Permits and regulatory legal requirements

Depending on the type of business you’re starting, you may need one or more permits from Council and ensure your business complies with the relevant regulation requirements. The following regulations, permits and registrations may be applicable.

If you’re unsure about what permits and or registration may be required to set up or expand your business, contact our Business Concierge service.

Planning Scheme and planning permits

The Planning Scheme contains policies and provisions that control land use, development, car parking, signage, selling/serving liquor and home based businesses. If you are unfamiliar with planning schemes, see the Guide toVictoria's planning system. You can also use VicPlan website to download a planning property report for properties within Victoria.

A planning permit is a legal document that gives permission under the Planning Scheme. Find out more about planning permits.

Building regulations and building permits

All buildings and construction/alteration projects need to satisfy requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) building classifications and building regulatory framework. 

A building permit is a legal document that gives permission under the above building regulations from a registered Building Surveyor. Find out more about building permits.

Food Act registration

If you want to sell food or any type of drinks to the public, you need to register with or, notify the City's Environmental Health Unit. Learn more about starting a new food business and the registration requirements.

Health and beauty businesses - Public Health and Wellbeing Act

If you want to open a new health or beauty business, you will need to be registered under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act with the City's Environmental Health Unit. 

Business services requiring registration include:

• Hairdressing
• Beauty therapy (waxing, threading, manicuring, laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), spray tanning, eyelash extensions etc),
• Body piercing
• Colonic irrigation
• Tattooing

Learn more about health and beauty business registration requirements.

Accommodation registration - Public Health and Wellbeing Act

Several types of businesses providing accommodation services need to be registered annually under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act with the City's Environmental Health Unit, to ensure basic hygiene standards are met.

Learn about which accommodation premises must be registered.

Footpath trading permits

Footpath trading includes any commercial activity on the footpath, find out more about footpath trading permits.

Footpath trading permits include the following: Al fresco outdoor dining permit, A-frame permit, Real estate agent portable sign permits and Footpath trading permits. 

Filming Permit

Any filming or commercial photography in the Geelong region will require a filming permit, find out more about Filming in Geelong. 

Busking Permit

All buskers, performers, spruikers, and pavement artists need to have a busking permit.

Events Permit

Events held on Council controlled or managed open space may require an event permit.

Domestic Animal Business Permits - Code of Practice 

Domestic animal businesses must be registered with the City of Greater Geelong and comply with the appropriate mandatory Code of Practice, visit the Domestic Animal Businesses section of our website for more information.

Responsibilities of a domestic animal business as defined under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 can be found on the Animal Welfare Victoria website and applicable Code of Practice requirements. 

Request to book a sporting ground or park

Sports and personal training on Councils reserves and sporting grounds require a booking.

Please note: If you're interested in the Geelong Waterfront public open space for fitness/personal training, apply here. 

State and Federal licences and registrations 

The following websites help to understand what business regulation requirements you will need to comply with, to lawfully start and operate a business:

• The Australian Government Business Registration Service combines several business and tax registrations in one place, making it even easier to start a business. You can apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and register your business name online.
• Please also check the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) guided search, which will help you determine any applicable State and Federal licences, regulations compliance requirements you need to help start and grow your business.
• Maintain an honest reputation by complying with Australian consumer and fair trading laws.
• Check if your business requires licensing or registration from Consumer Affairs Victoria.
•  The Victorian State Government regulates liquor licensing, sale and supply of liquor.
• If your business is involved in manufacturing, food preparation or other commercial processes that generate wastewater, you need to apply to Barwon Water for consent to discharge your trade waste into Barwon Waters sewerage system.