Business permits and registrations
Starting a business often requires permits and registrations such as planning permits or food and health registrations. We’re here to help you navigate the permit application process and start trading as soon as possible.
Contact us
We can guide and assist you through the permit application process, helping you to:
- Determine which permits you require
- Apply for permits
- Liaise with different departments within Council
- Understand any grants that may be available
- Connect with industry groups
We strongly recommend you contact us before starting any permit applications. If you haven’t spoken with us yet, please get in touch.
Start a Business Permit Application
Applying for your business permits
Our online Business Permit Application is designed to streamline how you obtain the permits you need to operate your business. It is intended to be a 'one stop shop' for all small business owners, so you can get all your paper work out of the way and get down to business.
- You can save and go back to continue your application at any time. A link to your saved application will be sent via email.
- No payment is required during this online application process. We will invoice you for any required payment(s). After payment is received your application will be assessed.
- Your application will be sent to the relevant Council departments for assessment and we may contact you if we require any further information
Which permits do you need?
Whether you’re starting a new business, purchasing an existing one or want to expand your operations you may need one or more permits to operate. The guidelines below will help you decide which permits you require.
Building on Council land (including footpaths)
If you answer yes to the following question you'll likely need Land Managers Consent:
- Will you be completing works on Council or Council managed land?
More information
Land Manager's Consent
Starting a new business or changing an existing business
If you answer yes to any of the following questions you'll likely need a Planning Permit:
- Are you starting a new business?
- Are you changing the business type from its current form?
- Are you changing the trading hours of the business?
- Are you applying for or altering a liquor licence?
- Are you adding or changing signage?
- Are you looking to alter or paint a heritage listed building?
- Will your patrons park on the street?
- Are you seeking a change to parking?
- Are you providing accommodation?
- Do you plan on hosting events on private property?
- Are you planning to commence an animal boarding or breeding business?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions you'll likely need a Building Permit:
- Starting a new business or changing an existing business
- Starting or changing a food business
- Starting or changing an accommodation business
- Starting or changing a Hair and beauty business
To make the application process easier, please contact us before you start. For the application, you will need:
- An outline of the type of business you are looking to open
- Title information for the land
- Plan of existing conditions
- Plans showing layouts
- Effect of proposal
More information
Planning Permits
Building Permits
Building or renovating a venue
If you answer yes to any of the following questions you'll likely need a Building Permit:
- Are you planning on carrying out any internal fit outs or alterations on your premises?
- Are you planning to carry out any structural alteration to the exterior of the building (including increasing window and door sizes)?
- Do you want to increase the number of people that can occupy your building at any one time?
- Are you changing the use of the premises (i.e. converting an office to a restaurant/bar)?
- Are you altering any essential safety measures? (i.e. fire hydrants, fire hose reels, exit signs, emergency lighting or paths of travel to an exit)?
More information
Building Permits
Starting or changing a food business
If you answer yes to the following question you'll likely need a Food Permit:
- Do you intend to sell food or drink on the premises of your business?
To make the application process easier, before applying, please ensure that you have:
- Food Safety Supervisor's Certificate
- Full Kitchen Floor Plans
More information
Food Premises & Food Safety
Starting or changing an accommodation business
If you answer yes to the following question you'll likely need an Accommodation Permit:
- Are you opening an accommodation business such as a hotel, motel, hostel, student dorms, holiday camps, rooming house or residential accommodation?
More information
Accommodation Businesses
Septic tanks for businesses
If you answer yes to any of the following questions you'll likely need a Septic Tank Permit:
- Are you planning to install a new septic system?
- Are you planning to alter an existing septic system?
- Would you like additional inspections or alterations to an existing Septic Tank Permit?
To make the application process easier, please contact our Business Concierge before you start.
For the application, you will need:
- Land Title
- Site and Floor Plan
- Plan for the Proposed Septic System
More information
Septic Tanks and Waste Water Systems
Starting or changing a hair or beauty business
If you answer yes to any of the following questions you'll likely need a Hair and Beauty Business Permit:
More information
Hair and beauty businesses
Trading or advertising on a footpath
If you answer yes to any of the following questions you'll likely need a Footpath Trading Permit:
- Do you plan on having street activation (umbrellas, pots and planter boxes)?
- Do you plan on displaying goods (i.e. fruit, vegetables, flowers etc.)?
- Do you plan on using advertising signage (i.e. A-Frames, sandwich boards etc.)?
- Do you plan on having outdoor dining?
To make the application process easier, before applying, please ensure that you have:
- A copy of your Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance (minimum $10,000,000.00 cover)
- Site Plan or Photos of the proposed layout of footpath trading
- Current Liquor Licence (if service of Alcohol permit is required)
- Liquor Licence Red Line Plan (if service of Alcohol permit is required)
- A copy of your Business Association Membership (if applicable)
Please ensure you read and understand our Footpath Trading Policy before applying.
More information
Footpath Trading
Transferring a business
If you answer yes to the following question you'll likely need a Transfer of Business Permit:
More information
Contact our Environmental Health team on (03) 5018 8100.
Starting or changing a domestic animal business
If you answer yes to any of the following questions you'll likely need a Domestic Animal Business Permit:
- Do you intend to open a pet shop?
- Do you intend to open an animal shelter?
- Do you intend to conduct boarding (kennel, cattery or home boarding)?
- Do you intend on breeding dogs / cats?
- Do you intend on breeding, boarding or training Greyhounds?
To make the application process easier, before applying, please ensure that you have:
- A copy of the type of records that will be kept in relation to each animal in association with the Domestic Animal Business Permit.
Application-for-Registration-of-a-Domestic-Animal-Business.pdf(PDF, 194KB)