Accommodation businesses

1. Consider utilising Council's Business Concierge service

Council's Business Concierge service is designed to take the stress out of getting various Council permits and make the process as smooth as possible. As part of the service, all staff from relevant departments will discuss your proposal and then provide a summary about what information will be required to obtain necessary permits.

2. Apply for other permits (if required)

A planning permit may be required depending on the type of accommodation and location.

If building works are proposed as part of your business you may require a building permit.

3. Understand relevant health regulations

The applicable regulations are the Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020, which set out minimum standards for prescribed accommodation.

These requirements relate to:

• Overcrowding and minimum room sizes;
• Maintenance;
• Cleanliness;
• Water supply to toilets, bathrooms, kitchens laundry and drinking water facilities;
• Sewage and wastewater management;
• Waste management;
• Adequate number of toilets and bathing facilities; and
• Register of occupants.

4. Request assessment of plans and/or a pre-registration inspection (optional)

To obtain guidance specific to your business proposal, you may wish to request:

• A pre-registration inspection; and/or
• Assessment of floor plans.

Throughout these processes you will then be provided with tailored advice to help ensure that your premises will be structurally compliant with applicable standards. This service is typically free of charge. A fee may apply if you request for more than one potential site to be reviewed.

Registration fees vary, depending on:

• Number of persons accommodated; and
• Time of year you apply (pro-rata is applied for initial registration).

The applicable fee will be added when you apply via the online form, and credit card payment will be required as part of the final step before your application is submitted.

As a guide, please refer to the table below.

To register a prescribed accommodation premises you will need to apply online via the button below and provide:

• Applicant details;
• Owner details;
• Trading details;
• Business type details;
• Number of persons to be accommodated;
• Number of bedrooms;
• Number of beds;
• Fee payment (via credit card).

Apply to register a prescribed accommodation premises

1. Application review

 Your application will be assigned and reviewed by an Environmental Health Officer.

2. Contact with an Environmental Health Officer

Within 14 days, you will be contacted by an Environmental Health Officer to discuss:

• Your application; Whether any further information is required; and
• A suitable time to inspect the premises.

3. Inspection of premises

An inspection will be completed to ensure that the premises is compliant with relevant structural standards. During this time, the officer will also talk to you about other practices which are important to prevent the spread of infection.

4. Completion of any corrective action

Any required corrective action (relating to non-compliance items identified) will then need to be completed. A follow up inspection may be conducted to verify compliance or you may be requested to provide evidence of completion (such as photos).

5. Commence trading

 A certificate of registration will then be issued and you can commence trading.

If you take over an existing registered accommodation:

1. Submit application to transfer registration

You must firstly apply to transfer the registration into your name before operating via the following form - (PDF, 43KB)Application to transfer a prescribed accommodation premises(PDF, 73KB).

2. Fee payment

Once your transfer application has been received, you will be contacted by a Customer Service Officer to take fee payment over the phone via credit card.

Applicable transfer fees are as follows:

3. Premises inspection

An Environmental Health Officer will then arrange to conduct an inspection of the premises.

4. Certificate of registration

After a transfer inspection has been completed, a Certificate of Registration will be issued to the new proprietor.

For more information or inspection/plans assessment requests, please contact Council's Environmental Health Unit on (03) 5221 0600 or ehadmin@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.