Do I need a Permit for my Business?

There are a range of permits or registrations your business might need including:

• Planning: includes permits for subdividing land, use of land, use of building for business, displaying signs, street trading and other statutory planning requirements. Click for more information on Council's planning services.
• Building: includes building permits that relate to the method of construction of a building or development, and the use of the building to ensure it meets relevant building codes. Click for more information on Council's building services.
• Health: includes registration and certificates required for wastewater and septic systems, food premises, accommodation premises, hairdressers, beauty premises and tattoo premises.
• Community Safety: includes traders' parking permits, domestic animal business permits, and footpath trading permits for furniture, display items or A frames placed on the footpath or on council land. 

Prepare for your Application

Spend time now preparing to get your application right. Providing the right information and using the professional assistance of a quality draftsperson or planning consultant (if required) can save time on the assessment and may get the doors to your business open sooner.

What is your Business Idea?

Start by writing down what you know about your business proposal. You will need to be able to describe the type of business you want to set up and how it will operate in some detail.

Background Research

These links below will provide you with a range of advice and tools to assist your business preparation:

• Business Victoria - information on setting up a business
• VicPlan Property Zone & Overlay - create a free PDF planning property report
• Australian Taxation Office - record keeping for business
• Victorian Land Registry Services - find a copy of your title
• Liquor Licensing (VCGLR) - understand the processes for liquor licenses
• Small Business Mentoring Service - get advice and support

Our Business Kit also provides some useful information for businesses in Hindmarsh.

What permits do I need?

We have developed a Business Permit Checklist to help you understand which permits you may need to apply for. Once the form is submitted a Council officer will be in touch with you.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE OUR BUSINESS PERMIT CHECKLIST

Permit Support Meeting

If you need multiple permits, the Economic Development Team can arrange a meeting with you and the relevant Council departments to get advice on what information you'll need to include in your application. Simply complete the Business Permit Checklist that is linked above (if you haven't already) and we will contact you to arrange a meeting. These meetings are free.

You are ready to apply!

Once you have your business proposal, you know which permits you need to apply for and what information you need to provide, you are ready to apply.

Once you have completed the Business Permit Checklist and/or spoken with our team to confirm which permit(s) that your business requires, you are ready to apply.

To find the links for your application forms, click below:

•  Planning Permits
•  Building Permits
•  Environmental Health Permits (includes the following)
  •  Food Business Registration
  •  Health Premises Registration
  •  Accommodation Premises Registration
  •  Wastewater System Permit
•  Street Furniture Permit

Assessment Process

Once your permit application form has been submitted, we will begin assessing your application.

Receiving the Application

The Economic Development Team is available as your point of contact throughout this process. The teams in each permit department will be assigned to your application, and they will contact you to advise the expected timelines to assess your application. You are welcome to contact the permit teams directly to check on the status of your application but you can always keep connected with Economic Development for general support through the approvals process.

Permit Payments

There are standard fees that apply to all permit types. The details of your application will determine the exact fees and charges. A team member from the relevant department will contact you after you submit your application to confirm the final fee and payment details.

Requests for Further Information

You may receive a request for further information during the assessment phase. Please be prompt in responding to any requests as a slow response may delay a decision on your application.

Once we have finished our assessment, we will be in touch to confirm our decision.

If your application is approved, we will email you a copy of your permit or registration and, where appropriate, hard copies will also be mailed to you.

When you are ready to open the doors, our Economic Development team will assist you to hit the ground running by flagging services or grants that will help your business to grow and succeed.

Thank you for choosing Hindmarsh as a place to start or grow your business.

Our Economic Development team are available to provide advice and support for businesses.

We're your first point of contact before you apply, during the application process, and after you open the doors.

We can provide information up-front and discuss the steps you'll need to take to open your business. We'll clarify who to speak to and the support available from Council or other organisations, based on your circumstances.

At any time, we're here to give you the right information before you sign a lease or purchase a property, to avoid you making costly mistakes.

You can call our Economic Development team on 03 5391 4444 or email us at info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.