The Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes set out the VicSmart planning assessment process and the classes of application:
  • Clause 71.06 specifies the process for assessing VicSmart applications
  • Zones, overlays, particular provisions and Clause 59.15 specify classes of VicSmart application
  • Clauses 59.01 to 59.14 and 59.16 specify the information requirements and decision guidelines for each class of VicSmart application

Introduction of VicSmart

The VicSmart planning provisions were introduced into the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes on 19 September 2014 by Amendment VC114.

Changes to the Planning and Environment Regulations to implement VicSmart were also made on 19 September 2014. The Planning and Environment Regulations were amended to:

  • prescribe a time of 10 business days after which an application for review of a failure to grant a permit for a VicSmart application may be made
  • prescribe a time of five business days within which the responsible authority may require further information and stop the statutory clock
  • insert a definition of a VicSmart application
  • require the responsible authority to specify in the planning register whether an application is a VicSmart application.

For more information see Advisory Note 55: VicSmart Planning Assessment: a new planning permit process for Victoria Amendment VC114, September 2014 (PDF, 171.0 KB) or (DOC, 97.5 KB).

Extensions to VicSmart

The government has made three extensions and one minor modification to VicSmart since its original introduction.

In August 2020, Amendment VC186 introduced a new VicSmart Class for Secondary Dwellings in appropriate residential zones as a pilot in four planning schemes. 
More information on the Secondary Dwellings Code

Extensions to VicSmart

In March 2017, Amendment VC135 introduced new VicSmart classes for:

  • building and works up to $1 million in industrial areas
  • building and works up to $500,000 in commercial and some special purpose areas
  • a range of low impact developments in rural areas (up to $500,000 in agricultural settings and $250,000 in more sensitive rural settings)
  • small scale types of buildings and works in selected overlays
  • subdivision, advertising signs and car parking.

In July 2017, Amendment VC137 introduced new VicSmart classes for:

  • a single storey extension to a single dwelling where specific design criteria are met
  • buildings and works up to $100,000 in residential zones, where not associated with a dwelling.

In January 2018, Amendment VC142 further modified VicSmart by:

  • deleting the Loading and unloading of vehicles class of application
  • including additional classes of development under the Heritage Overlay, including an electric vehicle charging station and services normal to a building (other than a dwelling).

In July 2018, Amendment VC148 integrated Vicsmart into applicable zones, overlays and particular provisions, and relocated operational and related provisions.

In August 2020, Amendment VC186 introduced a new VicSmart Class for Secondary Dwellings to facilitate the development of one additional small dwelling on the same lot as an existing dwelling in appropriate residential zones.

This class of application is part of a pilot program and only applies in the Greater Bendigo, Kingston, Merri-bek and Murrindindi Planning Schemes.

Additional tools for councils

Forms and templates

Business process tools for councils

Page last updated: 27/10/22