Pre-construction termite barriers across Greater Darwin.
New build or major renovation? The NT Building Regulations adopt the National Construction Code which makes AS 3660.1 termite-management compliance mandatory on every Class 1 (dwelling) and Class 10 (outbuilding). Without the Form 16 Termite Management Certificate, the certifier won’t issue Form 21 occupation. We do the chemical reticulation, physical-barrier install, or hybrid baiting at pre-pour stage, and issue the Form 16 paperwork at handover. $2,200–$4,200 typical Class 1 build.
Three AS 3660.1 barrier types — which we use when.
1. Chemical reticulation + perimeter (most common).
Flexible polyethylene reticulation tube installed under the slab and around the perimeter at pre-pour stage. Emitters along the tube deliver Termidor SC or Premise 200SC into the soil around the slab. The tube stays in place permanently and can be re-injected at 8–10 year intervals to refresh the barrier. Best long-term economy — renewal is hand-pump injection at the tube end-cap rather than re-digging the perimeter. ~$2,200–$3,600 for a standard Class 1.
2. Physical barrier (Kordon, HomeGuard, Termimesh).
Termite-impervious sheet material at slab penetrations (pipes, electrical, perimeter joints). Doesn’t expire — lifespan equals the building. Failures come from builder install errors: missed gaps at conduit penetrations, mortar bridging at brick ground-courses, displacement during slab pour. We install the physical barrier OURSELVES (not the builder) and document with photos for the Form 16. ~$2,800–$4,500 for a standard Class 1. Common choice in newer Palmerston estates (Zuccoli, Mitchell).
3. Hybrid: chemical perimeter + baiting (rural acreage).
On Litchfield Council blocks where Mastotermes pressure is high, chemical perimeter alone is not enough. We install a chemical-soil band around the slab AT pre-pour stage, plus a baiting system (Sentricon Always Active stations at 10–15m intervals) around the perimeter and along bushland fence lines. The chemical band buys construction-phase protection; the baiting system eliminates source colonies long-term. ~$5,500–$9,500 for a standard rural Class 1 with house + shed.
The Form 16 + builder paperwork chain.
AS 3660.1 compliance is enforced through documentation. The chain:
- Pre-pour inspection — we attend site before slab pour to confirm reticulation / physical barrier install.
- Post-pour inspection — verify nothing was damaged during slab pour, confirm soil treatment perimeter applied.
- Form 16 Termite Management Certificate — issued by us, lists the barrier type, chemicals used, lifespan, expected next-inspection date.
- Builder lodges Form 16 + other Form 16s with the certifier as part of the Form 21 occupation certificate package.
- Certifier issues Form 21 — occupation legal.
Missing the Form 16 stops the entire handover. We’ve been called in late on multiple builds where the original pest contractor went out of business mid-build and the Form 16 was missing. Retrofitting a Form 16 requires destructive testing at perimeter sample points — expensive and slow. Engaging us at pre-pour is much cheaper.
Renovations + extensions.
Renovations that disturb the slab perimeter, slab penetrations, or the existing chemical-band layout require reinstatement of the AS 3660 barrier under AS 3660.2. New bathroom slab cuts, kitchen plumbing reroutes, deck additions, ground-floor extensions — all require a fresh Form 16 paperwork trail covering the disturbed zone. We can reinstate as a focused job (~$1,500–$3,500) or full perimeter renewal if the existing barrier is also expired.
Where we work.
Free pre-construction barrier quote.
New build, major renovation or post-renovation reinstatement. Form 16 included. Free site quote.