Most business operators need to obtain business licenses in Australia in order to lawfully carry out their operations. The obligation to have a valid business authorization in Australia can depend on the business sector and the state where the company is incorporated.
Our Australian lawyers can provide the necessary legal support during the process of obtaining business licenses in Australia, and can help investors apply for business permits as well (they represent a different type of authorization a commercial unit may need).
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Types of licenses in Australia
The Australian legislation provides for a variety of business licenses, designed for various economic sectors. A business license refers to a document that testifies that a company has the right to develop a specific business activity and, depending on its type, it can be issued at a local, state or federal level.
A trade license in Australia shows that an individual has the necessary expertise and education to develop a specific work activity in accordance with the person’s chosen trade.
In order to obtain a specific business license in Australia, company owners must meet a set of requirements, which must be maintained throughout the entire lifetime of the company. Otherwise, the business may suffer various penalties, as prescribed by the law. In the list below, our lawyers in Australia present some of the basic licenses a company will need:
- the national police certificate (required when a company employs workforce);
- the standard vehicle registration (necessary for businesses that own vehicles);
- specialized licenses (they apply to specific business activities);
- commercial activity license (imposed to legal entities engaging in commercial activities).
Companies may also need to apply for food and liquor licenses, provided that they are involved in the manufacture and the sale of these goods. Also, companies that want to play background music (as it can be the case of supermarkets and other similar stores), will need a license that will allow them to engage in this activity.
Please know that obtaining business licenses in Australia can be influenced by the legal entity of the company as well, as different rules can apply to sole traders for instance, in comparison to partnerships or companies. Our law firm in Australia can provide more details on when such differences can appear.
The conditions that apply for the issuance of a license vary greatly based on many factors, including the size of the office (or commercial space), or if the company operates through a business registered outside Australia. Given the complexity of the procedure, our Australian law firm can offer further information.
Our lawyers can help you complete the complex application process. The Australian authorities have made available an online service, the Australian Business License and Information Service (ABLIS), where businessmen can verify the types of licenses that can be required here.
Please know that differences can appear from one state to another, for instance, the Queensland Government authorities may apply slightly different rules than the ones imposed by the New South Wales Government.
What are the fees charged for obtaining business licenses in Australia?
Regardless of the type of license a company needs, local authorities will charge processing fees, unless specific exemptions apply. The fees vary greatly from one industry to another and they also differ within the same industry. In the list below, our lawyers present the fees charged for food businesses operating in Sydney:
- temporary food premises administration fee ($175 or $243);
- temporary food event stalls (the fees vary from $265 to $2,000, depending on the number of stalls);
- food administration fee ($390 to $1497 – it varies based on the number of food handlers the company hired);
- mobile food vending businesses ($400 – food truck or $600 – food van).
The fees are available for the financial year of 2024-2025. It must be noted that other fees can apply, such as the inspection fee. Our lawyers in Sydney can provide further details.
We invite you to contact our attorneys in Australia for more information on the local business permits and licenses. We can also advise on the trade license in Australia.