Building regulation

Building Practitioners in the Northern Territory are required to hold appropriate registration to work in the building industry.

To build trust and capability in the industry and help monitor and regulate practitioners’ competence and compliance, the Building Practitioners Board is established by the Building Act 1993.

Builders registration

If you intend to carry out building work in the Northern Territory, you must be registered with the Building Practitioners Board as a Building Contractor.

Work that requires a registered building contractor:

• 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 livings areas, bedrooms and enclosed attached garages to existing single houses and residential units; and
• retaining walls associated with the actual structure of a single house or residential unit
• commercial and industrial buildings
• where the cost is above $12,000.

Search the Register of Building Practitioners.

Work that does not require a registered builder:

• renovations or alterations to existing buildings where there is no increase in the floor area or height
• renovations where there is no alterations to structural elements
• free standing sheds or fences
• retaining walls not associated with the building
• verandas or open carports being added to existing buildings
• renovations where there is no change in the building classification under the National Construction Code.

Scope of works for all registration categories

View practitioners for details of the scope of work which can be undertaken by each category and to see a complete list of registered building practitioners.

(Note: the above exclusions do not alter the requirements for building permits)

Complaints about building practitioners

If you are not satisfied with the performance, work or conduct of a registered building practitioner, there are different avenues available, depending on the outcome you are seeking.

If you are seeking a rectification order, for example, if you would like defective building work rectified, please contact the Commissioner of Residential Building Disputes, through Consumer Affairs for more information on 08 8999 1999 or visit the Consumer Affairs website.

From 1 January 2013, certain building work such as new houses, duplexes, townhouses, units (up to three residential storeys), and extensions to those buildings, are covered by consumer guarantees. The Commissioner of Residential Building Disputes may hear an application for the rectification of building work if there has been a breach of a consumer guarantee in certain circumstances.

If you are seeking professional disciplinary action against a building practitioner, for example, you allege the practitioner is guilty of professional misconduct, or has breached the Building Act or Regulations, you may lodge a written complaint with the Director of Building Control. The Director of Building Control may investigate allegations of professional misconduct and allegations of offences under the Building Act and Regulations. Outcomes of those investigations include possible referral to the Building Practitioners Board for inquiry, or prosecution.

If the practitioner is found guilty, the practitioner may be subject to penalties including fines and suspension or loss of registration. For further information on the professional disciplinary complaints process, visit building complaints and disputes or call the Audit and Investigations Manager on 08 8936 4082.

For a list of upcoming public inquiries view upcoming public inquiries.