Granny Flat & Secondary Dwelling Rules: Brisbane vs Melbourne Compared

Granny flats, secondary dwellings, dependent persons units, whatever you call them, are one of the most popular small-scale building projects in both Brisbane and Melbourne. But the rules governing them are genuinely different between Queensland and Victoria, and assuming one state's rules apply in the other is a common (and costly) mistake.

Melbourne (Victoria): Secondary Dwellings and Dependent Persons Units

In Victoria, small secondary dwellings are often approved as a Dependent Person's Unit (DPU), a fast-track pathway available under certain planning schemes for a dwelling occupied by a dependent relative, subject to size limits and conditions set by your local council. Larger secondary dwellings not eligible for the DPU pathway are assessed as a standard planning permit application, going through your local council's planning department.

Key things to check in Melbourne:

• Whether your council's planning scheme has a DPU or small second dwelling exemption, and what size cap applies
• Setback and site coverage requirements, which vary by council and zone
• Whether a planning permit is required in addition to a building permit

Brisbane (Queensland): Secondary Dwellings Under the Queensland Development Code

In Queensland, a secondary dwelling on a residential lot is generally accepted development, meaning it can often proceed straight to a Building Approval without a full Development Application, provided it meets size and design criteria under the Queensland Development Code (typically capped around the low hundreds of square metres of gross floor area, with exact limits depending on lot size and the specific planning scheme). If your project doesn't meet accepted development criteria, a DA from Brisbane City Council is required first.

Key things to check in Brisbane:

• Whether your secondary dwelling meets accepted development size and design requirements
• Any flood, bushfire, or character overlays affecting your specific lot
• Whether the dwelling needs to be capable of being separately titled or must remain linked to the primary residence (this affects the approval pathway)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Melbourne (VIC)	Brisbane (QLD)
Common term	Secondary dwelling / DPU	Secondary dwelling
Fast-track pathway	DPU exemption (where applicable)	Accepted development
Assessing authority	Local council planning department	Private Building Certifier (for accepted development)
When a full application is needed	Outside DPU criteria	Outside accepted development criteria

What Doesn't Change Between States

Regardless of which state you're building in, the fundamentals stay the same: you need accurate existing-conditions drawings, a design that respects setbacks and site coverage, and documentation prepared to the standard your assessing authority expects. Getting the site measure and existing plans right at the start avoids delays no matter which state you're in.

How Arya Designs Can Help

We prepare secondary dwelling and granny flat drawings for clients across Victoria today, and we're building out Queensland-specific expertise ahead of our Brisbane launch in 2027, so projects on both sides of the border are handled by drafters who understand the local pathway, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're in Melbourne or Brisbane, upload your site details and we'll confirm the right approval pathway for your secondary dwelling and provide a fixed quote within 24 hours.