Written report - Cladding 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 will not be processed unless the assessment fee has been paid in full.

Visit Pay upfront fee for further information.

Advisory

A written report regarding external combustible cladding may be requested from FRNSW.

Overview of service

FRNSW receives requests from local government authorities or other stakeholders to consult and provide advice on the risk presented by external combustible cladding on existing buildings.

Typically, these requests are to review, consult, and advise on cladding risk reports submitted in the following circumstances:

  • Referral under sections 26 and 27 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021 on any performance-based solution regarding modification of existing buildings with cladding.
  • Request for advice from an enforcement authority giving, or proposing to give, a fire safety order.
  • Request for advice or consultation from the recipient of a fire safety order.
  • Conditions have been imposed by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, requiring engagement with FRNSW as a stakeholder.
  • Risk assessment submitted to FRNSW on a voluntary basis, identifying cladding on an existing building and the possible consideration of remedial works.

FRNSW is not obliged to provide this advice or consultation but may provide advice or consultation for the purpose of the execution of an Act (e.g. the advice or consultation is provided for the purpose of preventing and extinguishing fires and protecting and saving life and property in case of fire).

Charges for service

The following charges apply to the provision of this service:

  • Assessment of application for advisory, assessment or consultancy service — $373
  • Provision of advisory, assessment or consultancy service — $192 per hour of labour

Note: The charge for assessing the application will apply to each complete application that is received, irrespective of whether consultation is provided or not.

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 invoice number.

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

To apply for a written report regarding external combustible cladding, the following must be completed and submitted to firesafety@fire.nsw.gov.au:

  1. FRNSW written report application form
  2. Any information relevant to the assessment and provision of the written report (e.g. plans and specifications, hydrant/sprinkler system schematics, statement of available pressure and flow (or equivalent) from the water supply authority, fire safety schedule and fire safety certificate (interim or final), any conditions of consent or BDC conditions, fire safety study and/or preliminary or final hazard analysis, environmental impact statement and/or statement of environmental effects, or fire safety order).

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 information

The following apply to a request for written report regarding external combustible cladding:

Note: The applicant should refer to all FRNSW position statements and determine how they may apply to the subject of any request for written report regarding external combustible cladding.

Further information on process