Jobs Rescue and Recovery Plan

Home Improvement Scheme 2020

A new $30 million home improvement scheme will help protect the Territory from the deep economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep shops and businesses open, cash flowing and Territorians working.

It’s part of the Territory Government’s Rescue and Recovery plan in response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The scheme will help fast-track around 5,000 screwdriver-ready projects in Territory homes.

This means that projects are physical improvements to land and / or buildings, and repairs and maintenance services.

The scheme operates on a voucher system, with home owners receiving either:

• a voucher worth $4,000 if they contribute at least $1,000 of their own money, or
• a voucher worth $6,000 if they contribute at least $2,000 of their own money.

Health and safety

You must practise physical distancing during the planning and delivery of your renovation works.

If either you or the service provider are unwell, in self-isolation or self-quarantine, stay in touch by phone until it is safe to meet in person.

Your voucher and registration can be cancelled at any time if you fail to follow the safety guidelines. You may also be referred to police.

For more information on staying safe, go to the coronavirus (COVID-19) website.

Who can apply

You are eligible to apply if you are a registered owner of a residential property in the Northern Territory (NT).

The property can be owner-occupied or used as investment, but there can only be one application per property and per home owner.

If you are eligible, you can submit two quotes, by up to two businesses, as part of your one application for the home improvement scheme.

The total value of the vouchers issued will be for no more than the maximum grant amount.

If you are the owner of multiple properties, you can carry out improvement works to one home only.

If a property has more than one owner, only one person can apply under the scheme.

Who can't apply

Incorporated legal entities are not eligible to apply such as:

• companies
• trust structures with a corporate trustee
• associations that are the sole registered proprietor of a property.

How to apply

Applications will open from 9am on Monday 6 April 2020 and close on Friday 17 April 2020 at 5pm  

You must read, understand and agree to the scheme’s terms and conditions before you apply.

When you are ready to apply, follow these steps:

Step 1. Decide what type of improvements you want done on your property.

Step 2. Check the list of registered tradies and businesses taking part in the scheme.

Step 3. Contact one or more tradespeople from the list for a quote.

Step 4. After selecting a preferred quote, apply online to receive a unique voucher.

Step 5. Once the work is completed, you must pay the tradesperson for the work using the voucher as part payment. You must give your voucher to the tradesperson so that they can be paid by the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation.

IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

You may begin anywhere in this application form. Please ensure you save as you go.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact us on 1800 193 111 during business hours or email homeimprovement@nt.gov.au and quote your submission number.

Click here to view the program terms and conditions.

If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

NAVIGATING (MOVING THROUGH) THE APPLICATION FORM

On every screen (page of the form) you will find a Form Navigation contents box, this links directly to every page of the application. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want.

You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.

SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION

If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save and close' and log out. When you log back in and click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.

You can also download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download PDF' button located at the bottom of the last page of the application form.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.

Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top or bottom of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed and there are no validation errors.

Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.

When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.

If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.

Hint: also check the email hasn’t landed in your spam or junk email folder.

ATTACHMENTS AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

You may need to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, or on a storage device.

You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM

A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.

SPELL CHECK

Most internet browsers (including Firefox v2.0 and above; Safari; and Google Chrome) have spell checking facilities built in – you can switch this function on or off by adjusting your browser settings.