Yes, but you’ll need to follow steps we outline below. You'll need to find registered design and building practitioners who can produce regulated designs to ensure compliance with strata laws and building regulations in NSW. So, yes, you can make structural changes to walls in your apartment renovation. The process is....
1. Determine if the Wall is Structural
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Some internal walls are load-bearing and form part of the building’s structure. Removing or altering them can affect the building’s integrity.
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You may need an engineer’s assessment to confirm whether a wall is structural.
2. Check Your Strata By-Laws
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Internal walls are often considered part of the lot (your apartment), but structural walls may be classed as common property, which means strata approval is required.
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Review your building’s by-laws or consult your strata manager to understand what approvals are needed.
3. Get Strata Approval
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If the wall is structural or affects common property (e.g., shared plumbing or electrical services), you’ll likely need to submit a renovation proposal to your owners corporation.
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Major works, such as structural changes, usually require a special resolution at a general meeting and a by-law registered with NSW Land Registry Services.
4. Comply with NSW Building Regulations
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Under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, structural work in Class 2 buildings (apartments) must be designed by a registered design practitioner and built by a registered building practitioner.
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The work must meet National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards requirements.
