Keeping ACT construction safe and accountable – Construction Occupations Registrar update Summer 2025

See the Registrar’s Update here: Construction Newsletter November 2025

The ACT construction industry continues to maintain high standards, with the vast majority of licensed professionals delivering quality work. The Construction Occupations Registrar, Nick Lhuede, reminds us that regulatory oversight remains essential to protect the community and maintain confidence in building outcomes.

For 2025, the Registrar has emphasised three key priorities: holding licensees accountable, taking appropriate regulatory action, and proactively preventing defects. Rather than solely responding to complaints, the Registrar’s team now audits medium-high rise and low-rise developments during construction to identify issues before they arise.

Regulatory interventions can include licence conditions, mandatory training, suspensions, or disqualifications in serious cases. Importantly, while 75 license actions have been taken this year, this represents only 0.5% of the approximately 4,700 licensed builders in the ACT. MBA ACT is proud of this outcome and grateful to our members for maintaining high standards, upholding professionalism, and contributing to a safe and trusted building industry.

Other updates to note:

• Construction Guidance: Access Canberra has released guidance on Certificates of Occupancy and Use, trainee certifier recognition, liveable housing documentation, and the Professional Engineers Registration Scheme. Members are encouraged to review these updates via the link above.
• Christmas Processing Deadlines: Certificates of Occupancy and Use applications under Section 69(2) should be lodged by 19 December 2025 to ensure processing before year-end.
• Residential Property Developer Regulation: From 1 October 2026, a Property Developer Licence will be required for residential projects of three or more dwellings. A 12-month transition period allows early applications.
• Site Safety and Parking: Unsafe or illegal parking around construction sites is a growing concern, the Registrar claims. Builders and site operators are reminded to comply with road rules to protect workers, residents, and the public.

We encourage all members to stay informed, follow best practice, and continue contributing to a safe, accountable, and professional construction industry. For more information, questions or comments, please contact us on 0261755900 or workplace@mba.org.au.