Do I need a permit?

Overview

Whether you are starting or growing your business, you will likely need a permit to operate – some businesses may need more than one permit. This brief questionnaire below will help you determine the permits you may need.

Planning Permit

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you'll likely need a planning permit:

  • Are you changing the business type from what is currently is?
  • Are you making any changes to the trading hours of your business?
  • Are you applying for or altering a liquor licence?
  • Are you adding or changing signage?
  • Are you looking to do any work on a heritage listed building (including minor works like paint)?
  • Do you have a car park or are you seeking to make any changes to the available car parking?

Click to go to Planning Permits.

Click to go to Business Approvals Support 

Building Permit

If you answer yes to the following questions you may need to apply for a building permit:

  • Are you planning on carrying out any internal fit outs or alterations on your premises?
  • Are you going to be carrying 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 business type from what is currently is?
  • 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)

Click to go to Building Permits.

Click to go to Business Approvals Support

Food Permit

If you answer yes to the following questions, you'll likely need a food permit:

  • Do you intend to sell food or drink at your business? 

Click to go to Food Business Information.

Click to go to Business Approvals Support

Health Permit

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you'll likely need a health permit:

  • Do you intend to sell health related services such as hairdressing, beauty treatments, tattooing, skin penetration or piercings?
  • Are you opening an accommodation business such as a hotel, motel, hostel, student dorms, holiday camps, rooming house or residential accommodation?

Click to go to health business information.

Click to go to Business Approvals Support

Septic Tank Permit

If you answer yes to the following questions, you'll likely need a septic tank permit:

  • Is your building located in an area that is not connected to the sewerage system, such as any areas outside of the main towns?

Click to go to Septic Tank information.

Click to go to Business Approvals Support 

Footpath Trading Permit

If you answer yes to the following questions, you'll likely need a footpath trading permit:

  • Are you looking to have an A-Frame sign, or other type of sign out the front of your business?
  • Will your business have an outdoor dining area?
  • Will there be any additional works outside the front of your business, such as umbrellas, pots and planter boxes?
  • Will there be a display of goods out the front of your business? 

Click to go to Footpath Trading information.

Click to go to Business Approvals Support