Metropolitan planning levy certificates

Key information

The metropolitan planning levy (MPL) is a charge for making a planning permit application. 

You must submit an MPL certificate with your planning permit application if:

• you want to apply for a planning permit to develop land in metropolitan Melbourne
• your estimated development costs are more than $1,311,000 (threshold as of 1 July 2025).

Your planning permit application will not be processed by the responsible planning authority without this certificate. All MPL certificate applicants should engage with the relevant planning authority to ensure their leviable permit application is ready to be lodged before applying for an MPL certificate.

The estimated cost of the development stated in the MPL certificate must be equal to or greater than the estimated cost stated in your planning permit application.

Getting an MPL certificate

To get an MPL certificate, you need to complete and submit an online application and pay the levy.

We issue a certificate once you have paid the levy based on the estimated cost of the development.

The certificate contains the following information:

1. The estimated cost of the development.
2. The amount of the levy paid.
3. A statement confirming the full levy has been paid based on the estimated cost of the development.
4. The certificate's issue and expiry dates.
5. The name and address of the applicant.
6. Any other information we consider appropriate.

An MPL certificate expires 180 days after its issue date. Extensions are not available.

If your certificate expires before you apply for your planning permit, you need to submit a new certificate application and pay the levy again.

Revised MPL certificates

If the estimated cost of the development increases after you receive your original certificate but before you apply for the planning permit, you need a revised MPL certificate. We will issue a revised certificate if you meet these conditions:

• You apply within 180 days of the issue date of your original certificate.
• You have paid the extra levy amount that applies to the increased estimated cost of the development.

We may also issue a revised MPL certificate:

• to correct any errors
• if the estimated cost stated in the certificate is different from the cost stated in your application and the cost has not changed.

A revised certificate will contain the same pieces of information as an original certificate.

A revised certificate expires 90 days after its issue date or the date the original levy certificate expires (whichever is later). Extensions are not available. 

You can apply for a revised certificate by submitting an online application form.

Refunds

We can only refund the levy if:

• you email us your request within 30 days after the expiry date of your certificate
• you have not made the leviable planning permit application yet
• we are satisfied:
  • there has been a mathematical error in calculating the levy
  • the applicant died before the leviable planning permit application was made, and no one else is proceeding with the application
  • the relevant planning scheme was amended before the leviable planning permit application was made, meaning the authority must reject the permit application.

We cannot refund the levy in any other circumstances, including where:

• the estimated cost of the development decreases
• you do not lodge your planning permit application
• your application lapses, is refused or is withdrawn
• the threshold amount increases after you apply for your planning permit
• your planning permit application is cancelled after it is granted.

Exemption

You can apply for an exemption if you:

• intend to make an eligible planning permit application to the Minister for Planning, and 
• have already paid the levy for a previous permit application for the same development on the same land.

You may be eligible for an exemption if the estimated cost of the development has not increased by more than 10% from the previous permit application.

Email infrastructure.contributions@transport.vic.gov.au to check eligibility and receive an application form. To learn more, visit the Department of Transport and Planning's website.