Commercial building registrations
On 15 April 2024, commercial building contractor registrations (restricted and unrestricted) were introduced requiring all new buildings in the Northern Territory to have a registered building practitioner.
Registering building practitioners ensures they have the appropriate qualifications and experience to build specific buildings, gives confidence to consumers and reinforces trust in the local building industry.
Building Advisory Services (BAS) in collaboration with the former Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) has been introducing priority building reforms as part of national recommendations published in a Building Confidence Report (BCR) commissioned by the Building Ministers’ Forum. Registration of building practitioners involved in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and consistent requirements for registration are key recommendations from the BCR that the Northern Territory has committed to implement. These reforms aim to strengthen the building regulation framework to provide enhanced consumer awareness and protection.
Legislation amendments were introduced on 15 February 2024 expanding building contractor registrations to include building contractor commercial registration sub-categories: building contractor commercial restricted and unrestricted. These 2 new commercial registration categories were determined after consulting with industry and internal stakeholders, the former Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism. The legislative amendments are being rolled out in 2 stages with Stage 1 currently underway providing a transition period for industry to obtain a commercial registration using the grandfathering initiative, before any offences are introduced.
This 12-month initiative allows builders to obtain registration without meeting qualification requirements. Stage 1 ceases on 14 April 2025, with Stage 2 automatically commencing on 15 April 2025 and will require all new commercial building work to require a registered building contractor and new applications for a commercial registration will require the relevant qualification.
In addition to the introduction of commercial building registrations, the BAS team has commenced working on another priority building reform, to develop a continuing professional development scheme known as continuing professional development (CPD). The BAS team will again collaborate with industry stakeholders and the now Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations in the development and introduction of a CPD scheme. CPD is a continuing professional development scheme ensuring all registered building practitioners maintain their skills and knowledge, particularly around the National Construction Code.
BAS is excited to be implementing these priority building reforms. Watch this space!
