Subdivision is the legal process of dividing one property title into two or more separate titles, each independently sellable or buildable. In WA it requires WAPC approval, compliance with R-Codes, and registration of new titles through Landgate.

R-Codes (Residential Design Codes) set the density and site area requirements for a block. The most common codes across Perth are:
R20: average 450m² per dwelling, minimum 350m² (most Perth suburbs).
R25: average 350m² per dwelling, minimum 300m².
R30: average 300m² per dwelling, minimum 260m² (inner and middle suburbs).
R40: average 220m² per dwelling, minimum 180m² (higher density, closer to activity centres).
The lower the number, the fewer dwellings allowed per hectare. Your local council's planning scheme sets which code applies to your block.

There's no single WA-wide figure, it's calculated from your block's R-Code using the average site area per dwelling. For example, an R20 block needs roughly 900m² for a 2-lot subdivision (2 x 450m² average), while an R40 block needs roughly 440m² (2 x 220m² average). The WAPC can also consider a variation of up to 5% on the minimum lot size in some cases. A site assessment against your specific title and zoning is the only way to confirm actual subdivision potential.

Green title gives each new lot a fully independent title with no shared ownership. Survey strata creates separate titles but may include shared driveways or common property, common in battle-axe and rear-lot developments.

Whether a block can be subdivided depends on its zoning, R-Code, lot size, and frontage. A land assessment is the fastest way to get a definitive answer for a specific property.

Timeframes vary by council workload, project complexity, and whether objections are raised, ranging from several months for a straightforward two-lot subdivision to well over a year for larger or contested projects.

Cost is driven by council fees, survey and engineering costs, utility connection distances, demolition (if applicable), and holding costs during the approval period.

Grant and incentive schemes for subdivision and land development in WA change with state and federal budget cycles, so rather than naming a specific program that may no longer be current by the time you read this, we recommend checking WA.gov.au and Revenue WA directly for the latest offerings. As part of your feasibility assessment, we'll also flag any grants or concessions that may apply to your specific project.

Subdividing can trigger GST, capital gains tax, or land tax reassessment depending on intent (investment vs. principal residence) and how the new lots are used. Speak to your accountant about your specific situation before proceeding.

Yes, each new title carries its own council rates, land tax liability, and, for survey strata lots, potential shared maintenance obligations for common driveways or services.

A battle-axe (or rear lot) block sits behind an existing property and is accessed via a shared driveway. Whether one is possible depends on lot size, frontage width, and council-specific access requirements.

Generally yes, a town planner manages design, R-Code compliance and the WAPC application, while a licensed surveyor prepares the plan of subdivision and manages the titling process with Landgate.