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Pure Dual Occupancy | Expert Help with Feasibility, Costs & Development Process
From Free Site Assessment to Development Approvals – Pure Dual Occupancy Support You Can Trust
Expert dual occupancy feasibility, design and cost guidance for Victorian sites. Developer-led insight, council-ready plans and a clear process from concept to permits.
11 STEPS ON HOW TO START AND BUILD EQUITY THROUGH A SUCCESSFUL DUAL OCCUPANCY SUBDIVISION IN ANY OF THE 79 VICTORIAN COUNCILS.
Transform your Victorian property with end-to-end dual occupancy expertise backed by real development experience. From early feasibility and yield calculations to council-compliant design, subdivision strategy and full permit management, we guide you through every stage with proven, developer-level insight.
Our approach blends design precision with hands-on project delivery to create profitable, market-ready dual occupancy outcomes across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Starting a dual occupancy project can feel complex, but the right process makes it clear and achievable.
We follow a proven pathway refined over hundreds of planning permit approvals for developers throughout Victoria. Our Founder personally developed his own dual occupancy—successfully navigating strong objections and council resistance—achieving approval through deep planning knowledge, strategic design and persistence.
That lived experience shapes the guidance we provide today.
We invite you to benefit from that expertise, minimise risk, and move forward with confidence on your dual occupancy development.
We hold the qualifications and experience to manage planning approvals with any Victorian council efficiently
We provide expert dual occupancy guidance across all 79 Victorian councils, from metropolitan Melbourne to regional and rural areas. Whether your property falls under Alpine, Ararat, Ballarat, Banyule, Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Bayside, Benalla, Bendigo, Borough of Queenscliffe, Brimbank, Buloke, Campaspe, Cardinia, Casey, Central Goldfields, Colac Otway, Corangamite, Darebin, East Gippsland, Frankston, Gannawarra, Glen Eira, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Greater Dandenong, Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Hepburn, Hindmarsh, Hobsons Bay, Horsham, Hume, Indigo, Kingston, Knox, Latrobe, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Manningham, Mansfield, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Mildura, Mitchell, Moira, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moorabool, Moreland, Mornington Peninsula, Mount Alexander, Moyne, Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Northern Grampians, Port Phillip, Pyrenees, Queenscliffe, South Gippsland, Southern Grampians, Stonnington, Strathbogie, Surf Coast, Swan Hill, Towong, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Warrnambool, Wellington, West Wimmera, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wodonga, Wyndham, Yarra, Yarra Ranges, Yarriambiack, and Yarra Valley councils, our professional team has the knowledge and experience to manage planning approvals, liaise with officers, and ensure compliance with local regulations. No matter which council governs your property, we provide tailored dual occupancy solutions that meet planning requirements, optimise yield, and streamline the approval process.
Duplex
Dual Occupancy Duplex
A duplex dual occupancy provides larger floor plans each with its own street presence.
Backyard Dual Occupancy
Typical Dual Occupancy
Backyard or tandem dual occupancy has one dwelling behind the other.
Corner Development
Corner lot development
Corner lots offer street address and appeal and often result in larger units than tandems
11 Proven Steps to Launch and Grow Equity with a Dual Occupancy Subdivision Across Any Victorian Council
FINANCE AND LOCATION
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Finance and Location: Setting Up Your Dual Occupancy for Success
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Finance: Before you start exploring development sites, secure your finance with a pre-approval from a reputable lender. This ensures you know your budget, demonstrates seriousness to sellers, and streamlines the development process. Engaging a trusted mortgage broker can help identify suitable lending options and structure your finance efficiently for a dual occupancy or multi-dwelling project.
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Location: The right property is crucial. Consider position, school zones, transport links, and surrounding infrastructure when evaluating sites. Ensure the property is zoned for dual occupancy and subdivision under Victorian planning provisions. While dual occupancy is generally permitted across residential land in Victorian councils, subdivision may be restricted by minimum lot sizes or local council requirements. Additionally, covenants on the title could prevent development even if zoning allows it. Early professional advice can clarify these constraints and help you select a site with the highest development potential.
SITE ANALYST DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY
PLANNING BUILDINGPERMITS
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Site Assessment: The Foundation of a Successful Dual Occupancy
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Finding the right land is the most critical step in any dual occupancy project. Not all sites are suitable, and understanding the criteria for dual occupancy is essential. Work with professionals who have experience across Victorian councils — we can identify which sites have the highest potential and guide you through the complexities of site selection.
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Site Size & Frontage: For a duplex, the minimum frontage typically ranges from 16–25 metres in mid to outer suburban areas, while inner-city councils such as Melbourne and Yarra may allow narrower frontages. In some cases, a site with a 15.2-metre frontage may still be suitable depending on council requirements.
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Development Feasibility: Ensuring Your Project is Viable
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A detailed feasibility study is essential to confirm that a project will be profitable. Conduct your feasibility in reverse to determine the maximum purchase price for a site. This is especially important when acquiring new land — though less relevant if subdividing your own property or developing in your backyard.
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Comparable Sales & Rental Yield: Gather recent sales data and consult local agents to estimate end values and potential rental income. Understanding market demand ensures your projected yield is realistic.
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Build Costs & Budgeting: Accurate construction costs evolve through the design and planning process. Early concept plans allow your builder to provide preliminary estimates, while full town planning and building permit documentation enable a detailed tender process. Creating a Cost Budget early is crucial to manage spending and avoid overcapitalising or making emotionally driven decisions that can compromise your return.
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Town Planning & Building Permits
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Before construction, ensure all planning and building permits are in place. Once approvals are secured, you can finalise your construction finance with your lender. Only then can your builder commence work. Understanding the architecture, town planning, and building process is essential to maintain timelines, compliance, and budget control.
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Full Property Development Service
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We offer end-to-end dual occupancy solutions in Victoria — from site analysis, concept design, documentation, and permits through to construction. We are partnered with experienced builders to offer a cradle-to-completion service, while still allowing you the flexibility to choose your own builder if preferred. Our developer-led guidance ensures that every stage is managed efficiently, reduces risk, and maximises profitability.
ZONING AND TITLE
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The New Zones in Victoria. Understand the council planning requirements for dual occupancies in the area. Read council's planning scheme. The scheme will let you know the minimum size of land you'll need for your dual occ and what type of development is permissible.
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Title, Title Plan and Planning Certificates. Check the planning certificate to see if it is in a bushfire or flood zone. You can still develop in these areas but it will add to your build costs. Check the title for covenants or agreements.
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Contact us and we can examine the property title for you or call before 6pm seven days.
BUILDING AND PROPERTY SUBDIVISION
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Building Cost Budget & Construction: Maximising Value in Your Dual Occupancy Project
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Building Cost Assessment:
Engage your builder early to review the site — this is critical. Builders bring a practical perspective that can identify potential challenges or opportunities that planners or designers may overlook. We can guide you through the building process, ensuring your project aligns with your budget and timelines. -
Negotiating Terms & Reducing Holding Costs:
Secure favourable settlement terms whenever possible. A longer settlement period, such as nine months or more, can significantly reduce holding costs. With vendor consent, consider lodging your Town Planning Application pre-settlement. For triple occupancy sites, vendors may allow you to rent the existing property while planning and building approvals are underway. Completing design work and even obtaining the Building Permit before settlement can further minimise costs. Ensure subdivision is included in your Town Planning Application to streamline the process. -
Construction Phase:
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Dual occupancy (single storey): Approximately four months from start to completion.
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Double-storey projects: Typically around eight months to reach Certificate of Occupancy.
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Once construction is complete, an Occupation Certificate is issued, and your dual occupancy dwellings can be tenanted. At this stage, it’s recommended to order a depreciation schedule by providing your plans, builder’s tender, and other relevant cost documentation to a qualified quantity surveyor.
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Building Equity Through Subdivision:
After construction, apply for the subdivision certificate. Once issued by council and your lender has signed off, you can register the subdivision. Immediate registration isn’t mandatory if you plan to hold the properties; in some cases, keeping the dual occupancies on a single title may reduce costs, such as council rates. -
Alternatively, you may choose to sell one of the subdivided lots to a developer or builder ready to commence construction, rather than waiting the typical 6–12 months to reach this stage. This approach allows you to build equity and unlock value through your subdivision efficiently.
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Learn the benefits of a Dual Occupancy Property Subdivision .
Case study: Transforming a 600sqm Lot: From Single House to Dual Occupancy Project Costing
Developing a dual occupancy property is a smart way to maximize the potential of your land. In this example, we explore a project where an existing house is demolished to make way for two new double-storey dwellings of 150sqm each on a 600sqm lot.
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of the construction process, a quick build pre estimate prior to completed drawings and documentation, and visual insights into cost allocation and cash flow.
1. Dual Occupancy Construction Process Overview
Step 1: Site Assessment & Demolition
Survey the existing property.
Obtain demolition permits from local council.
Carefully remove the existing house, if that is the plan, including foundations, utilities, and garden features.
Prepare the site for construction.
Step 2: Excavation & Foundations
Excavate for the new single or double-storey dwellings.
Pour reinforced concrete footings and slab on ground.
Step 3: Ground Floor Construction
Erect brickwork walls (or alternative cladding systems).
Install windows, external doors, and initial services (plumbing & electrical rough-in).
Step 4: First Floor & Roof
Build first floor framework (timber or steel framing).
Complete roof structure and roofing tiles or sheets.
Install insulation, waterproofing, and basic external finishes.
Step 5: Internal Fit-Out
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC completion.
Internal walls, plasterboard, painting, and floor finishes.
Kitchen, bathroom, and cabinetry installation.
Step 6: External Works & Landscaping
Driveways, paths, fencing, and landscaping.
Final site clean-up and handover.
Cost comparison for level of finishes
Chart showing the milestones of the construction
