Several Darwin apartment buildings could be non-compliant because of a lack of government oversight, a key fire protection authority says.

Scott Williams from the Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPAA) said the use of non-compliant and unsafe materials was relatively common throughout the industry because of a culture of innovation.

"You can't just take [developers] on their word when they say, 'Hey it's safe to live in'. There needs to be more checks and balances in place," he said.

He said there needed to be a duty of care to residents and a more robust regulatory framework.

"My feeling is [that] after the failing at Grenfell, unless there is surveillance and auditing and consequences, they [property developers] will just keep doing the wrong thing," Mr Williams said.

"It seems in the building industry, there have been decades of regulatory neglect and it's up to the states and territories [to regulate] but they've failed us."

Combustible cladding could be 'tip of iceberg': AFPA

Australian Fire Protection Agency spokesman Scott Williams. ( Supplied: Scott Williams )

About half of Darwin's population rent. That, combined with an ever-growing number of apartment blocks means there may be increased fire risks for residents.

Last year, a federal Senate committee recommended Australia ban the importation, sale and use of the type of the cladding that led to the Grenfell tragedy, but Coalition members disagreed.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asked states and territories to audit their buildings for combustible cladding.

The Labor Opposition promised tougher penalties for builders who breach the National Construction Code, saying it was illegal to use the material on high-rise buildings but that the current building regulations were riddled with loopholes and the rule was constantly breached.

Mr Williams said that combustible cladding "could be just the tip of the iceberg", and it was likely that more dangerous materials were being used as developers opted for cheaper materials to save on building costs.

NT Fire Service has made enquiries about the safety of other buildings, but Mr Williams said fire services in small cities such as Darwin were under-resourced and often did not have the time or manpower to extensively audit buildings.

NT Government looking into ways to reduce risks

FPA said residents had a right to know what the risks were.

"If you bought a car, wouldn't you like to know the risks involved, whether the brakes worked?" Mr Williams said.

"Doesn't everybody have a right to know if there is a risk?

"But it is a very complex matter and the buildings won't disclose a lot of the potential risks because of insurance, because the moment you say this it's like saying your car is not roadworthy and trying to get it insured."

The Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure and Planning declined to comment on specific buildings.

"The NT continues to liaise with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions on its response to the combustible cladding issue, and on strategies to reduce the potential risks from non-conforming building products and materials," it said in a statement.