Code assessable

Code assessable (or code assessment) is the assessment track in the Queensland and South Australian planning systems where a proposal is measured against the planning scheme’s coded, bounded standards, usually without public notification. It is the standard residential track, as opposed to the broader impact assessable track.

The defining features of code assessment are:

• The proposal is assessed only against the applicable codes (the acceptable outcomes and performance outcomes), not the whole scheme.
• There is generally no public notification and no third-party appeal.
• A proposal that meets all the acceptable outcomes must be approved, it cannot be refused for reasons outside the codes.

That makes code assessment faster and more predictable than impact assessment, which is assessed against the entire planning scheme, requires public notification, and lets submitters object and appeal. The category your job falls into is set by the zone, the use, and any overlays.

For a builder the practical point is to confirm whether the job is code or impact assessable at the very start, because it drives the timeline, cost, and risk. Meeting the acceptable outcomes is the smooth path. If the design instead has to be assessed against the performance outcomes, or tips over into impact assessable (for example a use the zone does not anticipate), expect notification, possible objections, and a longer determination. See the Queensland DA process.

Also known as: Code assessment, code assessable development.

Category: Planning / Assessment.

Related

• Queensland DA process
• South Australia DA process

See also

• Impact assessed development
• Accepted development
• Development application

References

• Queensland DA process (Chalkline) (verified 2026-06-01)

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Last updated: 2026-06-01. Verified: 2026-06-01. Quarterly review for currency.