Change of Use Permits in Victoria

Data from 2000–2026

Change of use permits are required when the purpose of a building or land changes, such as converting a residence to an office.

Total Applications

2,297

Approved

1,296

56% of all

Refused

20

1% of all

Withdrawn / Other

981

Application Outcomes

Approved (1,296)
Refused (20)
Withdrawn (156)
Pending / Other (825)

Of 1,316 decided applications, 98% were approved.

Processing Time

25th percentile

56 days

Median

105 days

75th percentile

183 days

90th percentile

297 days

75% of change of use permits are decided within 183 days. Based on 254 applications with complete date records.

Change of Use Permits by Council

CouncilApplicationsApprovedRefusedWithdrawnMedian Days
Hobsons_Bay314299011
Moorabool177002
Strathbogie158137219
Casey1498361495
Greater_Geelong13382114
Benalla12511018
Kingston992105
Latrobe8566110
Murrindindi8364014
Pyrenees757300
Monash724313
Whitehorse6134312
Yarra_Ranges56000
Glen_Eira55000
Greater_Dandenong453800172
Wyndham42000
Hume41000
Mornington_Peninsula391514101
Maribyrnong3370177
Wellington32260574
Nillumbik30002
Whittlesea29801112
Darebin281300
Moonee_Valley272700
Melbourne25903
Merri-Bek241815
Bayside24190266
Frankston23000
South_Gippsland201012
Yarra19302
Surf_Coast191203
Bass_Coast191115
Ararat13902
Mitchell11000
Horsham11800
Golden_Plains11212
Maroondah10000
East_Gippsland1090177
Indigo9501
Brimbank9000
Southern_Grampians7700
Northern_Grampians7601
Manningham7100
Boroondara7300
Towong5401
Swan_Hill5400
Stonnington5500

Most Common Zones

Zones where change of use permits are most frequently lodged.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the outcomes for change of use permit applications in Victoria?

Of 2,297 change of use applications tracked across 47 Victorian councils, 1,296 were approved and 20 were refused. An additional 156 applications were withdrawn. Among decided applications, 98% were approved.

How long does a change of use permit take to process?

The median processing time for change of use permits across Victoria is 105 days from lodgement to decision. 75% of applications are decided within 183 days. Processing times vary significantly between councils.

Which council processes the most change of use permits?

Hobsons_Bay has the highest volume with 314 change of use applications.

Check change of use permit history for your property

Enter any Victorian address to see planning permit history, zoning controls, overlays, and development potential.

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Based on 2,297 change of use applications from 47 councils (2000–2026). Outcome rates are calculated from decided applications only (excludes pending and withdrawn). Data sourced from council planning registers.