CAL Accreditation: What NT Contractors Need to Know
If you want to tender for Northern Territory Government work valued over $50,000, you need CAL accreditation. It's not optional — it's the gate you have to pass through before you can even submit a bid.
Contractor Accreditation Limited (CAL) is a not-for-profit organisation established by the NT Chamber of Commerce, Territory Construction Association, and the Small Business Association of the Northern Territory. Since 1995, CAL has pre-qualified contractors for NT Government work across construction, trades, and services.
What CAL Assesses
CAL evaluates three areas of your business:
Financial capacity:
Your ability to fund projects at the rating level you're seeking. An independent financial consultant reviews your accounts confidentially — the assessment panel does not see your financials, only the recommended rating.
Technical capacity:
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Evidence that you can actually do the work. CAL reviews three recent projects and contacts referees to verify scope, quality, and completion.
Managerial capacity:
Your systems for workplace health and safety, quality management, and required licences. You don't need ISO certification, but you do need documented WHS and quality controls appropriate to your trade.
Rating Levels
CAL issues ratings based on the maximum contract value you're approved to tender for. Ratings range from $50,000 up to $50 million+.
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Your rating is driven primarily by financial capacity. If your balance sheet supports $500K projects, that's your ceiling — even if you've delivered larger jobs in practice.
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You only need one rating per trade category. A $500K rating allows you to tender for any work up to that value within your accredited category.
The Application Process
The process typically takes 4–6 weeks from submission to accreditation, depending on assessment workload and how quickly documents and referees are provided.
Step 1: Complete the application form (business details, licences, insurances, three reference projects).
Step 2: Submit financials to CAL's independent consultant for confidential assessment.
Step 3: CAL contacts your referees to verify technical capability.
Step 4: An industry assessment panel reviews the application and issues your rating.
What Slows Applications Down
Most delays are avoidable. They usually come from missing documents or unresponsive referees.
Before applying, make sure you have:
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Current public liability and workers compensation certificates
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Accountant-prepared financial statements
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Documented WHS policies and procedures
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Quality management documentation
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Three referees who will respond promptly when contacted
Who Needs CAL Accreditation
You need CAL if you are:
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A contractor or subcontractor tendering for NT Government work over $50,000
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Currently subcontracting under head contractors and want to tender directly
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An interstate contractor expanding into the NT market
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Previously accredited and needing reinstatement or reactivation
Professional advisory services (architects, engineers, accountants, consultants) are not covered by CAL.
CAL Accreditation Help for NT Government Contractors
Who it’s for
This service is ideal if you're looking for help getting CAL accreditation and you're:
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doing subcontract work under head contractors and want to tender directly
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capable of $50K+ jobs but locked out by compliance requirements
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an interstate contractor expanding into the NT market
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previously CAL-accredited and need to reinstate / re-activate
Get CAL accredited
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Gap Analysis – we assess where you sit and what’s missing
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Documentation – we build what CAL expects to see (as needed)
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Application Support – we coordinate or complete the submission (optional)
Packages
Gap Analysis
Find out exactly where you stand before you start.
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CAL readiness assessment against your target rating
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Gap list with clear action items
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Document checklist
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Upgrade options if you want help with the next steps
Documentation Only
We create the hard stuff. You complete the application.
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Site Safety Management Plan (SSMP) – reusable for every job
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Quality Management System documentation
Documentation + Application
We handle the paperwork. You deal with CAL.
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SSMP and Quality Management documentation
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Completed CAL application form
Full Service
We do it all. You focus on running jobs.
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Complete CAL application and documentation
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Accountant and CAL liaison throughout
Packages from $225. CAL fees payable separately.
FAQ
Do I need two CAL ratings for different contract values?
No. CAL accreditation is issued at a single upper contract value, which then permits tendering for all lower-value work within the same subgroup.
Can you guarantee my CAL rating?
No. CAL ratings are assessed independently based on financial capacity. YCM will ensure your submission is complete and assessment-ready.
Do I need ISO certification?
CAL may ask whether you have accredited systems, but ISO certification isn’t mandatory. You do need documented safety and quality controls appropriate to your work.
How long does CAL take?
Timeframes vary, but you should allow several weeks from submission depending on assessment workload and how quickly documents/referees are provided.
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Where can I get help with CAL accreditation?
YCM provides end-to-end CAL accreditation support for NT contractors, from gap analysis through to submission. We're based in Australia and work with contractors remotely across the country.
Final Word
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Most contractors don't miss out on NT Government work because they can't do the job. They miss out because they can't prove it on paper.
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CAL accreditation is the gate: once you're through it, you're competing on merit, not paperwork.
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Get it right once. Then focus on winning work.