can you have a basement in australia

Yes, you can absolutely build a basement in Australia; it’s not Narnia, just engineering, approvals and a healthy excavation bill. The National Construction Code allows it, but your local council and a geotech report will have strong opinions about soil type, groundwater, flooding and bushfire overlays. Expect extra cost for serious waterproofing, drainage (think sump pumps and membranes), ventilation, and proper egress if any space is habitable. Sloping blocks and inner-city sites love a basement; high water tables and flood zones, not so much. Get a designer and engineer on it early, and brace for a budget line labelled “dirt removal” that reads like a phone number.