Guide to builder Registration in Northern Territory

Although it is not always simple to determine, it is very important to ensure you are aware of the rules regarding registration. If you are not registered when you need to be, then you are exposed to several risks, including fines for carrying out unregistered building work.

Registration requirements

Types of registration

Under the Building Act, you must be registered with the Building Practitioners Board (the Board) if you fall into one of the following categories:

• Building Contractor 
• Building Practitioner, including:
  • Building certifier
  • Certifying architect
  • Certifying plumber and drainer
  • Certifying engineer (structural, mechanical and hydraulic) 

Types of work

Builders must be licensed in the Building Contractor category to carry out building works where the value is $12,000 or more, including:

• New single houses, townhouses, duplexes, and new residential units to any height 
• Verandas, garages and carports built as part of new single dwellings and residential units 
• Extensions such as living areas, bedrooms and enclosed attached garages to existing single houses and residential units 
• Retaining walls associated with the structure of a single house or residential unit 
• Commercial and industrial buildings 

Registration is not required for the following types of building work:

• Renovations or alterations to existing buildings where there is no increase in the floor area or height 
• Renovations where there are no alterations to structural elements 
• Free standing sheds or fences 
• Verandas or open carports being added to existing buildings 
• Renovations where there is no change in the building classification under the National Construction Code

There are also different categories of registration for different types of residential and commercial building work.

Building contractor registration

Building contractors can be registered as either individuals or as companies, depending on the structure of the business.

Individuals

To be eligible for registration as an individual building contractor you must:

• Hold a Certificate IV in Building and Construction or equivalent 
• Provide a resume and project list detailing three years practical experience in carrying out relevant building work 
• Have at least three written references from registered building practitioners who can verify your experience 
• Be a fit and proper person to hold the registration 
• Provide a Net Assets Certificate from your accountant showing you have net tangible assets of at least $50,000

If you are already registered or licenced to carry out building work in another jurisdiction, there may be other avenues for registration available via mutual recognition.

Companies

To be eligible to register a company as a building contractor, the Board must be satisfied that:

• All the directors of the company would be fit and proper persons to be registered if the application had been made by them personally; 
• At least one director or nominee of the company is a building practitioner in the category of building contractor to which the application relates; 
• That director must play an active role in the management of the company and will provide adequate supervision of the building work carried out by the corporation; and 
• The company holds (and will be holding) at least $50,000 in net financial assets.

Do not split contracts

There is a misconception that you can avoid the requirements for builder registration or obtaining the relevant permits and approvals by splitting the work across a number of lower value contracts. Builders engaging in contract splitting to deliberately avoid meeting regulatory requirements could face regulatory action.