In a nutshell, local councils assess planning applications and issue planning permits, including those assessed via VicSmart. 

The Complete VicSmart Guide is a business that assists with the preparation of VicSmart planning permit applications.  The Complete VicSmart Guide fee is in addition to the council’s VicSmart application fee, which is paid to the council to assess VicSmart applications.

If you are looking to lodge directly with a council, then go to the council website. 

If you want assistance with preparing a VicSmart application, then you can use this DIY guide to:

• • prepare a VicSmart planning application; and 
  • have it reviewed by a Town Planner; and
  • have it lodged with any local council in Victoria.

All you need to know is if your application is eligible for VicSmart, then you are ready to:

The Complete VicSmart Guide is a nominal fee-based service published by Victorian Smart Planning – Permit Application Services, a town planning business that primarily offers planning advice and just gets planning permits.

VicSmart Guide and Council VicSmart fees

The council assessment fee applies, irrespective of whether you use this guide. Like the council’s permit assessment fee, the VicSmart Guide fee is dependent on the estimated cost of the proposal: