The Lawler Labor Government has partnered with Housing Industry Association (HIA) to offer free training places to assist builders in the Northern Territory obtain commercial registration.
The Territory Labor Government passed legislation to amend the Building Act 1993 earlier this year with commercial registration for building contractors in the NT required by 15 April 2025.
NT builders can undertake the HIA Diploma of Building and Construction online and will gain the qualification required for an unrestricted commercial builder or diversify into other areas of building and construction on successful completion.
To support experienced and skilled commercial building practitioners, the changes to building legislation are being rolled out in two stages:
Stage 1 provides a 12-month transition for builders to obtain commercial registration (by 14 April 2025). During this transition period, a grandfathering initiative is utilised for current experienced NT builders to be registered, without needing to meet qualification requirements.
Stage 2 commences 12 months after Stage 1, when it becomes a legal requirement to have a registered commercial builder for new commercial building work.