City of Melbourne building plans and permits (1916-1960)

• the address of the building
• the application number

Note: If you think the construction took place before 1916, read the page on Notices of Intention to Build.

Records of applications from around 1961 onward are still held by the City of Melbourne. In other words if the date range on the index card is beyond 1961 you will need to contact the City of Melbourne records department.

How to find the Application Number? 

1. Look at the digitised index cards for Melbourne Building Application Index (City of Melbourne) 1916-1993 on Ancestry.com.au or
2. Use this link for free Reading Room Access Only
3. Look to the right hand side of the landing page Victoria, Australia, Selected Trial Brief and Correspondence Registers and Other Images, 1837-1993 and you will see Browse This Collection
4. Select Melbourne Building Application Index from the dropdown menu
5. Browse by street name from the drop down menu e.g. 'Beckett - Bourke' 
6. Find your property address (on card tab) and note down the application number.

Tip: View this image to better understand how to read the Melbourne Building Application Index cards. 

Building plans dating from 1961 onwards are held at Melbourne City Council, contact their Records Department.

How to find the plans?

Type in the application number below.

The Local Government Act 1915 allowed local governments to create by-laws regulating building construction in their municipality. Our collection contains plans and correspondence relating to over 60,000 applications to build in the City of Melbourne between 1916 and 1960.

Once you have found records of interest to you, order them online and then view in our Reading Room.