What is a Bushfire Consultant?

A Bushfire Consultant is a specialist who assesses the bushfire risk on your site and prepares the required reports to help meet planning or construction approval conditions. These reports are especially important in areas designated as Bushfire Prone Land.



Depending on your approval pathway and your property’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL), their advice and documentation may be required for your DA, CDC, or Construction Certificate (CC).

What does a Bushfire Consultant do?

Your Bushfire Consultant will complete works according to your agreed scope of works.


Typically, a Bushfire Consultant will:

  • Conduct a detailed on-site assessment of bushfire hazards and vegetation
  • Determine your property's Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)
  • Recommend construction standards and protective measures in line with AS 3959
  • Prepare a Bushfire Assessment Report or BAL Certificate for use in approvals
  • Liaise with certifiers, designers, or planners to address bushfire conditions


Some consultants can also help with Bushfire Management Plans or negotiate compliance alternatives for difficult sites.

Tip: Choose a Local Bushfire Consultant

Choosing a local Bushfire Consultant who understands your local council’s expectations can help speed up approvals. Councils in high-risk zones can be strict, so it's worth reviewing a few examples of their past reports if you're unsure.

What to look for in a Bushfire Consultant

When reviewing quotes, look for:

  • Accreditation under the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia)
  • Experience preparing bushfire reports for your approval type (DA, CDC, or CC)
  • Willingness to conduct a site inspection
  • Clear scope of work covering report type (e.g. BAL report, Bushfire Assessment Report)
  • Turnaround time and ability to meet your project's deadlines


It's a bonus if the consultant offers additional guidance for construction compliance, especially for owner builders managing the build themselves.

Before You Begin: What You’ll Need Ready

To get quotes from Bushfire Consultants for your Bushfire Report, you’ll need:

  • A clear site plan showing boundaries and structures
  • DA or CDC plans (if already prepared)
  • Your lot and DP number or property address
  • Any previous bushfire assessments (if applicable)
  • Preferred timelines for when you need the report completed

Average Timeframe

For this task, Pros typically provide quotes within 3-5 business days.

When Can I Expect Quotes?

Timeframes often vary based on demand and the type of Pro you're engaging (e.g. a plumber). If additional communication or clarification is needed is needed, the quoting process may take longer.

 

Don't be alarmed if you don't receive quotes or communication from any Build Buddy Pros straight away. Some work is more complex and the Pro may need time to comprehend your documents or scope of work. Depending on the job, there may even be some work required by the Pro before they are able to quote (e.g. a site visit might be required).

 

If the average timeframe indicated here has passed, and you have not received any messages or quotes, please feel free to contact the Build Buddy Expert Guidance and Support team for an update on quoting for this task.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I always need a Bushfire Consultant if I’m in a bushfire zone?

    Not always. For very low BAL ratings (BAL–Low), a consultant may not be required. But for BAL–12.5 and above, or where the council or certifier requests it, a report is essential.

How to Complete this Task?

STEP 1

Review and Adjust the Scope of Works

Timeframes may vary based on demand and the type of Pro you're engaging (e.g., a plumber). If additional communication or clarification is needed, the quoting process may take longer.

STEP 2

Confirm Required Documents Are Uploaded

Check that the following required document(s) are uploaded for this task. These are essential to proceed:

STEP 3

Update the Quality Assurance Checklist

Go to the Quality Assurance tab in this task and review the checklist. Edit any details to suit your project requirements. Being clear and upfront helps set expectations with the Pro. Updating the checklist before requesting quotes ensures everyone is aligned.

STEP 4

Request Quotes

Click the orange ‘Request Quotes’ button to start the quoting process.

STEP 5

Review the Quotes

Once you receive quotes:

  • Review each one carefully, including the payment schedule and any special terms
  • Download attached quote documents for detailed review
  • Check each Pro’s profile and read past client reviews

STEP 6

Communicate with the Pro

If needed, message or call the Pro to clarify details or negotiate terms.

STEP 7

Accept a Quote

Choose the quote that best suits your needs. Once you accept a quote, any other pending quotes will be automatically declined. An agreement will automatically be generated.

STEP 8

Complete the Tasks In Your App

New tasks will appear to guide you through this job — follow each step carefully. Make sure to use the Quality Assurance Checklist, and refer to your contract and final Scope of Works whenever needed.

NEED HELP?

Reach Out to Your Build Buddy Pro

If you have any questions or need a hand, your Build Buddy Pro is your best first contact. They’re a licensed expert in their field and can understand the ins and outs of your project. You can message them via the platform, or you can call them directly.


If you have already contacted your Build Buddy Pro and still need further assistance, the Build Buddy Expert Guidance and Support team are here to help. They will be able to guide you on your next steps or help you find answers to any questions you may have.