About Contractor Accreditation Limited
Fostering an environment of confidence in the building and construction industry in the Northern Territory.
Since 1995, Contractor Accreditation Limited (CAL) has been accrediting contractors in the building and construction industries in the Northern Territory. Through our thorough assessment process, we provide confidence and assurance to industry that the contractors and sub-contractors they choose are up to the job.
We are a 100% Territory-owned and operated and not-for-profit company focussed primarily on ensuring a strong, highly-skilled and reputable building and construction industry.
Our key functions are to:
- Provide a system of accreditation of contractors to perform works and services in the civil, construction and building services industries, based on assessment by experts in those industries.
- Co-ordinate and encourage co-operation and collaboration between the civil, construction and building services industries across the Northern Territory.
- Represent the interests of the building and construction industries on behalf of our stakeholders.
Our Board of Directors and members of the assessment panel have a combined total of more than 1100 years’ experience in the industry and in the Northern Territory. They are invested in the industry because they are the industry.
Position
DIRECTOR
JOHN BREARS
30+ years in the Territory
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, John Brears has spent more than 50 years working in the construction industry in Australia and overseas including the UK, Dubai, Jordan, Gambia and Indonesia.
Since coming to the Northern Territory, John has managed construction projects gaining considerable knowledge in local costs, conditions, regulations, resources, adjudication and mediation. John is currently engaged by body corporates and owners to consult on buildings with complex issues.
In addition to his role with CAL, John is the Chairman of the Building Appeals Board, member of the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Mediator for NT Worksafe, Adjudicator for Payment Disputes and Trustee of the Master Builders Fidelity Fund.
Position
Director
KEITH AITKEN
40+ years in the Territory
After working in construction in Victoria and Papua New Guinea, Keith Aitken founded Advance Civil Engineering in Darwin in 1980. The company has delivered services across the Northern Territory including into isolated communities in support of civil engineering, mining and infrastructure projects.
Keith is a member of the Development Consent Authority for Litchfield, a companion in Engineers Australia, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a past member of Master Builders Northern Territory, Civil Contractors Federation NT, Civil Contractors Federation of Australia, and the Major Industries Training Council.
Keith was also the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Poland and a life member of Alliance Francaise de Darwin.
Position
TOM HARRIS
Born and bred in the Territory
Tom Harris has spent his career working to strengthen the Territory economy, industry and community through roles in the hospitality industry, financial markets, and water and mineral drilling sectors.
Tom is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Contractors Federation of the Northern Territory and is the director of a family company running a vegetable and fruit producing farm in the rural area.
Tom is a Past President and life member of the NT Farmers Association and is a member of the Northern Territory Government appointed Drillers Qualification Advisory Committee. IN addition, Tom has been an industry advocate for the extractive industry and civil construction sectors.
Tom has extensive ties to the Northern Territory dating back to his grandmother who was born here in 1908.
Position
FRANCIS THOMAS
12 Plus years in the Territory
Francis Thomas commenced his professional career with Earnst & Young in his homeland of Zimbabwe in 1983, before moving with that firm to South Africa in 1990.
in 1992 he was appointed as Ernst & Young’s managing partner for Botswana, a positon he held for 15 years. Thomas arrived in Darwin in 2007 as Deloitte’s regional managing partner for the NT, holding this position for six years before being appointed the inaugural country managing partner for Timor-Leste in 2013.
After retiring in 2018,he has consulted across his wide range of expertise, including assurance (external and internal audit), consulting, taxation, company secretarial services, accounting, liquidations, information technology, human resources, mergers and acquisitions.
Position
ALISTER LINDSAY
6+ years’ in the Northern Territory
Alister Lindsay arrived in the Territory having established and managed as successful legal practice in Cairns between 1975 – 2000.
Over the next 14 years, he became involved in livestock breeding and tourism in Queensland and the Philippines, and taught English in Vietnam.
Lindsay returned to legal practice in Darwin in 2014 and was appointed member of NTCAT in 2018.
Apart from his general legal activities, he has extensive experience in alternative dispute strategies and procedures.
Position
LOUISE BILATO
Position
JOHN MOUSELLIS
Position
Deputy Registrar
PAULA MILLER-TILBROOK
Time in Territory – 39 years
Paula joined CAL in 1998 as the Deputy Registrar following a career in the retail and service industries. Paula is responsible for managing the CAL team, ensuring our policies and procedures are up to scratch and co-chairing the Technical Assessment Sub Panel meetings.
SUSAN CARNELL
Secretary to the Assessment Panel
20 years in the Territory
Joined CAL in 2011 following a career in the retail sector
HELEN TALIAS
Senior Client Services Officer
20+ years in the Territory
Joined CAL in 2013.
SOPHIE HEWITT
Client Services Officer
10+ years in the Territory
Joined CAL in 2016 following completion of secondary education and employment in the hospitality industry.
DANISHA BLEWIT
Client Services Officer
Born and bred in the Territory
Joined CAL in 2018 following employment in the services and construction industries.