AFSS due date (NSW): how to find it and plan lodgement
If you’re not sure when your Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) is due, start with the paperwork you already have: the last AFSS, your Fire Safety Schedule, and prior council correspondence. This page shows practical places to look and how to plan your inspections so you’re not scrambling at the end.
Quick answer
- The simplest way to confirm your AFSS due date is to check the most recent AFSS lodged for the building and any council confirmation/receipt.
- If you can’t find those, check your Fire Safety Schedule and building records, then contact your local council to confirm what date they have on file.
- Plan inspections and evidence collection weeks before the due date to allow time for fixes, signatures and lodgement.
Where to find your due date
- Last year’s AFSS: the issued date and the “valid for 12 months” cycle can help you confirm the next due window.
- Council lodgement receipt / email: many councils send a confirmation when your AFSS is accepted.
- Building compliance folder: strata managers often keep a single folder for AFSS, schedules and service reports.
- FRNSW submission confirmation: if you lodged online, keep the reference/receipt with your records.
If you manage multiple buildings, keep a simple register (address → due date → evidence location → contacts). Our tool is designed for exactly this workflow.
What usually sets the due date
Due date rules and reminders can vary between councils. In practice, the due date is commonly linked to an earlier compliance event for the building (for example, the first certificate issued for the schedule/measures) and then repeats annually.
When in doubt, treat your council’s advice as the source of truth for what date they will enforce — and document it in your register.
Planning backwards from the due date
- 6–8 weeks out: confirm schedule version + list of measures; book inspections/servicing.
- 3–6 weeks out: collect service reports, test results and rectification notes.
- 1–2 weeks out: finalise the AFSS template, confirm signatories, compile the lodgement package.
- Due week: lodge with council and FRNSW, store receipts, set next year’s reminders.
Get the NSW checklist
We’ll email the checklist + occasional updates as tools go live.
- AFSS lodgement checklist (NSW)
- Links to official templates
- Common mistakes that cause delays
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FAQs
Where can I find my building’s AFSS due date?
Start with last year’s AFSS and any council receipt/confirmation. If you can’t locate them, contact your local council to confirm the date on their records.
If I lodge early, does my due date change?
Some councils note that lodging early can affect the next 12‑month cycle, while others revert to a fixed annual date. Confirm with your local council so you don’t accidentally shift your reminders.
Do I have to lodge with both council and FRNSW?
Typically, yes — the owner provides the AFSS to the local council and Fire and Rescue NSW. Always confirm your council’s current process and FRNSW’s lodgement guidance.