Business and professional licences and registration

Apply for pest management technician licence

If you charge a fee for pest control services, you must have either:

Find out more below or read about hiring a technician to see the NT pest management technician licence register.

You must have a licence to use pesticides for pest control listed in schedules 5, 6 and 7.

This includes using them to manage any of the following:

  • insects
  • rodents
  • birds
  • nematodes
  • bacteria
  • fungi
  • weeds
  • other forms of animal life or viruses that are pests.

If you need to possess or use a schedule 7 fumigant for fee or reward, you must also get fumigation endorsement.

To find out more, read the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012 and the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulations 2014.

Pest management licences may be issued for one, two or three years.

To be eligible for an NT licence you are required to be a permanent resident of the NT with a fixed address.

Mutual Recognition can be applied for if you are transferring from interstate and moving to the NT permanently.

To apply for a licence, follow the below steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application

Fill in the pest management technician licence application DOCX (72.0 KB).

Step 2. Attach supporting documents

You must provide both of the following:

  • evidence of successful completion of competency units 5, 6 and 18 of the Certificate III in Pest Management or equivalent
  • a certified colour photograph.

Step 3. Pay the fee

Check and pay the relevant pest management fee.

You can pay for one, two or three years.

Step 4. Submit the application

Submit the application, supporting documents and a copy of your payment receipt by mail, email or fax to:

Medicines and Poisons
Department of Health
PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811
poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au

Fax: 08 8922 7200

If you hold an equivalent pest management technician licence in another state or territory and you are coming to the NT to work, you can apply for Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR).

This allows you to conduct Pest Management Technician activities while you are in the NT as long as your original licence remains valid.

If you now intend to reside permanently in the NT you must apply for an NT pest management technician licence.

To apply for mutual recognition, follow the below steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application

Fill in the automatic mutual recognition (AMR) licence notification form DOCX (67.5 KB).

Step 2. Attach supporting documents

You must provide both of the following:

  • a copy of your current equivalent licence
  • a certified colour photograph.

Step 3. Pay the fee

Check and pay the relevant pest management fee.

You can pay for one, two or three years.

Step 4. Submit the application

Submit the application, supporting documents and a copy of your payment receipt by mail, email or fax to:

Medicines and Poisons
Department of Health
PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811
poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au

Fax: 08 8922 7200

A renewal notice will be sent to your recorded email or postal address.

To update or change your contact details, contact Medicines and Poisons Control and quote your licence number.

You must keep records of transactions for all substances on your licence for two years.

A dedicated register is required to record all transactions for dangerous poisons, known as Schedule 7 substances.

This means recording details of stock in, balance and stock out.

Register templates

You can record your transactions on either of the following registers on the Department of Health Library Services ePublications:

Bed bugs

To read the code of practice for control of bed bug infestations in Australia, go to the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association website.

You must hold a pest management technician licence to advertise pest control services.

Advertising for pest management services must contain a pest control licence technician number either of the:

  • business owner or
  • licensed pest control technician.

It is an offence to advertise pest control services without a licence or to advertise without the display of a licence number.

Contact

Medicines and Poisons
Department of Health
8th floor Manunda Place
38 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au

Phone: 08 8922 7341
Fax: 08 8922 7200


Apply or renew an auctioneer's licence

You must have an auctioneer's licence to sell goods or property by auction in the Northern Territory (NT).

This is required under the Auctioneers Act 1935.

You can apply for a licence period of 1, 3 or 5 years.

A licence will expire on the anniversary of the date it was granted.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you must:

How to apply

Find out how you can apply below.

You will need to pay a fee.

Online

To apply and pay for your licence online, go to Licensing NT Online.

By mail, email, fax, or in person

To apply by mail, email, fax, or in person, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the form.

Auctioneer's licence form PDF (628.0 KB)
Auctioneer's licence form DOCX (69.6 KB)

You can also get this form at a Territory Business Centre.

Step 2. Submit your application and pay the fee at your local Territory Business Centre.

If you're a licence holder, you must renew within 14 days before it expires.

Online

To renew and pay online, go to Licensing NT Online.

By mail, email, fax, or in person

To renew, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the renewal form.

Auctioneer's licence renewal form PDF (167.7 KB)
Auctioneer's licence renewal form DOCX (68.5 KB)

You can also get this form at a Territory Business Centre.

Step 2. Submit the application and fee at your local Territory Business Centre.

If you have an auctioneer's licence in another state or territory, you can apply for mutual recognition.

To apply for mutual recognition, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the mutual recognition form.

Mutual recognition form PDF (643.7 KB)
Mutual recognition form DOCX (70.6 KB)

Step 2. Submit the application and fee at your local Territory Business Centre.

Fees

Auctioneer's licence fees do not include GST.

ItemFee
Apply or renew for 1 year$441
Apply or renew for 3 years$1,190
Apply or renew for 5 years$1,985

After you apply

After your application has been received, it will be granted or rejected within 28 days.

If your application is rejected, you will get a refund.

Contact

For more information, contact your local Territory Business Centre.


Builders and building certifiers

If you want to work as a builder or building certifier, or set up a building company in the Northern Territory (NT), you must apply for NT registration.

You will need to register with the Building Practitioners Board.

For more information, go to the Builders Practitioners Board website.

Interstate registered builders

If you are registered as a builder in another state or territory, you can apply for NT registration under mutual recognition in the equivalent category.

To search for an NT equivalent, go to the Australian Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.


Certifying engineers and architects

This page has information for building engineers and architects who want to work in the Northern Territory (NT).

Engineers

To work as a certifying engineer in the NT, you must apply for registration.

For more information, go to the Building Practitioners Board website.

Interstate licences

If you are already registered in another state or territory, you can apply for NT registration under mutual recognition.

To search for an NT equivalent, go to the Australian Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Architects

If you want to work as a certifying architect in the NT, you need to apply for registration.

For more information, go to the NT Architects Board website.


Contact Licensing NT

Town Contact details Location address Postal address
Darwin
(head office)
Phone: 08 8999 1800
ditt.licensingnt@nt.gov.au
Level 3 
NAB House
71 Smith Street
Darwin NT 0800
GPO Box 1154
Darwin NT 0801
Katherine Phone: 08 8973 8810 or
08 8973 8811
liquorcompliance.ditt@nt.gov.au
Ground Floor
Randazzo Building
18 Katherine Terrace
Katherine NT 0850
PO Box 2138
Katherine NT 0851
Tennant Creek Phone: 08 8962 4330
liquorcompliance.ditt@nt.gov.au
Ground Floor
Barkly House
Paterson Street
Tennant Creek NT 0860
PO Box 1027
Tennant Creek NT 0861
Alice Springs Phone: 08 8951 5195
liquorcompliance.ditt@nt.gov.au
Level 1
The Green Well Building
50 Bath Street
Alice Springs NT 0870
PO Box 8470
Alice Springs NT 0871

Electrical licences

If you want to work as an electrician or set up business as an electrical contractor in the Northern Territory (NT) you must apply for NT registration.

You must register with the Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Board. 

Go to the Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Board website for more information.


Licensing NT Online

You can apply for and renew business and professional licences and registrations using Licensing NT Online.

This service is available for licences and registrations related to the following professions and industries:

  • auctioneers
  • agent's representatives
  • associations
  • commercial and private agents
  • escort
  • gambling
  • gaming machine
  • liquor
  • lotteries
  • motor vehicle dealers
  • pawnbrokers and second hand dealers
  • real estate, business and conveyancing agents
  • security
  • tobacco
  • totalisator.

You can get information about holders of these licences in the Northern Territory (NT) by searching the public register.

You can also check the progress of an application or submit more supporting documents if needed.

You will need to register to use this service to apply for or renew your licence.

Apply or renew online

Apply or renew licences or registration for professions and industries listed above.

Apply or renew

On the Licensing NT website

Search for a licensee

You can search the public register to get licence information about professions and industries listed above in the NT.

Search the register

On the Licensing NT website

Board members

You can process applications here if you are a delegate of the Agents Licensing Board of the Northern Territory.

Check application

On the Licensing NT website

Contact

For all licensing enquiries, contact Occupational Licensing by:


Medicines and poisons permits

You will need an authorisation for your workplace if you use:

  • dangerous poisons - schedule 7
  • prescription only medicines - schedule 4
  • controlled drugs - schedule 8.

People who may need to use scheduled medicines include:

  • rangers
  • researchers
  • animal control officers
  • laboratories.

People who may need to use dangerous poisons include:

  • power and water workers
  • welders
  • mine workers
  • laboratories.

Read more about agricultural and veterinary laws and rules.

Find out about permission to stock medicines or poisons in your medical kit.

What you need authorisation for

You must be authorised to use schedule 4, 7, and 8 substances.

You don't need authorisation to use schedule 5 or 6 substances.

Authorisations are valid for 1, 2 or 3 years.

Only the authorised person or somebody under their direct supervision can use the medicines or poisons.

You can only use the medicines or poisons for the purpose stated.

For more information about medicine and poison scheduling, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health Therapeutic Goods Administration website.

How to apply

To apply to possess and use a schedule 4, 7 or 8 substance, follow the below steps.

Step 1. Fill in the form

Fill in the possess and use a schedule 4, 7 or 8 substance form:

You must show all of the following in your form:

  • your organisation has procedures and guidelines for use of the medicines and poisons that:
    • promote safe handling, use and disposal
    • have been endorsed by a veterinarian, if substances are for use on animals
    • address storage and record keeping requirements
  • a relationship between your organisation and a veterinarian to advise you and check your skills, if substances are for use on animals
  • the substances will be stored safely
  • you understand the need for accurate records of purchase and use
  • the arrangements your organisation has to return or dispose of medicines and poisons
  • evidence of personal safety equipment and antidotes, if appropriate.

Step 2. Attach supporting documents

You must:

  • show what you will use the medicines or poisons eg. sedating wild animals or for use in a laboratory
  • provide evidence from your employer that you're doing this work.

The supporting documents you must submit include all of the following:

  • a letter from your organisation supporting the application
  • a letter from the supervising veterinarian supporting the application, if substances are for use on animals
  • written procedures for handling and using each substance
  • a written exit strategy showing what you will do with substances if:
    • the authorised person goes on leave or resigns
    • the business closes
    • there is a flood, cyclone or other emergency
    • research is completed.

To find out more about exit strategies, get the exit strategy information sheet DOCX (56.4 KB).

Step 3. Pay the fee

The fee for an authorisation is $67 per year.

You can renew your licence for 1, 2 or 3 years.

You can pay by cheque, money order or credit card.

Payments must be made to the Darwin Receiver of Territory Monies.

Step 4. Submit the form

Submit the form, supporting documents and a copy of your payment receipt by mail, email or fax to:

Medicines and Poisons
Department of Health
PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811
poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au

Fax: 08 8922 7200

Records

The authorisation document is your authority to keep and use the named poisons or medicines - keep it in a safe place.

You must:

  • show it to your supplier each time you make a purchase and sign their purchase register
  • keep all delivery dockets or invoices related to the medicines or poisons
  • keep a register which shows the date, supplier, amount and type of substance received - you must record when and how much you have used.

Records must be kept for 2 years from the date of the last entry.

Conditions

Medicines or poisons must not be kept or used at any address other than that stated in the authorisation document.

Read about storing medicines and poisons.

Contact

Medicines and Poisons
5th Floor Manunda Place
38 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au

Phone: 08 8922 7341
Fax: 08 8922 7200


Operate a sex services business

If you want to operate a sex services business that has three or more sex workers, you must apply for a suitability certificate.

What a sex services business does

A sex services business provides for, or arranges, sex work.

This includes services provided on the premises or in a different location.

Who can apply

Individuals, companies, partnerships and body corporates can apply for a suitability certificate.

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • have not been found guilty of a relevant offence – see below
  • have not been bankrupt
  • have not had a suitability certificate or similar certificate revoked in another state or territory.

Relevant offences

You can't apply for a suitability certificate if you have been found guilty of any of these indictable offences:

  • dangerous drug use or possession - other than, less than a traffickable quantity
  • assault
  • sexual assault
  • fraud or dishonesty
  • theft
  • against the Fair Work Act 2009 (Commonwealth) or a work health and safety law.

How to apply

You must apply for a suitability certificate before you operate your sexual services business.

If you are a body corporate or partnership, you must apply for a suitability certificate for:

  • each executive officer and nominee of a body corporate
  • each partner in a partnership.

An executive officer of a body corporate is someone who is a director or takes part in the management of the organisation.

You must get a police history check.

By email, mail, fax or in person

To apply by mail, email, fax or in person, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application for a sex services operator's suitability certificate.

application for a sex services operator's suitability certificate DOCX (76.5 KB)
application for a sex services operator's suitability certificate  PDF (192.6 KB).

Step 2. Pay the $135 application fee.

Step 3. Submit your application and fee at any Territory Business Centre.

After you apply

If your application is approved, you will receive your certificate in the post.

You won’t need to renew your certificate while you operate your business.

If you move to another sexual services business, you will need to apply for a separate certificate.

Rules for advertising your business

There are guidelines you must follow if you want to advertise your sexual services business.


Plumbing and drainers licences

If you want to work as a plumber in the Northern Territory (NT) or set up a plumbing business, you must apply for NT registration.

To find out more, go to the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board website.

If you're currently registered as a plumber in another state or territory, you can apply for NT registration under mutual recognition in the equivalent category.

To search for an NT equivalent, go to the Australian Government's Department Employment and Workplace Relations website.


Police and probity checks for licensing

When you apply to the Northern Territory (NT) Government for business and professional licences, you must show you're a fit and proper person, company or organisation to hold a licence.

This can involve one or more of the following checks:

  • nationally coordinated criminal history check
  • police fingerprint check
  • probity check.

Nationally coordinated criminal history check

A nationally coordinated criminal history check (NCCHC) searches for criminal or traffic convictions that are recorded against your name in any Australian state or territory.

This information goes to the government and forms part of your application.

For some licences, if you live, or have recently lived in another country, you may also have to provide a police report and financial records from that country to Occupational Licensing.

In the NT, you can apply for a NCCHC online by going to the Safe NT website.

When you're asked where the results should go, you must use the following address:

Occupational Licensing
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
GPO Box 9800
DARWIN NT 0801

You can also apply by filling in the below form and submitting it by mail, email or in person to a Territory Business Centre:

This process is faster as results don't have to be mailed.

This form gives your permission for all of the following:

  • a check of criminal records or other information held by NT and interstate police
  • the release of details of any convictions against you in the NT or elsewhere (convictions over 10 years old may not be considered unless relevant to the licence applied for).

Your personal information will be handled in accordance with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade's privacy policy.

To find out more, go to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.

Police fingerprint check

You must get a police fingerprint check to get permits and licences involving the safety or security of people or property.

You can get your fingerprint check when you apply for your criminal history check online by calling Safe NT on 1800 723 368 before you submit your application.

To only get a fingerprint check, follow these steps:

Step 1. If you live in Darwin or the greater Darwin area, call Safe NT on 1800 723 368 to arrange an appointment. For other areas in the NT, contact your local NT Police station.

Step 2. Go to Safe NT or your local NT Police station and fill in and submit the relevant form.

Step 3. Pay the relevant fee for your licence type.

Step 4. Get your fingerprints taken.

When you no longer hold a licence or you're refused a Machine Manager licence or a Gaming Machine Repairer licence, your fingerprints and palm prints have to be destroyed.

Probity check

A probity check investigates the background of a company, organisation or person to see if they're fit to hold the licence or authorisation they have applied for.

It investigates the previous history and activities of organisations and individuals including financial records and legal matters.

Not all probity checks are the same. The information needed depends on the type of licence and the laws and regulations that apply to it.

Before a probity check can be done, a person or organisation must give their permission.

You can give your permission by filling in the below form and submitting it with your licence application.

This gives your bank or other financial institution permission to release financial records and other documents to Occupational Licensing or NT Police.

You may also be asked to authorise release of police history. You can do this by filling in and signing the above NCCHC informed consent form.

This gives Occupational Licensing, NT Police, or any other investigative authority permission to make any investigations or inquiries necessary to process your licence or permit application.

How probity checks are done

Once you have signed the deed of release and indemnity, Occupational Licensing or NT Police will check your information against the criteria for the licence you have applied for.

If Occupational Licensing refuses your application for a licence or permit as a result of the probity check, you do have the right to appeal.

To appeal, contact Occupational Licensing.


Public health guidelines for group homes

Group homes are residences for students or other groups of people who cannot provide their own accommodation.

Group homes are not run as commercial businesses.

Keep group homes healthy

Unlike traditional family homes, group homes may accommodate larger numbers of people.

When many residents share the same facilities (eg. kitchen, bathroom, laundry), it can increase their risk of getting sick.

Group homes must have high public health standards to minimise disease transmission and other health-related issues.

This affects all stages of a group home’s lifecycle, including:

  • design
  • construction
  • operation
  • maintenance.

Guidelines

For more information about how to keep group homes healthy, read public health guidelines for group homes.

Public health guidelines for group homes DOCX (178.0 KB)
Public health guidelines for group homes PDF (361.9 KB)

More information

For more information contact Environmental Health. For their contact details, go to the NT Health website.


Radiation licence forms

This page has radiation licence forms only.

Holders of individual radiation licences and accreditations (not management or possess licences) in other states and territories of Australia, may be eligible for automatic mutual recognition under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth).

For more information about eligibility contact Radiation Protection.

Name of formWhen you should use this form
Application for a licence to possess a radiation source (radiation protection plan) DOCX (63.5 KB)Use this form to apply for or renew a licence to possess a radiation source.
Application for a licence to the Chief Health Officer DOCX (60.3 KB)

Use this form to apply for or renew a radiation licence.

Single application for accreditation DOCX (62.4 KB)

Use this form to renew or apply to be an accredited individual.

Application to register radiation apparatus DOCX (60.5 KB)Use this form to apply to register a radiation apparatus
Application to register radiation place DOCX (61.8 KB)Use this form to apply to register a radiation place.
Application to register sealed radiation source DOCX (60.6 KB)Use this form to apply to register a radiation source.

Receiver of Territory Monies (RTM) contacts

RTM offices are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm.

LocationMailEmailPhone
RTM Darwin
Manunda Place
38 Cavenagh Street 
Darwin NT 0800
RTM
GPO Box 199 
Darwin NT 0801
RTMDarwin@nt.gov.au08 8999 1606
RTM Alice Springs
1st Floor, Alice Springs Plaza
Todd Street Mall
Alice Springs NT 0870 
RTM
PO Box 4037
Alice Springs NT 0871
RTMAlice@nt.gov.au08 8951 6491
RTM Katherine
1st Floor, Government Centre
First St
Katherine NT 0850
RTM
PO Box 1171
Katherine NT 0851
RTMKatherine@nt.gov.au 08 8951 6418

Register as an agent's representative

An agent's representative is an employee of a licensed real estate or business agent who negotiates transactions on behalf of the agent.

Agent's representatives must be registered and appropriately trained.

Find out more about training requirements.

The laws that affect agent representatives include the Agents Licencing Act 1979 and the Agents Licencing Regulations 1979.

You must get a police history check.

You will need to pay a fee to register as an agent's representative.

You can register as an agent's representative:

  • online
  • by mail, email, fax, or in person.

Online

To apply and pay for your registration online, go to Licensing NT Online.

By mail, email, fax, or in person

To apply by mail, email, fax, or in person, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in one of these forms:

If you are registered as an agent representative in another Australian state or territory, use the agent's representative under mutual recognition form.

Agent representative under mutual recognition form PDF (626.2 KB)
Agent representative under mutual recognition form DOCX (68.8 KB)

For all other registrations use the agent's representative registration form.

Agent representative registration form PDF (664.4 KB)
Agent representative registration form DOCX (72.5 KB)

You can also get these forms at a Territory Business Centre.

Step 2. Submit your form and pay the fee at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

You must renew your registration on or before 1 May each year. You can renew:

  • online
  • by mail, email, fax, or in person.

Online

To apply and pay for your renewal online, go to Licensing NT Online.

By mail, email, fax, or in person

To renew your registration by mail, email, fax, or in person, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the registration renewal form.

Registration renewal form PDF (645.9 KB)
Registration renewal form DOCX (69.3 KB)

You can also get this form at a Territory Business Centre.

Step 2. Submit the application and fee to your nearest Territory Business Centre by 1 May.

All fees are free from GST.

Item​Fee
Apply to register or renew as an agent representative$206
Apply to register or renew as a restricted agent representative$182
Apply to register or renew as an agent representative under mutual recognition$206
Apply or register or renew as a restricted agent representative under mutual recognition$182

Surveyors

If you want to work as a surveyor in the Northern Territory (NT) you must be licensed.

If you already hold a surveyor’s licence in another state or territory, you can apply for NT registration under mutual recognition.

An annual registration fee is payable by 1 December each year.

How to apply 

Go to the Surveyors Board website to apply.


Tobacco licences

If you want to sell tobacco including e-cigarettes in the Northern Territory (NT), you must have a licence.

It is an offence to sell these products without one under the Tobacco Control Act 2002.

Tobacco packaging, advertising and display is also regulated and the sale and supply to children is prohibited.

You must pay the below fees (exclusive of GST) to get:

  • apply for or renew a tobacco licence
  • get a police history name check.
Item​​Fee
Apply or renew a tobacco licence for 1 year ​$270
Apply or renew a tobacco licence for 3 years $810
Apply or renew tobacco licence for 5 years $1,350
Certificate of compliance for outside smoking area$67
​Police history name check $81

You can apply for a 1-year, 3-year or 5-year licence. It will expire on the anniversary of the date it was issued.

To apply, go to Licensing NT Online or follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application for a tobacco licence.

Application for a tobacco licence PDF (184.0 KB)
Application for a tobacco licence DOCX (75.6 KB)

Step 2. Get a police history check.

Step 3. Check the fee.

Step 4. Submit your application and fee at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

You must renew your licence before it expires. You can do it for 1, 3 or 5 years.

To renew, go to Licensing NT Online or follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application to renew a tobacco licence.

Application to renew a tobacco licence PDF (185.7 KB)
Application to renew a tobacco licence DOCX (78.2 KB)

Step 2. Get any new managers to complete a police history check.

Step 3. Check the fee.

Step 4. Submit your application and fee at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

You can transfer your tobacco licence to:

  • an individual
  • a company
  • a partnership
  • an association.

To transfer, go to Licensing NT Online or follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application to transfer a tobacco licence.

Application to transfer a tobacco licence PDF (186.3 KB)
Application to transfer a tobacco licence DOCX (78.3 KB)

Step 2. Get a police history check.

Step 3. Submit your application and fee at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

If your manager of your tobacco licence changes, you can apply to change it.

You can apply to change it through Licensing NT Online or follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application for change of manager for a tobacco licence.

Application for change of manager for a tobacco licence DOCX (68.7 KB)
Application for change of manager for a tobacco licence PDF (155.0 KB)

Step 2. Get your proposed manager to complete a police history check.

Step 3. Submit your application at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

Rules for tobacco retailers

If you’re a tobacco retailer, you must follow these rules:

  • tobacco products must not be sold by employees under the age of 18
  • all tobacco products (excluding e-cigarettes and their accessories) must be sold in plain packaging
  • tobacco products cannot be advertised or displayed at point of sale.

For more information, go to the Department of Health website.

Smoking signage

Where you sell tobacco, you must display:

Where to get smoking signs

You will receive free signs after you apply or renew your tobacco licence.

You can also contact the tobacco compliance and liaison officer to request free signs by:

Contact

For any licensing enquiries, call Occupational Licensing on 08 8999 1800.


Travel agents

Travel agents do not need to be licensed to work in the Northern Territory (NT).


Incorporated associations

How to start, run or close an association including rules and responsibilities.


Automatic mutual recognition for occupational licences

If you're licensed or registered, you may be able to work across states and territories without needing to:

  • apply or
  • pay a fee for a second licence.

The automatic mutual recognition (AMR) scheme allows you to use your current licence or registration to do the same activities in another part of Australia.

Check the list of current interstate occupational licence holders and licence categories.

What you need to do

To practise across participating states and territories, you must be registered in your home state or territory to undertake the activities you intend to carry out in a second state or territory.

Depending on your occupation, you may need to meet additional requirements. For example:

  • notify the relevant authority of your intent to practice
  • meet and maintain financial public protection requirements (such as, insurance, fidelity funds, trust accounts, minimum financial requirements), and
  • satisfy and maintain a working with vulnerable people character test.

To check requirements for your occupation, go to the business and industry section and search.

You must comply with the laws of the state or territory where you're working.

If you don't comply with state or territory laws or licence conditions, your entitlement to working interstate can be suspended or cancelled. Your home state or territory licence or registration can also be suspended or cancelled.

Check if you're eligible

You can't take part in this scheme if:

  • you're subject to criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any state or territory and have been informed, or aware of it
  • your registration in any state or territory is cancelled or currently suspended as a result of disciplinary action
  • you're prohibited from an occupation, or subject to any conditions because of civil, criminal or other disciplinary proceedings in any state or territory
  • you have been refused registration for a relevant occupation in any state or territory.

You also can't take part if you fail to:

  • meet any public protection requirement or satisfy a vulnerable person character test required by the law of a state or territory you're planning to work in, or if you fail to provide evidence of this
  • meet a requirement to notify a local regulatory agency before working
  • notify the agency if your home state or territory changes
  • provide information requested by a local regulatory agency
    • including information to confirm your home state or territory, or information required by a law of a state or territory in which you're visiting.

Moving permanently to the NT

Your home state is where your primary place of residence or work is located.

If you change your home state or territory to the NT, you will need to apply through the existing licence or registration application requirements in the NT.

Fees may be applicable.

Until your application for a substantive licence or registration is approved, you can still work in the NT under AMR.

Notify the relevant authority

You must notify the relevant authority depending on the type of licence you hold. You must do this before you can work under the AMR scheme in the NT.

Notify Occupational Licensing if you're registered for any of the following occupations:

  • building practitioner
  • surveyors
  • architects
  • security officer and/or crowd controller
  • gaming machine repairer and/or manager
  • commercial and/or private agent
  • plumbing
  • electrical
  • property agents.

How to notify

Fill in the form.

Automatic mutual recognition notification - Occupational Licensing PDF (196.9 KB)
Automatic mutual recognition notification - Occupational Licensing DOCX (80.4 KB)

Notify Licensing NT if you're registered for any of the following occupations:

  • casino operative
  • bookmaker key employee

How to notify

Fill in the form.

Automatic mutual recognition notification - Licencing NT PDF (182.6 KB)
Automatic mutual recognition notification - Licensing NT DOCX (74.6 KB)

Notify NT WorkSafe if you're registered for any of the following occupations:

  • gasfitter
  • shotfirer.

How to notify

Get the forms on the NT WorkSafe website.

Contact the relevant authority on how to meet notification requirements for the following occupations:

After you notify

If your application is successful, you will get a letter of acknowledgment.

You can then work under your current home state or NT registration.

Working in other states and territories

Skilled workers from the NT can practise interstate for certain occupations.

To find out if your NT licence or registration can be used in other states or territories, check that state or territory's website.


Apply for a white card

You must have a white card to work as a construction worker in the Northern Territory (NT).

A white card is also known as a general construction induction training card.

New applicants who apply online can choose to receive a digital white card.

Who can apply

Only apply for a white card if you have completed general construction induction training. This must be done face-to-face with an approved registered training organisation (RTO).

Online training courses aren't recognised.

Find a training provider on the NT WorkSafe website.

How long it takes

Online applications are processed within 10 business days.

What you need

To apply online, you need a credit or debit card for payment and one of the following types of Australian identification (ID):

  • drivers licence
  • passport
  • birth certificate
  • visa.

We will use your ID to verify your identity. If you don’t have one of the above types of ID, you can’t apply online. Read below for other ways to apply.

Name change requests also need either a marriage or change of name certificate.

Training evidence for new applicants

New applicants need evidence they have completed face-to-face training in prepare to work safely in the construction industry – CPCWHS1001.

Training evidence includes a statement of attainment or a written declaration from the training provider. You have 60 days to apply from the date your training certificate was issued.

You don’t need to attach training evidence if you are replacing your existing NT white card.

Fees

New or replacement white card costs $28.

Name change requests are free.

How to apply or renew

You can apply online, in person or by email.

Online

Go to Territory Services

In person or by email

To apply in person or by email, fill in and submit an application to a Territory Business Centre using the form on the NT WorkSafe website.

Get help

Contact a Territory Business Centre for support.


Contact Occupational Licensing

TownContact detailsLocation addressPostal address
Darwin
Occupational
Licensing

Phone:1800 193 111
DITT.occupationallicensing@nt.gov.au

Ground Floor
Darwin Corporate Park
631 Stuart Highway
Berrimah NT 0828
GPO Box 9800
Darwin NT 0801
Darwin
Associations

Phone: 1800 193 111
Associations.Compliance@nt.gov.au

Ground Floor
Development House
76 The Esplanade
Darwin NT 0800
GPO Box 9800
Darwin NT 0801

Register a hairdressing, beauty therapy or body art business

    Every hairdressing, beauty therapy and body art business operating in the Northern Territory (NT) are required to be registered.

    You can apply online to start a new registration, or to renew or cancel your existing registration.

    Who must register

    You must register if your business receives a payment or reward in return for services, including:

    • hairdressing - cutting, colouring, treating and shaving
    • beauty therapy - face or body treatment, manicure or pedicure, artificial nails, semi-permanent make-up and cosmetic tattooing
    • body art - tattooing, ear piercing, body piercing and body modification.

    If your business only provides the following services, you do not need to register:

    • application of non-permanent make-up
    • spray tanning
    • procedures performed by a health practitioner registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2010 - read more on the NT Legislation website.

    When to register

    You must register if you have started a new or recently acquired a hairdressing, beauty or body art business.

    Registration for beauty and body art businesses are valid for one year, you must then:

    • renew at least 30 days before the expiry
    • start a new application if registration has lapsed.

    For hairdressing businesses, renewals are not required but if your business moves location you will need to start a new application.

    All businesses must cancel their registration within 14 days of selling or closing.

    What you need

    To start a new registration application, you will need:

    • to verify your identity as part of the online registration or in person with an environmental health officer - get their contact details on the NT Health website
    • business details including ACN or ABN
    • contact information for the business proprietors
    • floor or building plans that show:
      • treatment or procedure rooms
      • work areas in each treatment or procedure room
      • hand wash basins.

    If you are renewing your registration, you will only need to include floor or building plans if substantial changes have been made to the business.

    Fees

    It is $87 to register or renew a business that undertakes hairdressing only.

    It is $135 to register or renew a:

    • beauty therapy business
    • hairdressing and beauty therapy
    • body art business
    • hairdressing and body art business
    • beauty therapy and body art business
    • hairdressing, beauty therapy and body art business.

    If applying online, there is an option to pay after completing the form using a credit or debit card.

    You can also make payment over the phone to, in person at or by mail using a cheque or money order to the Receiver of Territory Monies. You must provide the premises trading name to make sure details on your payment match your application.

    Regulations

    There are health guidelines and regulations for operators of hairdressing, beauty therapy and body art businesses.

    The guidelines aim to minimise the risk of infectious disease transmissions, injury and other health-related complaints.

    For more information read the:

    Contact

    For more information, contact Environmental Health. Get their contact details on the NT Health website.