Building Contractor Registrations

The Northern Territory Government is prioritising reforms to building regulations to ensure confidence in the local building industry. In December 2022, the Minister announced commercial builder registration would be introduced in the Northern Territory and provided a model of the registration.

The introduction of building contractor commercial (restricted) and building contractor commercial (unrestricted) sub-categories requires amendments to the Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 1993. The model announced in late 2022 included provision for endorsements to be placed on a registration to provide for a building practitioner to undertake work across both residential and commercial categories without paying for separate licences.

During the preparation of legislation, a simplified registration system was identified using the existing framework and not requiring endorsements. This minor change will allow a building contractor to hold both a commercial and residential registration and only have to pay for one registration fee.

Attachment A - outline of model PDF (151.8 KB)

These changes will impact people undertaking building work on Class 1b and Class 3 – 9 buildings who currently do not need to be registered. People currently undertaking such building work will be able to be registered through ‘grandfathering’ based on their building experience and will not be required to meet qualification requirements. The grandfathering initiative will be available for a 12 month transition period.

Attachment B - Proposed Grandfathering Fact Sheet PDF (123.1 KB)

At the end of the 12 month grandfathering period, all new commercial building works will require a registered building practitioner.

Industry and the general public will be kept informed as this work progresses.

For more information, email bas.policy@nt.gov.au.