You may require this approval if you intend to conduct works over an easement.

An easement is an area of land, or part of an allotment, reserved by law to allow provision of common state or municipal controlled infrastructure for a specific purpose, which may include:

• drainage pipelines
• municipal services
• natural gas lines
• power and telephone lines
• water and sewage mains.

Easements need to remain free from obstruction, to allow access for infrastructure service providers. Works on areas covered by easements that may require approval include activities such as:

• building or demolition
• drainage, pipeline and ancillary works
• excavation or removal of any matter from or deposit any matter on the land
• construction or maintenance or removal of roads, tracks or fences on the land.

You may require this approval if you intend to conduct works over an easement.

An easement is an area of land, or part of an allotment, reserved by law to allow provision of common state or municipal controlled infrastructure for a specific purpose, which may include:

• drainage pipelines
• municipal services
• natural gas lines
• power and telephone lines
• water and sewage mains.

Easements need to remain free from obstruction, to allow access for infrastructure service providers. Works on areas covered by easements that may require approval include activities such as:

• building or demolition
• drainage, pipeline and ancillary works
• excavation or removal of any matter from or deposit any matter on the land
• construction or maintenance or removal of roads, tracks or fences on the land.

You will need to apply for this approval to install plumbing from private property to connect to water authority infrastructure.This includes:

• a new water connection
• a new sewer connection
• a new recycled water connection (where applicable)
• making changes to existing connection.

Additional approval may be required depending on the severity of works required.

Please consult the responsible agency for more information and to ascertain the level of compliance (if any) that may be required.

You will need this permit if you intend to build or landscape in a way that may impact council owned property. The types of activities that may need this permit include:   

• construction
• renovation
• alternation
• demolition
• relocation or removal of a building
• landscaping
• concreting
• subdivision road construction.

This permit helps the council protect public property against damage due to building work. It also helps protects owners and builders against paying for pre-existing damage on public property.

Your council may require you to pay a deposit or bond prior to commencing works.

You will need this permit if you intend to build or landscape in a way that may impact council owned property. The types of activities that may need this permit include:   

• construction
• renovation
• alternation
• demolition
• relocation or removal of a building
• landscaping
• concreting
• subdivision road construction.

This permit helps the council protect public property against damage due to building work. It also helps protects owners and builders against paying for pre-existing damage on public property.

Your council may require you to pay a deposit or bond prior to commencing works.

You may need this certificate for employment, occupation-related licensing, registration, voluntary work, immigration or other related purposes. It provides a summary of your offender history in Australia.

You must use this Australian Federal Police (AFP) certificate if your request is for Commonwealth or Australian Capital Territory reasons.

You might need a national police check for things such as:

• recruitment and job applications
• volunteer and not-for-profit positions
• working with children or vulnerable groups
• licensing or registration scheme applications
• work-related checks due to legislation or regulations
• Australian citizenship and permanent residence applications
• visa applications for some countries
• working overseas.

Other States and Territories conduct their own police checks within their own jurisdictions.

You will need this permit if you intend to conduct building work. A building permit certifies that the proposed building work complies with the relevant building regulations.

Before applying for a building permit, you need to appoint a registered building surveyor. You apply for a building permit through your building surveyor.

Building work is broadly defined. You should consult with the relevant Council to determine the exemptions that apply.

A building permit cannot be issued until a relevant planning permit (if required) is obtained.

A building permit will specify that either an occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection is required on completion of the building work.

You will need this permit if you intend to conduct building work. A building permit certifies that the proposed building work complies with the relevant building regulations.

Before applying for a building permit, you need to appoint a registered building surveyor. You apply for a building permit through your building surveyor.

Building work is broadly defined. You should consult with the relevant Council to determine the exemptions that apply.

A building permit cannot be issued until a relevant planning permit (if required) is obtained.

A building permit will specify that either an occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection is required on completion of the building work.

Your building permit will specify if you require a certificate of final inspection from your appointed building surveyor.

This certificate is generally required if an occupancy permit is not required.  Extensions and alterations to existing homes do not require an occupancy permit, as the existing building should already have an occupancy permit.

Your building permit will specify if you require a certificate of final inspection from your appointed building surveyor.

This certificate is generally required if an occupancy permit is not required.  Extensions and alterations to existing homes do not require an occupancy permit, as the existing building should already have an occupancy permit.

Most businesses will need a child employment licence to employ children under 15 years old in Victoria, whether the work is paid or voluntary. 

A child must be: 

• 11 to deliver newspapers and advertising material
• 13 to deliver pharmaceutical products or do other types of work, such as retail or hospitality. 

There is no minimum age for working in entertainment, but there are industry-specific requirements.  If you will be employing children in the entertainment industry, you must apply for an entertainment specific licence. 

Children can only be employed for light work, that is not harmful to their health, safety, wellbeing and development. A child cannot work: 

• on a building site
• on a fishing boat 
• selling door-to-door. 

Use the Child Employment Decision Tool  to find out if you need to apply for a licence. Where a licence is granted, a business can employ multiple children under one licence. 
 

You will require this licence if you intend to drive a motor vehicle in Victoria. A full driver's licence is granted through various stages of competency known as learner and provisional licences. A motor vehicle includes a car, motorcycle, boat or marine vessel.

There are various classes of licence available, including:

• car
• motorcycle
• marine
• tractor
• light rigid
• medium rigid
• heavy rigid
• heavy combination
• multi combination.

You may need this certificate if you intend to own land in:

• Cardinia
• Casey
• Hume
• Melton
• Mitchell
• Whittlesea
• Wyndham.

The liability to pay GAIC only arises once in relation to land at the first occurrence of a GAIC event, although payment may be deferred in certain circumstances.

It is a one off-contribution, payable on certain events, usually associated with urban property developments, such as buying, subdividing, and applying for a building permit on large blocks of land.

In most instances, if you are buying a new home on a residential lot in the contribution area, your developer will have already paid the GAIC as part of developing the land.

However, if you buy or own an existing property, your land may be affected. GAIC certificates are issued at no charge, and tell you the GAIC status of land and what, if any, liability exists.

You will need to pay land transfer duty if you buy property in Victoria. The amount payable depends on:

• the value and purpose of the property
• whether you are a foreign purchaser
• whether any exemptions or concessions apply.

Land transfer duty is based on the greater value of either of the following at the point of entering the contract for sale:

• the market value of the property
• the price paid (including GST).

You will need a licence or lease agreement if you intend to use any land, building, vessel, pontoon or other part of the Docklands area for any purpose on a regular and ongoing basis, including special events. The details and conditions of the granted licence or lease will vary according to your intended use and must fit within the stated aims and functions of the Docklands precinct.

A National Police Certificate is a full record of your criminal history. It displays all releasable court outcomes (sentences, convictions and findings of guilt) from all Australian States and Territories.

Many regulators will need you to provide a National Police Certificate as part of the application process for a licence, registration or other approval. Employers or volunteer organisations may also need you to provide a National Police Certificate before you commence employment or volunteer work.

An application may be made by you as an individual, or on behalf of the organisation that needs the information (with your consent).

Victoria Police will conduct nation-wide name checks and deliver the results to you or the organisation requiring the information. Generally, information such as an individual's criminal history cannot be released by Victoria Police to an organisation without written consent, and strict guidelines apply to the release of criminal history information to any individual or organisations.

Please read the Information Release Policy to be aware of the information released as a result of the check.

Victoria Police does not conduct checks for overseas applicants or applicants for residency or citizenship. These applicants must apply to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Please visit the Australian Federal Police website for further details.

Your building permit will specify if you require an occupancy permit from your appointed building surveyor.

An occupancy permit confirms your building surveyor is satisfied the building is suitable for occupation.

The owner or the builder may apply for the occupancy permit.

You may obtain approval from your building surveyor to temporarily occupy a building for which there is not an occupancy permit for the use of that building.

Your building permit will specify if you require an occupancy permit from your appointed building surveyor.

An occupancy permit confirms your building surveyor is satisfied the building is suitable for occupation.

The owner or the builder may apply for the occupancy permit.

You may obtain approval from your building surveyor to temporarily occupy a building for which there is not an occupancy permit for the use of that building.

You will require this permit if you intend to place furniture for the purpose of establishing an outdoor eating facility or conduct street trading (display of goods or A-frame signs) in a public place.

Public places include:

• roads
• footpaths
• any land that is owned, occupied, maintained, or managed by a local council.

Please consult the relevant council for more information.

You will need this permit if you intend to operate an outdoor dining facility in on-street car parking bays directly outside your business, or the neighbouring business with permission.

A parklet is a car parking bay repurposed to create space for hospitality businesses to extend their trading.

You will require this permit if you intend to display, hand out or distribute:

• handbills
• notices
• pamphlets
• flyers
• any other form of advertising or promotional material to persons or premises.

You will require this permit if you intend to put up a hoarding, scaffolding or gantry on public or council owned land, this includes roads, footpaths and nature strips.

Hoardings are high temporary fences or structures enclosing a demolition site or a building site during building works, to restrict access and provide protection to the public.

Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures.

Gantry means a structure, which covers a public way and provides protection from both the side and overhead from building and / or maintenance works.

While hoardings on public land are most commonly erected around a construction site, they can also be erected for other purposes such as painting or erecting a sign. At least 1.5 metres of footpath must be kept clear for pedestrians and the area occupied must be securely barricaded for public safety.

You will require this permit if you intend to put up a hoarding, scaffolding or gantry on public or council owned land, this includes roads, footpaths and nature strips.

Hoardings are high temporary fences or structures enclosing a demolition site or a building site during building works, to restrict access and provide protection to the public.

Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures.

Gantry means a structure, which covers a public way and provides protection from both the side and overhead from building and / or maintenance works.

While hoardings on public land are most commonly erected around a construction site, they can also be erected for other purposes such as painting or erecting a sign. At least 1.5 metres of footpath must be kept clear for pedestrians and the area occupied must be securely barricaded for public safety.

You will require this permit if you intend to place a storage or bulk rubbish container on a road. A bulk rubbish container is a bin, skip, container or other structure designed or used for holding a substantial quantity of rubbish and which is unlikely to be lifted without mechanical assistance.

This does not include any container used in connection with your council's regular domestic rubbish collections.

You will require this permit if you intend to place a storage or bulk rubbish container on a road. A bulk rubbish container is a bin, skip, container or other structure designed or used for holding a substantial quantity of rubbish and which is unlikely to be lifted without mechanical assistance.

This does not include any container used in connection with your council's regular domestic rubbish collections.

You will require this permit if you intend to place furniture in a public place for the purpose of serving food and / or drinks to customers, or for other commercial purposes.

Public places are either:

• roads
• footpaths
• any land that is owned, occupied, maintained, or managed by a local council.

Furniture includes:

• tables
• chairs
• seats
• umbrellas
• planter boxes
• heaters
• booths or stalls
• awnings
• any other similar articles, or facilities.

Please consult the Contact Officer for more information.

You will require this permit if you intend to place an advertising sign, banner or flag on a building, road or footpath. For example, approval may be required for the placement of A-frame sandwich boards, business signage on a building, temporary or movable / mobile signs.

Approval may also be required for the use of commercial signage mounted on vehicles and / or trailers.

Placing movable advertising signs / A-frame sandwich boards on a footpath may require permission under a footpath trading application.

It is recommended that you contact your local council prior to erecting, placing or affixing any type of signage.

You will require this permit if you intend to place an advertising sign, banner or flag on a building, road or footpath. For example, approval may be required for the placement of A-frame sandwich boards, business signage on a building, temporary or movable / mobile signs.

Approval may also be required for the use of commercial signage mounted on vehicles and / or trailers.

Placing movable advertising signs / A-frame sandwich boards on a footpath may require permission under a footpath trading application.

It is recommended that you contact your local council prior to erecting, placing or affixing any type of signage.

This permit is required to plant or interfere with vegetation on a nature strip or council land.

For example, you will require council permission to plant flowers or shrubs, construct a garden bed on a nature strip, or to prune, trim, lop or uproot trees.

Your council may have specific restrictions on interference with significant trees - including undertaking works nearby. Significant trees have cultural, historical, or horticultural significance, have large trunk diameter, or form part of a canopy.

This permit is required to plant or interfere with vegetation on a nature strip or council land.

For example, you will require council permission to plant flowers or shrubs, construct a garden bed on a nature strip, or to prune, trim, lop or uproot trees.

Your council may have specific restrictions on interference with significant trees - including undertaking works nearby. Significant trees have cultural, historical, or horticultural significance, have large trunk diameter, or form part of a canopy.

You will require this certificate if you need to find out how an area of land has been zoned or if there are any special conditions applicable to it under your local council's planning scheme.

You may require this planning certificate if you are partaking in the sale of land in which you must provide certain details or when proposing development of land.

You may require this permit if you intend to use or develop land, or change the use or development of land which is subject to the relevant planning scheme. A permit is not always required as some planning schemes allow some changes in land use without the need for a permit, provided conditions are met. 

The relevant council is normally the first point of contact for permit applications.

You can apply for straightforward planning permit applications via VicSmart.  This is a streamlined assessment process for planning permits for proposals that involve minor subdivisions, buildings and works, tree removal and lopping, small advertising signs, and car parking reductions.

The State Project Concierge is available to help businesses to map out the planning approvals or pathways for projects with complex approvals processes. In such instances, the Concierge will be the single point of contact and will coordinate internal and external stakeholders to overcome barriers to progress.

You may require this permit if you intend to use or develop land, or change the use or development of land which is subject to the relevant planning scheme. A permit is not always required as some planning schemes allow some changes in land use without the need for a permit, provided conditions are met. 

The relevant council is normally the first point of contact for permit applications.

You can apply for straightforward planning permit applications via VicSmart.  This is a streamlined assessment process for planning permits for proposals that involve minor subdivisions, buildings and works, tree removal and lopping, small advertising signs, and car parking reductions.

The State Project Concierge is available to help businesses to map out the planning approvals or pathways for projects with complex approvals processes. In such instances, the Concierge will be the single point of contact and will coordinate internal and external stakeholders to overcome barriers to progress.

You may need this registration if you intend to establish an exclusive brand for your business or distinguish your goods or services from those of other businesses.

A trade mark is a type of intellectual property (IP) right which distinguishes your unique brand, product or service from other competitors in the market. A trade mark can be used to protect your business name or aspects of your brand. 

Trade marks can be registered or unregistered. A registered trade mark generally provides stronger legal protection than an unregistered trade mark.

Trade marks can be used to protect a logo, phrase, word, letter, colour, sound, smell, picture, movement, aspect of packaging or any combination of these.

You will need this registration if you or your company employ workers in Victoria. You will need to register for WorkCover insurance if you pay more than $7500 in wages per financial year, or you employ apprentices or trainees. Your registration form must be received within 60 days of the date you first meet these requirements.

The purpose of this compulsory insurance arrangement is to provide your business with insurance coverage for the cost of workers compensation entitlements if any of your workers are injured or become ill because of their work. Entitlements may include replacement of lost income, medical and rehabilitation treatment costs, legal costs or, in the event of a serious injury, lump sum compensation.

Sole-traders or partners to a partnership are not considered to be employees for insurance purposes. However, directors and executive officers of a company who are paid wages are considered to be employees.

You must register if your entity is a 'foreign company' that intends to carry on business in Australia.  A 'foreign company' is generally a company registered outside Australia.

You will require this registration if you have an obligation to collect tax from payments you make to employees and some businesses. You are required to withhold tax if any of the following apply:

• you have employees
• you have other workers, such as contractors, and you enter into voluntary agreements to withhold amounts from your payments to them
• you make payments to businesses that don't quote their Australian business number (ABN).

You must apply to register for PAYG withholding before you are first required to withhold an amount from a payment.

You are required to pay Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) if you provide any benefit to an employee or an employees' associate (e.g. a family member, etc).

Benefits include any rights, privileges or services you supply to an employee in relation to their employment. For instance, you are required to pay FBT if you:

• allow an employee to use a work car for private purposes
• give an employee a cheap loan
• reimburse an expense incurred by your employee (e.g. school fees)
• provide entertainment by way of food, drink or recreation.

FBT is separate from income tax and is based on the taxable value of any benefits you provide. You can process your FBT via your monthly or quarterly Business Activity Statement (BAS).

Please note that you are required to pay FBT whether:

• these benefits are provided by you, an associate of yours or a third party under an arrangement with you
• an employee is a current, future or former employee.

Some employers, including charities, may need to work out the status of their workers. Many will be volunteers, however, some will be contractors and employees. Generally, benefits provided to volunteers and contractors do not attract FBT.

You can register for FBT online, by phone, though your registered tax agent or by lodging your annual FTB return.

If you are an employer in Victoria and your wage bill goes over a monthly threshold, you will have to pay payroll tax. From 1 July 2024, payroll tax applies if you pay wages in Victoria and your Australian wages exceed the monthly threshold of $75,000. The payroll tax rate is 4.85% except for regional Victorian employers.

If you employ or plan to employ working holiday makers with either a visa subclass 417 or 462, you must register as an employer of working holiday makers before making the first payment to them.

Please note that to register as an employer of working holiday makers you must first be registered for PAYG withholding and that you should check visa status of the worker using Visa Entitlement Verification Online Service.

You will need to register for a tax file number (TFN) if you intend to work and earn a wage in Australia or operate a company in Australia and pay wages to staff.

Companies that operate within Australia and persons that earn a wage may be required to pay some of their income to the Australian Government in the form of tax.

A TFN is a unique number issued by the Australian Government for all entities with a potential income tax role. Its primary purpose is to identify you for tax purposes in all dealings with the Australian Government.

Companies and other organisations can apply for a TFN online through the Australian Business Register.

The online option is available for a:

• company
• partnership
• trust
• other organisation – such as an unincorporated company, club or association.

You need this permit if you intend to erect tourist signs within road reserves in Victoria. Tourist signs are signs which give direction or guidance to tourist attractions, accommodations and facilities of interest to tourists.

Tourist signs do not include advertising signs.

You will require this registration if you intend to use a motor vehicle or trailer on a public road. It is illegal to use an unregistered motor vehicle or trailer on a public road.

There are four broad registration classes:

• standard motor vehicles (cars, 4WDs, vans, trucks, motorcycles, prime movers and buses
• trailers (including caravans)
• recreational motorcycles (motorcycles intended for use on local and forest roads outside built up areas)
• miscellaneous vehicles (vehicles designed for specific tasks such as tractors, backhoes, crane, street sweepers).

Trailers that weigh less than 200 kilograms, are not wider than its towing vehicle and are not more than 3m long are exempt from the requirement to be registered. A motor vehicle that is being towed is also exempt, as are trailers used for certain agricultural purposes.

If you are moving to Victoria permanently, or have bought a vehicle with interstate registration, you will be required to register it in Victoria.

If you wish to have a particular registration number assigned to your vehicle you may purchase registration number rights from the Agency.

You need this licence to use copyrighted music within your workplace or as telephone on hold music for your business or organisation.

This licence covers the use of music in:

• staff recreation and lunchroom areas
• back docks and on the factory floor
• staff gyms and staff libraries
• events and office parties
• training sessions
• presentations
• by staff from computers or personal devices
• the telephone on hold system on lines for external calls.

This licence legally authorises the public performance of copyrighted music from within the Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA AMCOS) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) global inventory of registered songs (called works), sound recordings and music videos.

Your licence will be obtained from OneMusic Australia and covers the rights of the above two organisations.