up front, not after.
Amenities
Toilets and facilities are tied to how many people you fit, so we size it right from the start.
Permissibility
We confirm office use is actually allowed on your site before you sign, since not every zone permits it.
[ How it works ]
Find Out Exactly Where You Stand
[ faqs ]
Got Any Questions?
We’ve heard it all. Here’s everything you need to know before working with us.
Do I need approval to open an office?
It depends on the space. If it's already approved for office or business use, you may be fine, but if it was retail, industrial or something else, it's a change of use and needs consent. We confirm exactly where your site stands.
Can I turn a shop or warehouse into an office?
Usually yes, but it's a change of use, so it needs approval, and the first check is whether office use is permitted in that zone. We confirm that before you sign, then map the pathway.
Do I need approval to run a co-working space?
Usually yes. Co-working packs more people into a space than a standard office, which raises parking, amenities and fire questions. We work those out up front so the density doesn't trip you up.
Can I run a business from home?
Often yes, and sometimes without any approval at all, depending on what you're doing. The rules turn on things like whether you have employees, clients visiting, signage and how much of the home you use. We tell you exactly where the line is so you stay on the right side of it.
What's the difference between a home occupation and a home business?
They're different planning categories with different rules. A home occupation is more limited, a home business allows a bit more activity, and which one you fit changes whether you need approval. We work out which applies to you.
Do I need approval for an office fitout?
It depends on the work. A light fitout can sometimes be exempt, but anything touching services, fire, accessibility or layout often needs consent. We work out the right pathway so you don't over-lodge.
How much parking does an office need?
It scales with floor area, and co-working with desk numbers. Parking is a common sticking point, so we work out the real requirement early rather than letting it surprise you.
How long does an office change of use take?
We lodge within 48 hours of having what we need. After that, determination sits with council and varies with complexity. A clean office change of use is often one of the faster pathways, and getting it right up front keeps it that way.
[ why choose us ]
Faster Pathways
Fewer Rejections
One Expert Team
Guranteed Approval
Active Project Approvals
in 2026
2019
2021
2023
2024
2025