Building Advisory Services Branch
Building Advisory Services Branch administers the Building Act and associated Building Regulations to ensure that structures within building control areas of the Northern Territory achieve minimum structural, fire, safety, health and amenity standards.
Building Advisory Services Branch also administers the regulation of plumbing. The Plumbers & Drainers Licensing Act applies to plumbing licence areas.
Registered building certifiers assess building applications, issue building permits, undertake site inspections and issue permits to occupy on satisfactory completion of any building works.
Latest News
Building confidence boost from January 1
Minister for Lands and Planning Gerry McCarthy has announced that builders and consumers will receive a confidence boost from 1 January, 2013, when the Residential Building Cover package begins. Mr McCarthy said building a new home was a significant investment for families and given expected Territory growth, all parties needed to be protected. "As we enter the next stage of Territory growth we need to ensure that home buyers and builders feel confident that they are protected from unforeseen circumstances during construction," he said. Media release
Disability Access to Premises and Housekeeping matters Bill
The Minister for Lands and Planning introduced a third Bill in the Legislative Assembly on 23 February that is proposed to amend the Building Act. The Bill addresses housekeeping matters in addition to providing a response to the commencement of the Commonwealth Disability Access to Premises Buildings Standards 2010. More information
National Construction Code – Adoption of Plumbing Code of Australia
A consultation draft of proposed changes to the Building Regulations has been prepared regarding the commencement of the National Construction Code of Australia (NCC).
The opportunity is now given to the community and industry to provide input on the proposal to adopt the Plumbing Code of Australia, which forms part of the NCC by making a submission. More information.
Moratorium extended to give building owners more time to comply
The Moratorium to allow the owners of building structures existing before 28 April 2009 that are unauthorised or have incomplete certification to achieve compliance has been extended to 30 June 2013. More Information
Installation of Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
On 8 April the Building Advisory Committee issued a policy which gives an exemption from a building permit for the installation of PV panels on Class 1 and 10 buildings in non-cyclonic regions of the NT. Until testing is carried out on the panels themselves, a building permit is required if you wish to install PV panels in cyclonic areas. The policy can be found on the Building Advisory Committee web page.
Residential Building Cover
On 27 March 2012, the Legislative Assembly passed two bills that will pave the way for increased protection for home buyers and builders. For more information on the package, click here.