Award-winning M&J Builders specialises in high-end commercial and Defence work , plus
insurance contracts.

Owners Michael and Jessica Buckley, who were struggling in their home state of Victoria when they decided to put the kids and few belongings in a car and drive thousands of kilometres around Australia before settling in Darwin, are giving back to the industry in many ways.

They have invested heavily in safety systems and supporting their subcontractors gain full safety training.

“Australia has some of the toughest building safety regulations in the world and it’s crucial that everyone on-site understands them,” says Michael.

“But for small, family-owned subbies, keeping up with compliance can be overwhelming. They’ve spent all day on the tools and the last thing they need is more paperwork at night.

“That’s why we take a hands-on approach. We don’t just enforce safety — we help our subbies understand why it matters.

“We run dedicated accredited training, break down the laws and obligations, and support them in developing their own safety processes.

“When our subbies are set up for success, the whole industry benefits.”

M&J Builders now has 65 staff and deals with 160 subcontractors, all of them based in the Territory and most family owned.

“We’re a close-knit community and we want to see money stay in the Territory,” says Michael. “And we’ve got a great team of staff ourselves.”

M&J Builders has never used an interstate subbie – it’s committed to using local subcontractors, supporting the NT economy and local trades wherever possible.

The company has made great advances in the Defence sector over the past few years and has worked on every Defence base in the Territory – Larrakeyah naval base, RAAF Darwin, Defence Establishment Berrimah, Robertson Barracks, RAAF Tindal in Katherine, Shoal Bay, Kangaroo Flats, Mt Bundy, Bradshaw and Delamere military training grounds, and the Pine Gap communications base near Alice Springs.

The Defence projects range from $500,000 to $24 million.

“This has helped us grow and diversify while still maintaining strength across our insurance and other divisions,” says Michael, who supports the industry by serving on the boards of several industry bodies, where he advocates for the construction sector in the Territory.

Michael’s leadership and the continued growth of M&J Builders have been acknowledged in the NT News 120 Most Powerful list this year.

The recognition reflects the impact the company is making in the industry and the Territory, driven by a commitment to quality, innovation and supporting local businesses.

CONTACT

M&J Builders
PO Box 1737, Berrimah NT 0828
98 Coonawarra Road, Winnellie NT 0820
(08) 8998 9669
info@mjbuilders.com.au mjbuilders.com.au