BAL assessment tools, AS 3959 construction documentation and vegetation management guides for NSW homeowners, builders and developers in bushfire-prone areas.
Australia uses six BAL classifications to describe the severity of a building's potential exposure to bushfire. Select a level to see risk description and construction requirements.
A step-by-step BAL self-assessment worksheet for NSW properties. Walk through slope, vegetation type, distance and FDI calculations to arrive at your indicative BAL — before engaging a formal assessor.
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Full construction documentation suite for AS 3959 compliance. Specification checklists for every BAL level, product data sheets, inspection records and a DA-ready compliance summary.
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A practical guide to managing vegetation around buildings in bushfire-prone NSW. Covers the 10/50 Rule, asset protection zones (APZs), hazard reduction obligations and what you can and can't clear without approval.
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The complete bushfire compliance toolkit for NSW. BAL-EZ Self-Assessment Kit, AS 3959 Construction Documentation Pack and Vegetation Management Guide in one discounted bundle.
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The NSW RFS administers bushfire planning requirements and issues Section 100B certificates for integrated development. Their interactive Bushfire Prone Land Map is the starting point for any NSW property check.
Check Bushfire Prone LandUnder the 10/50 Rule, eligible NSW property owners can clear trees within 10 metres of a home and shrubs within 50 metres without a permit. Eligibility depends on your land being mapped as bushfire-prone.
View 10/50 Eligibility ToolAny DA for residential development in a mapped bushfire-prone area must address Planning for Bush Fire Protection (PBP 2019). This includes APZ requirements, construction standards and water/access provisions.
PBP 2019 OverviewAn APZ is a managed buffer of reduced vegetation between a building and surrounding bushland. The required APZ width is determined by slope, vegetation type and applicable BAL. It must be documented in your DA.
APZ Requirements ExplainedImportant: FireSafe NSW provides general compliance guidance and tools only. A BAL self-assessment does not replace a formal assessment by a suitably qualified person. Always consult the NSW RFS, your local council and a registered building certifier for development-specific advice.
Answers to the bushfire compliance questions we hear most from NSW homeowners, builders and developers.
Our bushfire compliance tools are built for NSW — aligned to AS 3959:2018, PBP 2019 and the NSW RFS framework.