How to Find the Lot and Plan Number for Form 7
Quick Answer
You can find the Lot and Plan number for a Form 7 (Notification of Responsible Person) on the property's rates notice, title documents, or by using the free Queensland Globe or Queensland Geocoder online tools. The format typically looks like "Lot 1 on SP123456" or "Lot 12 RP98765". This information is mandatory under section 63(5) of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019.
For licensed plumbers and drainers operating in Queensland, submitting a Form 7 (Notification of Responsible Person) is a critical compliance step before commencing permit work. A common stumbling block when filling out this form is accurately identifying the property's Lot and Plan number. Unlike a standard street address, the Lot and Plan number is the legal description of the land parcel, and local governments require it to process your plumbing approvals and schedule inspections.
Under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 and the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, failing to provide accurate property details or commencing work without proper notification can lead to significant delays and substantial penalties. This guide breaks down exactly how to locate these details quickly and ensure your Form 7 submissions are compliant every time.
Why the Lot and Plan Number is Mandatory
When you take on the role of the "responsible person" for plumbing or drainage work, you are legally declaring that you will perform or supervise the work in accordance with the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 and relevant standards like AS/NZS 3500. Section 63(5) of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 mandates the use of the approved form (Form 7) to notify the local government.
The Lot and Plan number is required in Section 1: Description of land on the Form 7. Local councils use this legal identifier to:
- Link the plumbing permit to the correct parcel of land in their property databases.
- Verify that the property boundaries align with the proposed drainage plans.
- Ensure inspections are booked and recorded against the correct legal entity, not just a street address (which can sometimes change or be ambiguous on new subdivisions).
4 Ways to Find the Lot and Plan Number
If the builder or property owner hasn't provided the Lot and Plan details, you can locate them using several reliable methods:
1. Check the Rates Notice
The easiest and most common method is to ask the property owner for a copy of their most recent local council rates notice. The Lot and Plan number is prominently displayed, usually near the top right corner or under the property description section. It will typically be formatted as "Lot [Number] on [Plan Prefix][Plan Number]" (e.g., Lot 5 on SP234567).
2. Review the Title Documents
If you are working on a new build or a property that has recently changed hands, the builder or owner will have the Certificate of Title. The Lot and Plan details are the primary identifier on this legal document.
3. Use the Queensland Geocoder
The Queensland Government provides a free online tool called the Queensland Address and Geocode Checker. You can simply type in the street address, and the system will return the official Lot on Plan details. This is highly recommended for plumbers who need to verify details quickly while on site or in the van.
4. Search via Queensland Globe
For more complex sites, such as rural properties or large subdivisions where street addresses might not be fully registered yet, the Queensland Globe interactive mapping tool is invaluable. You can visually locate the property on the map, click on the parcel, and the system will display the property report, including the Lot and Plan number.
Understanding the Plan Prefixes
When entering the details on your Form 7, you must include the correct plan prefix. The most common prefixes you will encounter in Queensland are:
- SP (Survey Plan): Used for most modern subdivisions and developments created after 1998.
- RP (Registered Plan): Common for older properties and subdivisions created before 1998.
- BUP (Building Unit Plan) / GTP (Group Title Plan): Used for older townhouses, units, and strata-titled properties.
- CTS (Community Title Scheme): Used for modern strata developments.
Example: If the Geocoder says "Lot 12 on Survey Plan 123456", you should write "Lot 12 SP123456" on the Form 7.
Compliance Pitfalls and Common Mistakes
Submitting an incorrect or incomplete Form 7 can halt your project before it even begins. Here are the most common mistakes plumbers make regarding property identification:
| The Mistake | The Consequence | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using the street address only | The council will reject the Form 7, delaying the permit and preventing you from legally starting work. | Always use the Geocoder to find the Lot/Plan if the owner hasn't provided it. |
| Confusing the Lot number with the Street number | Inspections may be booked for the wrong property, leading to failed inspections and re-booking fees. | Double-check the rates notice. Lot 15 is rarely the same as 15 Smith Street. |
| Omitting the Plan Prefix (e.g., writing "12345" instead of "SP12345") | The council cannot uniquely identify the plan, as plan numbers can be duplicated across different prefixes. | Always include SP, RP, BUP, or GTP. |
| Starting work before the Form 7 is processed | Performing permit work without an active permit and a registered responsible person is an offence under s66 of the PDA 2018. | Ensure the Form 7 is lodged and accepted before breaking ground. |
Penalties for Non-Compliance in 2026
The QBCC and local governments take the administration of plumbing permits seriously. If you perform, direct, or supervise plumbing work without the appropriate licences and permits in place (which requires a valid Form 7), you are breaching the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018.
As of 2026, the value of a penalty unit in Queensland is $172.70. The penalties for sliding-scale offences relating to unlicensed or unpermitted work are severe:
- First offence: Maximum penalty of 250 penalty units ($43,175 AUD).
- Second offence: Maximum penalty of 300 penalty units ($51,810 AUD).
- Third or later offence (or grossly defective work endangering health/safety): Maximum penalty of 350 penalty units ($60,445 AUD) or 1 year's imprisonment.
Ensuring your paperwork, including the Lot and Plan number on your Form 7, is 100% accurate is the first step in protecting your licence and your livelihood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if the property is a new subdivision and doesn't have a street address yet?
In new estates, the street address may not be registered, but the Lot and Plan number will be established during the subdivision process. You must use the Lot and Plan number provided by the developer or builder on the Form 7. This is exactly why councils rely on the Lot/Plan rather than street addresses.
Can I submit a Form 7 if I only have the Lot number but not the Plan number?
No. Both the Lot number and the Plan number (including the prefix) are mandatory. Without the Plan number, the council cannot identify which specific subdivision the Lot belongs to.
Who is responsible for finding the Lot and Plan number?
While the property owner or builder should ideally provide this information, as the "responsible person" signing the Form 7, it is ultimately your legal responsibility to ensure the information on the form is true and accurate before submission.
Does the Lot and Plan number go on the as-constructed drainage plan?
Yes. When you submit your as-constructed plans to the council after completing the sanitary drainage work (as required under AS/NZS 3500.2), the plans must clearly reference the Lot and Plan number to ensure they are filed against the correct property records.
Managing compliance paperwork like Form 7s doesn't have to be a headache. TradeDesk's AI-powered platform helps Queensland plumbers automate form filling, validate property details instantly, and track permit statuses all in one place.