How to check a tradie licence in the Northern Territory

Hiring a tradie in Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs or anywhere else in the Northern Territory? Before you accept a quote, it's worth spending a few minutes confirming they're licensed or registered for the job. In the NT there isn't one single register for every trade. Electricians, plumbers and builders are each checked in a different place, but every check is free and online.

This guide walks through where to look for each trade, what to read on a result, and what else to check before work starts.

Electricians: NT WorkSafe

Electrical work in the NT is licensed through NT WorkSafe. Its page on finding a licensed electrical contractor says you should always use a licensed electrical contractor, and that it's illegal to do your own electrical work if you're unlicensed.

That page also explains an important difference:

• Licensed electrical worker: a qualified electrician who must be employed by someone else and isn't allowed to work for themselves or invoice a customer.
• Licensed electrical contractor: a business whose director, or a nominated person, holds the extra qualifications to run electrical work. Contractors can issue electrical certificates of compliance.

So if you're paying someone directly for electrical work, the business you hire should hold a contractor licence, not just a worker licence. NT WorkSafe also publishes a list where you can check an electrical worker's licence, with links to the list of licensed contractors.

One quirk worth knowing: NT WorkSafe notes that some records may show an expiry date that has passed while the status still says current. That can happen when a renewal was lodged before the licence expired and hasn't been processed yet. If in doubt, ask the electrician or contact NT WorkSafe.

Plumbers and drainers: the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board

Plumbing in the NT is overseen by the NT Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board. Its home page has a table of currently licensed plumbers and drainers, searchable by name or licence number.

A few things the board points out:

• A journeyman is not a licensed plumber and can't contract directly with a customer. Their work must be supervised by a licensed advanced tradesman.
• A licensed plumber who wants to certify (sign off) work must also be registered as a certifying plumber and drainer with the Building Practitioners Board.
• If you can't find your plumber on the list, the board suggests contacting its office to confirm whether they're licensed.

Builders: the Building Practitioners Board

Builders, building certifiers and certifying engineers and plumbers are registered with the NT Building Practitioners Board. The NT Government's check if your builder is registered page sends you to the Public Register of Building Practitioners, where you can search by name, registration number or area.

Not every building job needs a registered builder. The Building Practitioners Board lists work that does, such as new houses and units, and extensions like living areas and bedrooms. It also lists prescribed residential building work where the cost is above $25,000. The same page lists work that generally doesn't need a registered builder, such as free-standing sheds, fences, and renovations with no structural changes or increase in floor area. Permit rules are separate, so check with the board or a building certifier if you're unsure about your project.

When you open a builder's entry, check the registration category. The board's practitioners page explains that categories cover different scopes of work, for example restricted and unrestricted residential contractors, so make sure the category fits your job.

What to check on any result

Whichever register you're using, look at:

• Status: is the licence or registration current?
• Type or category: does it cover the work you want done?
• Name: does it match the person or business on your quote and invoice?
• Expiry: is it valid for the length of your job?

The NT Government's choosing a builder or contractor page also suggests checking company details on ASIC's free registers and looking at the board's list of disciplinary actions.

Don't stop at the licence

A licence tells you someone is authorised to do certain work. It doesn't cover everything:

• Insurance: ask for a certificate of currency for public liability insurance. See our guide on whether your tradie needs public liability insurance.
• Quotes: the NT Government suggests getting at least three itemised quotes. Our guide to comparing tradie quotes can help.
• Contracts: for bigger building jobs, read what to put in a building contract.
• Payments: be careful with large upfront payments. Read our tips on deposits and progress payments.

If something doesn't add up

If you can't find the tradie, the name doesn't match, or the licence looks expired or cancelled, hold off on signing or paying. Ask them to show you their licence card and explain. If you're still unsure, contact the relevant regulator, or find another tradie.

Keep a dated screenshot of the register entry with your job paperwork, and check again if the job runs long or a new tradie joins.

Find a tradie in the NT

Browse electricians in Darwin, plumbers in Darwin, builders in Palmerston or electricians in Alice Springs, or search electricians, plumbers and builders across Australia. For other states and territories, see our guide to checking a tradie's licence across Australia.

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Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official sources linked above for your state.