Building certifiers may carry out inspections personally, or may authorise a competent person to carry them out. The building certifier is responsible for determining whether a person is competent to carry out a particular inspection, and must do this prior to the inspection.

For example, the building certifier may authorise an engineer who is experienced in the inspection of concrete structures to carry out the inspection of the reinforcement steel of a concrete swimming pool.

Permit issuing

A private certifier cannot issue a building development permit until the local council gives all other necessary approvals. For example: a preliminary approval for assessment of the character of the building, or a reduction of a minimum building setback from a boundary.