Final fire safety report

Amendments to the Fire and Rescue NSW Regulation 2023, including changes to fee structure and prices, come into effect from 1 February 2026. Under these regulations, an upfront assessment fee must be paid prior to submitting a fire safety application or request.

To facilitate the processing of the assessment fee ahead of the application, and not cause delay to your application timeframes, please commence the payment process four working days before the application is to be lodged. Applications may be lodged after the assessment fee has been paid in full.

Visit Pay upfront fee for further information.

Infrastructure

A final fire safety report (FFSR) is a written report specifying whether the Commissioner of FRNSW is satisfied of the following:

  1. the building work complies with a performance solution for a fire safety requirement that was the subject of the construction certificate,
  2. the fire hydrants in the fire hydrant system will be accessible for use by FRNSW, and
  3. the couplings in the fire hydrant system will be compatible with the fire appliances and equipment used by Fire and Rescue NSW.

Where FRNSW are not satisfied in respect of the above, FRNSW will provide recommendations for remediation.

An FFSR must be requested in relation to development that is subject to a construction certificate and involves a performance solution for a fire safety requirement in a Class 2-9 building.

Where the building is classified as State significant infrastructure, or development associated with State significant infrastructure, the Fire Safety Infrastructure Branch is responsible for this report.

Note: Where seeking a report for the purposes of compliance with a condition within a Crown certificate or certification that requires referral to FRNSW, please refer to Written report – Other where a site visit and visual assessment is not required or General fire safety inspection or assessment where a site visit and visual assessment is required.

Where the development is a private school or private hospital, the Fire Safety Pre-Occupancy Branch is responsible for this report. Please refer to Final fire safety report.

Overview of service

Developments associated with State significant infrastructure

Under section 50 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021 (EP&A(DCFS) Reg.), a certifier is required to request a final fire safety report (FFSR) for development subject to a construction certificate (CC) involving a performance solution for a fire safety requirement.

Note: An FFSR is not required for development subject to a complying development certificate.

On receipt of the completed application, FRNSW will assess the application. Where an FFSR is being provided, FRNSW will contact the certifier to arrange and conduct an inspection and provide the FFSR within 10 business days.

Note: The certifier must not issue an occupation certificate (OC) until the FFSR has been given and considered, or the FFSR has not been given after 10 business days.

State significant infrastructure

Section 5.29 and section 6.33(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) authorise the regulations to apply provisions of Part 6 relating to building certification, with necessary modifications, to State significant infrastructure.

Section 188 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (EP&A Reg.) extends the application of section 6.9 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (i.e. compliance with the regulations prior to the commencement of building work, including reports required under the EP&A (DCFS) Regulation) to State significant infrastructure.

Note: Compliance is only required for critical State significant infrastructure where the Minister makes it a condition of the approval that section 6.9 applies.

While the FFSR process under the EP&A(DCFS) Reg. applies, legislatively prescribed timeframes may not strictly apply. FRNSW will liaise directly with the applicant in respect of estimated timeframes.

Section 5.29 and section 6.33(2) of the EP&A Act authorise the regulations to apply provisions of Part 6 relating to building certification, with necessary modifications, to State significant infrastructure.

Section 188 of the EP&A Reg. extends the application of section 6.9 of the EP&A Act (i.e. compliance with the regulations prior to the commencement of building work, including reports required under the EP&A(DCFS) Reg. to State significant infrastructure.

Note: Compliance is only required for critical State significant infrastructure where the Minister makes it a condition of the approval that section 6.9 applies.

While the FFSR process under the EP&A(DCFS) Reg. applies, legislatively prescribed timeframes may not strictly apply. FRNSW will liaise directly with the applicant in respect of estimated timeframes.

  1. Initial
    Application for occupation certificate received
  2. Business day 0
    Request
  3. Business day 1-9
    Inspection
  4. Business day 10
    Final fire safety report provided
  5. After
    Consider, then implement or advise
Charges for service

The following charges apply to the provision of this service:

  • Assessment of application for an FFSR — $1,000
  • Provision of an FFSR, including two hours of travel time — $2,429

For a full description of the charges applicable including terms, payment options, and applying for a waiver or reduction of the charges, please refer to the fees and charges page.

Application process

From Monday 2 February, all applications and requests submitted to Fire Safety require the prescribed assessment fee to be paid in advance.

To facilitate the processing of the assessment fee ahead of the application, and not cause delay to your application timeframes, please commence the payment process four (4) working days before the application is to be lodged.

To request an assessment fee invoice prior to submission—regardless of whether you have an existing FRNSW SAP customer number—visit Pay upfront fee. Payment instructions will be provided with the issued invoice.

The ‘Agreement’ section of the form requires you to enter the payee’s SAP customer number and assessment fee receipt number.

Applications and requests will only be processed once these details have been provided and the assessment fee has been paid in full.

Note: The certifier must ensure the building is ready for inspection prior to submitting the FFSR application.

To apply for an FFSR, the following must be completed and submitted to firesafety@fire.nsw.gov.au:

  1. Final fire safety report application form
  2. A copy of the application for OC (date endorsed and detailing the proposed area to be occupied)
  3. A copy of the relevant fire safety certificate
  4. A copy of any relevant construction certificate (CC)
  5. A copy of the current fire safety schedule (FSS) as per the relevant CC
  6. A copy of the performance solution report version as attached to the corresponding FSS.

Note: The application must include all relevant information. If any attachment exceeds 35 MB, please request a FRNSW SharePoint folder for uploading any large files.

Useful information

Guidance materials

The following guidance materials apply to the FFSR process:

Note: The applicant should refer to all FRNSW position statements and determine how they may apply to the content of any FFSR.

Further information on process