Access Canberra inspectors make up a key part of the way in which the ACT Government regulates the construction industry. Inspectors have powers under the following legislation:

An inspector may:

  • enter, at any reasonable time, premises the public are entitled to enter or use without payment of a fee or charge
  • enter a place, at any time without an authorised tradesperson, with the occupier's consent
  • enter a place, during business hours with an authorised person, with the occupier's consent (in some circumstances formal written consent is required to enable an inspector to enter a building or parcel of land)
  • enter a place in accordance with a rectification work order (court order)
  • enter a place in accordance with a monitoring warrant (court order)
  • enter a place in accordance with a search warrant
  • enter land around premises to obtain consent to enter the premises whether or not someone is on the premises when the inspector announces their presence.

While undertaking their duties an inspector must:

  • produce their identity card
  • inform the occupier of the purpose of the inspector's entry, the occupier's right to refuse entry and the right to withdraw consent to enter at any time.