Southern Fire Protection
Get a quote

Lodging your annual fire safety statement: council by council across the Illawarra, Southern Sydney and South Coast

By Southern Fire Protection. Published and last reviewed . About 6 minute read.

Every owner lodges an annual fire safety statement with two bodies: their local council and Fire and Rescue NSW. The council route differs from one council to the next. This guide collects what each council in our service area says, with links, as checked on 12 November 2026.

A four-storey apartment building with yellow and grey panels and balconies under a blue sky.
Stock photo, not a Southern Fire Protection installation. Photo by Mia Vargas on Pexels.

Key facts

  • Owners must give the statement to the council and a copy to Fire and Rescue NSW, and display the statement and current fire safety schedule in the building.3, 1
  • Fire and Rescue NSW has an online submission form, which councils point owners to.1
  • Georges River Council takes statements online only, with online payment.3
  • Shoalhaven City Council takes statements through its online portal and charges fees for submissions and overdue notices.4
  • Campbelltown City Council accepts statements by email, post or in person.5
  • Camden Council and Kiama Municipal Council ask for the current fire safety schedule with the statement.6, 7
  • Council penalties for a missing statement are reported as weekly notices of $1,000 to $4,000, with court fines of up to $110,000.3, 5, 6
  • Councils change their forms and fees. Check the council's own page before lodging.

Who do I lodge with?

Two places. The owner gives the statement to the local council, and gives a copy to Fire and Rescue NSW, which takes submissions through an online form.1, 3 The statement and the current fire safety schedule must also be displayed in a prominent place in the building.3 Use the NSW Government fire safety statement template.2, 3

For the rules on what the statement is and who can assess it, read our annual fire safety statements guide.

Illawarra

Wollongong City Council

Wollongong publishes its annual fire safety statement guidance, extension requests and fee information on its fire safety page.9 Read the page for the current lodgement method and fees before you submit. Wollongong fire safety statements.

Shellharbour City Council

We did not find a dedicated annual fire safety statement page on Shellharbour City Council's website on 12 November 2026. Contact the council on 02 4221 6111 or council@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au to confirm how it wants statements lodged. Shellharbour City Council.12

Kiama Municipal Council

Kiama says statements are provided to council and Fire and Rescue NSW and displayed inside the building, and links an annual fire safety statement form on its sub-page. It asks for the current fire safety schedule to accompany the statement.7, 8 Kiama annual fire safety statements.

South Coast and Southern Highlands

Shoalhaven City Council

Lodge online through the council's portal. Council charges fees for statement submissions, and an overdue notice carries a further fee listed in its fees and charges. It asks for one statement listing all installed measures, and asks for extension requests well ahead of the due date with evidence and a completion date.4 Shoalhaven fire safety program.

Wingecarribee Shire Council (Southern Highlands)

Owners lodge with the council and Fire and Rescue NSW. The council's Development Services fire safety page is the place to confirm the current route; its fire safety certificate lodgement form is for certificates, not annual statements.11 Wingecarribee fire safety.

Southern Sydney, Macarthur and Wollondilly

Sutherland Shire Council

Sutherland sets a fire safety administration fee, payable on the due date of the statement. Inspections must fall within three months before the statement is issued, and the council also asks for a copy to go to Fire and Rescue NSW.10 Sutherland fire safety statements.

Georges River Council (including Kogarah and Hurstville)

Georges River takes annual fire safety statements online only, through its online application, with payment made online. It can issue weekly penalty notices after the due date, and accepts a stay of penalty notice application at least two weeks before the due date. General enquiries: (02) 9330 6400 or mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.3 Georges River fire safety.

Campbelltown City Council

Campbelltown accepts statements by email, post or in person at its customer service counter, and says a copy must also go to Fire and Rescue NSW. It reports weekly penalty notices of $1,000 rising to $4,000 for a missing statement.5 Campbelltown fire safety.

Camden Council (including Narellan)

Camden provides an annual or supplementary fire safety statement form, asks for the current fire safety schedule with the submission, and has a request for extension of time form that does not automatically extend the due date. It reports weekly penalty notices of $1,000 rising to $4,000.6 Camden fire safety.

Wollondilly Shire Council (Picton, Thirlmere, Tahmoor, Bargo)

We did not find a dedicated annual fire safety statement page on Wollondilly Shire Council's website on 12 November 2026. Contact the council to confirm how it wants statements lodged. Wollondilly Shire Council.13

What should I attach?

  • The completed NSW Government fire safety statement, signed by the owner or the owner's agent.2, 3
  • The current fire safety schedule, where the council asks for it. Camden and Kiama do.6, 7
  • Payment of any council fee, where the council charges one.4, 10

What if I cannot lodge by the due date?

Ask early. Georges River Council accepts a stay of penalty notice application at least two weeks before the due date.3 Shoalhaven City Council asks for more than three weeks' notice for an extension request,4 and Camden Council's request does not automatically extend the due date.6 Penalty notices for a missing statement are reported at $1,000 to $4,000 a week, and court proceedings can result in fines of up to $110,000.3, 5, 6

Practical tips before you lodge

  • Check the council's page on the day. Forms, portals and fees change.
  • Lodge the council copy and the Fire and Rescue NSW copy together so neither is forgotten.
  • Keep a copy of each submission receipt with your service records.
  • Put the next due date in your strata or property calendar the day you lodge.

Need help with the servicing side? Ask us for a quote.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lodge with the council or Fire and Rescue NSW?

Both. Give the statement to your council, and give a copy to Fire and Rescue NSW through its online submission form.

Which council handles my building?

The council for the area the building is in: for example Wollongong, Shellharbour or Kiama in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven for Nowra and the South Coast, Wingecarribee for the Southern Highlands, Campbelltown or Camden for Macarthur, and Sutherland Shire or Georges River in Southern Sydney.

Can I lodge by email?

It depends on the council. Campbelltown accepts email, post or in person, while Georges River and Shoalhaven take statements online. Check your council's page.

Does my council charge a fee?

Some do. Sutherland Shire sets a fire safety administration fee payable on the due date, and Shoalhaven charges for submissions and overdue notices. Check your council's current fees and charges.

Do I attach the fire safety schedule?

Camden and Kiama ask for the current fire safety schedule with the statement. The schedule and statement must in any case be displayed in the building.

What are the penalties for lodging late?

Councils report weekly penalty notices of $1,000 to $4,000, and court proceedings can lead to fines of up to $110,000.

Sources and further reading

  1. Fire and Rescue NSW: Annual fire safety statement submission form The online route councils point owners to for the copy sent to Fire and Rescue NSW. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  2. NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure: Fire safety certification Page updated 28 May 2025. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  3. Georges River Council: Fire safety Online lodgement, stay of penalty notice and penalty information. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  4. Shoalhaven City Council: Fire safety program Online lodgement, fees, overdue notices and extension requests. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  5. Campbelltown City Council: Fire safety Lodgement options and penalties. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  6. Camden Council: Fire safety Statement form, schedule, penalties and stay of penalty. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  7. Kiama Municipal Council: Fire safety Parent page; the annual statement sub-page is linked from it. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  8. Kiama Municipal Council: Annual Fire Safety Statements (AFSS) Statement form and schedule requirement. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  9. Wollongong City Council: Annual fire safety statements Process, extension requests and fees. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  10. Sutherland Shire Council: Fire safety certificates and statements Fire safety administration fee and lodgement rules. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  11. Wingecarribee Shire Council: Fire safety Development Services fire safety page. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  12. Shellharbour City Council No dedicated annual fire safety statement page was found on 12 November 2026. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  13. Wollondilly Shire Council No dedicated annual fire safety statement page was found on 12 November 2026. Accessed 12 November 2026.
  14. Building Commission NSW: Responsibilities of building owners under AS 1851-2012 Last updated 12 February 2026. Accessed 12 November 2026.

Checked against the sources above on 12 November 2026. Rules, forms, fees and council processes change, so confirm the details with the source or your council before you act. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Southern Fire Protection is not affiliated with any of the bodies listed.

Need your fire equipment serviced?

We inspect, test and service fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire blankets, emergency and exit lighting and fire and smoke doors across Wollongong, the Illawarra, Southern Sydney and the South Coast.

Get a quote